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Home Gardening Gardening Basics


9 POISONOUS PLANTS EVERY CAT OWNER SHOULD AVOID


Jill StaakeUpdated: Oct. 18, 2021


MANY KITTIES LOVE TO NIBBLE ON PLANTS, BUT THERE ARE SOME VERY TOXIC PLANTS FOR
CATS. AVOID LILIES, KALANCHOE AND DIEFFENBACHIA IF YOU HAVE CATS.

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LightFieldStudios/Getty Images

Everyone knows the old saying, “Curiosity killed the cat.” Cats, especially
younger ones, have a reputation for getting into anything and everything. And
much like little children, they often like to explore by putting things in their
mouths. This can become a serious problem when beloved kitties encounter
substances that can do them harm, including toxic plants for cats. Many common
houseplants such as  dieffenbachia and kalanchoe pose health problems for cats,
so cat owners should do a little research before adding new plants to their
home.

NOTE: We’ve rounded up some common poisonous plants that cat owners should know
about. But this is only a small part of a much bigger list. The ASPCA offers an
extensive searchable database of toxic plants at their website. Cat owners may
wish to check all of their houseplants against this database, just to be
safe. Also check out houseplants that aren’t safe for dogs.

If you worry that your cat may have ingested a poisonous plant, or if he or she
is displaying any unusual symptoms, call your vet immediately.


LILY

Lilium, Hemerocallis

For cats, this is floral enemy #1. Lilies, including daylilies, tiger lilies,
Easter lilies, and more—are extremely toxic plants for cats and can cause acute
kidney failure. All parts of the plant are dangerous: petals, leaves, stem, and
pollen. Even the water that lilies have been sitting in can contain toxins. Just
a small amount of any of these can be fatal to kitties, so if you even suspect
your cat has been eating lilies, contact your vet immediately.

Rda-Gid


CYCLAMEN

Cyclamen sp.

In small amounts, this pretty winter-flowering houseplant can cause drooling and
gastric symptoms. If a cat eats larger amounts, especially of the tubers (the
fat part of the root that resembles a flower bulb), they are at risk for cardiac
problems and seizures.

Courtesy Christina EmfingerHyacinth and tulips


DAFFODILS, TULIPS, AND HYACINTHS

Amaryllidaceae

Though any part of these plants can cause gastric upset in cats, it’s the bulbs
that pose the most danger. All members of the Amaryllidaceae family, which
contains many popular spring flowers, may cause cardiac arrhythmias and
respiratory problems for cats who eat the bulbs. Take care not to let unplanted
bulbs lie around where curious kitties may find them.


SAGO PALM

Cycas revoluta

Sago palms are cycads, but their resemblance to real palms makes them popular
houseplants. Unfortunately, they are incredibly poisonous for cats. Just chewing
on the leaves can lead to severe liver damage, and in many cases death. Other
related cycads (like cardboard palms) are equally dangerous, with the seeds
posing the highest threat.




KALANCHOE

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Though not one of the most dangerous for cats, kalanchoe is a very popular
houseplant that can cause gastric upset, so it’s worth noting. Also called
mother-of-millions, this succulent can even cause abnormal heart rhythm in rare
cases. Keep kalanchoe plants well out of the reach of cats in your house.

Photo Credit: Jerzy Opiola / WikimediaPhoto Credit: Jerzy Opiola / Wikimedia


DIEFFENBACHIA

Dieffenbachia sp.

Commonly known as dumb cane, this tropical plant grown for its foliage is common
in houseplant collections. Cats who chew on the leaves will experience oral pain
and intense burning, excessive drooling, and swelling that may cause difficulty
in swallowing or breathing.

Photo Credit: Jan Mehlich / WikipediaPhoto Credit: Jan Mehlich / Wikipedia


AUTUMN CROCUS

Colchicum autumnale

Don’t confuse autumn crocus with its spring cousin, Crocus vernus. C.
autumnale , which blooms in the fall as its name suggests, is by far the more
dangerous. Felines who ingest autumn crocus may experience severe gastric
symptoms, along with liver and kidney failure, seizures, and even death. (Crocus
sativa, which is grown to harvest the pollen for saffron, is also sometimes
commonly called “autumn crocus.” C. sativa can cause mild gastric upset, but is
not nearly as toxic.)

Courtesy Sherry Stone


AZALEA/RHODODENDRON

Rhododendron sp.

Though these large shrubs are usually grown outdoors, smaller plants are
sometimes used as houseplants. All plants in this genus contain toxins that can
affect cats in a variety of ways, including the gastric, cardiovascular, and
nervous systems. Small ingestions can sometimes prove fatal, so it’s best to
keep this plant out of kitty’s way.

Courtesy Merrie Largmann


LILY OF THE VALLEY

Convallaria majalis

They’re not a true lily, but lily of the valley are still very toxic plants for
cats. Cats who eat it can experience arrhythmia, low blood pressure, seizures,
and even coma leading to death. Call your vet right away if you think your cat
has ingested even a small part of this plant.






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Originally Published: February 09, 2018




Jill Staake
Jill lives in Tampa, Florida, and writes about gardening, butterflies, outdoor
projects and birding. When she's not gardening, you'll find he reading,
traveling and happily digging her toes into the sand on the beach.




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