There are dozens of common plants that are poisonous to cats, and it's good to keep a list on hand so you can avoid having the flowers and foliage in your home or yard. Even some traditional holiday plants like poinsettias or lilies can present a toxic hazard to a curious feline, so you may need to modify some of your regular decorating traditions.
Common Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats
There are multiple plants, flowers, and trees that the ASPCA has identified as being toxic to cats. If you suspect that you have one of these plants in or around your house, it might be wise to find it a new home with a friend who doesn't have pets.
10 Extremely Dangerous Plants for Cats
Most of the poisonous plants will cause some kind of stomach upset or drooling if your cat eats a small amount, but there are some that result in life-threatening damage after just a nibble. These ten plants are highly toxic to cats, meaning they can cause irreversible organ damage or even death.
| Plant | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Azalea | Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, heart failure |
| Crocus | Shock, organ damage |
| Daffodil | Vomiting, drooling, tremors, arrhythmia |
| Day lily | Vomiting, kidney failure, death |
| Easter lily | Kidney failure, death |
| Hyacinth | Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors |
| Jade plant | Vomiting, depression, disorientation |
| Oleander | Drooling, stomach pain, death |
| Sago palm | Vomiting, clotting problems, liver failure, death |
| Yew | Seizures, heart failure, sudden death |
Because these plants are incredibly poisonous, keep them away from your cat at all costs.
More Indoor Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats
Commonly found indoors, watch out for your cats around the following poisonous plants.
| Plant | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Aloe Vera | Vomiting, depression, change in urine color |
| Baby's Breath | Vomiting, diarrhea |
| Branching Ivy | Vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea |
| Cactus (some varieties) | Nausea, retching |
| Carnations | Mild gastrointestinal distress and rash |
| Cyclamen | Vomiting, diarrhea, heart rhythm defects, seizures |
| Elephant Ears | Burning of the lips, tongue and throat, difficulty swallowing |
| Eucalyptus | Vomiting, diarrhea, depression |
| English Holly | Vomiting, diarrhea, depression |
| Exotica | Burning of the lips, tongue and throat, difficulty swallowing |
| Florida Beauty | Dilated pupils, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain |
| Giant Dracaena | Vomiting with blood, depression, dilated pupils |
| Golden Pothos | Burning of the lips, tongue and throat, difficulty swallowing |
| House Pine | Vomiting, depression |
| Indian Rubber Plant | Oral irritation, vomiting |
| Oilcloth Flower | Oral irritation and burning |
| Mistletoe | Gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular collapse |
| Poinsettia | Irritating to the mouth and stomach |
| Peace Lily | Oral irritation and burning |
| Ribbon Plant | Vomiting with blood |
There are many common household plants that are poisonous to cats. You may already have a few in your house without realizing it, so check your home against the list above and move forward from there.
More Outdoor Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats
The many plants found in your yard or neighborhood can be extremely dangerous and toxic for cats as well. Look for the following around your garden and act quickly if you notice your cat develop these symptoms.
| Plant | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Chinaberry | Diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, seizures |
| Corn plant | Vomiting, depression, dilated pupils |
| Deadly Nightshade | Hypersalivation, depression, confusion |
| Ferns | Vomiting, jaundice, liver failure |
| Heartland Philodendron | Oral irritation, vomiting |
| Laurel | Vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions |
| Philodendron | Oral irritation, burning, difficulty swallowing |
| Rhubarb | Kidney failure, tremors, salivation |
| Swiss Cheese Plant | Oral irritation, burning, difficulty swallowing |
| Tobacco | Depression, problems with coordination, paralysis |
| Tomato Plant (and fruit when green) | Salivation, gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, weakness, confusion |
More Flowers That Are Poisonous to Cats
If you have an outdoor cat, or like to bring in bouquets (who doesn't?), keep an eye out for these varieties. Unfortunately, a lot of beautiful flowers are poisonous to cats. Nibbling on the flower petals or leaves of these outdoor flowers could make them very sick.
| Flower | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Amaryllis | Vomiting, depression, tremors |
| Begonia | Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing |
| Bird of Paradise | Nausea, vomiting, depression |
| Buttercup | Vomiting, diarrhea, balance issues |
| Calla Lilly | Oral irritation, difficulty swallowing |
| Christmas Rose | Drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea |
| Chrysanthemum | Vomiting, diarrhea, problems with coordination |
| Clematis | Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea |
| Foxglove | Heart arrhythmia |
| Geranium | Vomiting, depression, dermatitis |
| Hydrangea | Vomiting, depression, diarrhea |
| Iris | Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea |
| Jonquil | Vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, low blood pressure |
| Larkspur | Weakness, muscle spasms, convulsions |
| Morning Glory | Gastrointestinal upset, tremors, agitation |
| Peony | Vomiting, diarrhea, depression |
| Periwinkle | Vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, low blood pressure, convulsions |
| Primrose | Mild vomiting |
| Rhododendron | Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, coma |
| Sweet Pea | Weakness, lethargy, pacing, tremors, seizures |
| Tulip | Vomiting, diarrhea, depression |
| Wisteria | Vomiting, diarrhea, depression |
Fruit Trees That Are Toxic to Cats
Even if the flesh of a certain fruit is safe for cats, the tree leaves, flowers, and even fruit pits might be toxic.
| Fruit Tree | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Apple | Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, shock |
| Apricot | Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, shock |
| Avocado | Vomiting, diarrhea |
| Cherry | Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, shock |
| Peach | Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, shock |
What to Do if Your Pet Eats a Poisonous Plant
If your cat ingests a poisonous plant, your first step should be to phone your veterinarian, the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center, or the Pet Poison Helpline for advice. Be prepared to give the proper name of the plant, along with how much they ate. It's also a good idea to keep a feline first aid kit on hand for emergencies.
If you call the poison control center and tell them what your cat’s nibbled on, they will tell you what kind of first response treatment to give your cat, if needed. Some plants are so toxic to cats that they can be fatal or cause severe damage to a cat's internal organs, such as the kidneys, so it's always better to err on the side of caution and reach out for advice.
Play It Safe With Poisonous Plants
Never fear, plant lovers, there are several safe plants for cats. Many local plant stores carry seeds or plants already started that you can purchase and take home. This way, you can enjoy a green house while still keeping your special cat safe.
