Plants That Are Toxic to Cats

While plants and flowers are a great way to decorate, not every plant is safe for your home and yard. We all know poison oak shouldn’t be touched, and to keep poinsettias away from our pets, but there are some of blooms that may have toxic properties that are dangerous to cats.

If you are keeping any sort of plants around your home, you should be aware of which ones can pose a threat to the safety of your cat. And, because cats love to climb and explore, it’s difficult to keep plants out of their reach.  It’s important to accurately identify the plants to which your cat will be exposed so that you can keep him safe and healthy. When in doubt, remove the plant from your home or yard.

If you do nothing more than ban Lilies and Poinsettias from your house, you’ll be much closer to preventing your cat from plant poisoning. These two seasonal plants are common holiday additions to many households, but should be banned permanently from homes with pets.

If a plant is poisonous, assume all parts of the plant are poisonous, even though some parts of the plant may have higher concentrations of the toxic principle than others. Many toxic plants are irritants: they cause inflammation of the skin, mouth, stomach, etc. The toxic principle in other plants may only affect a particular organ like the kidney or heart.

Please note that many of these plants are popular flowers used in arrangements. Even though a cat owner has taken great care to ensure their home and yard is free from these toxic plants, any flower arrangements brought into the home should also be kept out of reach of your cat.

The following is a listing of plants that are toxic to cats, as well as the most commonly encountered toxic plants:

• Amaryllis (Amaryllis sp.)
• Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
• Azaleas and Rhododendrons (Rhododendron sp.)
• Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
• Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum sp.)
• Cyclamen (Cyclamen sp.)
• English Ivy (Hedera helix)
• Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe sp.)
• Lilies (Lilium sp.)
• Marijuana (Cannabis sativa)
• Oleander (Nerium oleander)
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.)
• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
• Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
• Spanish thyme (Coleus ampoinicus)
• Tulip and Narcissus bulbs (Tulipa and Narcissus sp.)
• Yew (Taxus sp.)

Below is a comprehensive listing with links to photos of the plants:

**Note this is a partial list of the most common plants and flowers. Should your cat eat a plant or flower, call your local poison control office or veterinarian. They can answer any questions and advise in actions needed to counteract poisons.

Flowers and plants that cause rashes
(Dermatitis)

Agapanthus
Cactus – Punctures skin, infection
Chrysanthemums
Ficus (Fig)
Poison Ivy
Poison Oak
Pothos Ivy (in small amounts)
Primrose
Schefflera
Sumac  (Poison Sumac)

Flowers and plants that cause upset stomachs
(Vomiting, diarrhea, and gas)

Agapanthus
Amaryllis
Aster
Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila)
Boxwood
Cala Lily
Carnation
Chrysanthemums
Clematis
Cyclamen
Daffodil (Jonquil)
English Ivy
Freesia
Gladiolas
Holly
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Kalanchoe
Peony
Morning Glory
Poinsettia
Pothos Ivy
Scheifflera
Tulip

Flowers and plants that cause organ damage
(Kidney, liver, stomach, heart, etc.)

Azalea (in small amounts)
Cardboard Palm
Crocus
Foxglove
Lily

Flowers and plants that cause death

Azalea (in large amounts)
Cyclamen
Delphinium (Larkspur)
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
Foxglove
Lantana
Larkspur
Mistletoe
Oleander
Rhododendron
Sago Palms

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Since many plants are irritants, especially for the gastrointestinal tract, most symptoms seen will be the result of irritation or inflammation, such as redness, swelling, or itchiness of the skin or mouth.

If the toxic principle directly affects a particular organ, the symptoms seen will be related to that organ. For example:

• Difficulty breathing (if the airways are affected)
• Drooling or difficulty swallowing (if the mouth, throat, or esophagus is affected)
• Vomiting (if the stomach or intestines are affected)
• Diarrhea (if the intestines or colon are affected)
• Excessive drinking and urinating (if the kidneys are affected)
• Fast, slow, or irregular heart beat (if the heart is affected)

IMMEDIATE CARE

If you see your cat eating a plant and you are uncertain if it is poisonous, or if you suspect your cat ate such a plant within the past 1 to 2 hours, you can do the following before you take him to your veterinarian:

1.  Remove any plant material from the hair and skin.

2.  If it necessary, you can wash the cat with warm water and a little non-irritating dish soap.

3.  The identity of the plant is very important for determining treatment. If you don’t know what kind of plant it is and you can bring it with you, do so. Veterinarians don’t receive much training in plant identification, but every effort needs to be made to identify the plant. If your cat has vomited at all, try to collect some it for the doctor.

4.   Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Helpline  at (888) 426-4435.

VETERINARY CARE

Diagnosis

The best diagnosis is made by identifying the plant. Your veterinarian will give your cat a physical exam, and order such tests as necessary to determine the overall health of your cat. These tests are especially necessary if the plant is known to target specific organs.

Treatment

Once your cat has vomited, your veterinarian may give him activated charcoal to absorb any of the toxic principle that may be in the gut. Your vet may administer medication like sucralfate, which protects the damaged areas of the stomach.

Supportive care, such as intravenous fluids or anti-inflammatory medication will be used as needed, especially if the gastrointestinal tract is severely affected.

LIVING AND MANAGEMENT

Some plants are fatal for cats when ingested, regardless of how quickly and excellent the care may be. This is usually true of lilies. Other plants may cause enough damage that prolonged aftercare in the form of medication or special diet is needed. Be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions.

PREVENTION

Take whatever steps you can to protect your cat from exposure to poisonous plants. This includes removing such plants from your home and yard.

Because contact with some flowers and plants can cause reactions varying from an itch to death, it is best to teach your cat not to eat plants and flowers. Just as we baby proof our home for a new child, we must also cat proof our homes for our four-legged children.

Afterthought

Eating house plants is a common behavior in cats that do not get vegetable matter in their diet. By providing a small flower pot with grass or catnip, an owner often can eliminate the problem. For the cat that has developed a habit or preference, putting the plant where the cat cannot get to it or using aversive/unpleasant taste-smell conditioning with pepper sauce or vinegar sometimes works. You can also use a fine mist water sprayer on the cat when caught in the act or other scare tactics like making a loud noise to startle him.