What Plants Are Dangerous for Cats?

If you suspect your cat has eaten any of the following, or a plant that you cannot identify, contact a veterinarian immediately. Contact Poison Controland be sure to bring a sample or photo of the plant with you to your veterinarian/animal ER.

1. Lillies (Liliaceae family)

• Not all lilies are poisonous to cats
• The most dangerous to cats are: Asiatic lilies, Easter lilies, Japanese show lilies, rubrum lilies, stargazer lilies, red lilies, tiger lilies, Western lilies, wood lilies, and daylilies
• Calcium oxalate crystals (soluble), all parts of plant toxic
• Kidney failure

2. Narcissus/Daffodils (most plants from the genus Narcissus)

• a.k.a. “Jonquil”, “Paper White”
• Lycorine, all parts of plant toxic, bulbs most toxic
• Hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain; some cats may have heart arrhythmias, hypotension (low blood pressure), respiratory distress, convulsions

3. Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)

• a.k.a. “Meadow Saffron”, “Naked Lady”
• Alkaloid colchicine, highly toxic
• Onset of symptoms soon after ingestion or days later
• Hypersalivation, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, respiratory distress, seizures, kidney and liver damage, death

4. Azaleas & Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.)

• Grayanotoxins, all parts of the plant are toxic
• Many species, all moderate to severe toxicity
• Hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence, heart arrhythmias, weakness, tremors, blindness (transient), seizures, coma, death

5. Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia spp.)

• a.k.a. “Charming Dieffenbachia”, “Dumb Cane”, “Exotica Perfection”, “Giant Dumb Cane”, “Gold Dieffenbachia”, “Spotted Dumb Cane”, “Tropic Snow”, “Variable Dieffenbachia
• Calcium oxalate crystals (insoluble)
• Oral irritation, burning feeling in the mouth, hypersalivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, extreme discomfort

6. Cyclamen (Cyclamen spp.)

• a.k.a. “Persian Violet”, “Sowbread”
• Saponins, all parts of plant toxic, tubers and roots most toxic
• Hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea; large amounts ingested may cause heart arrhythmias, abnormal heart rate, seizures, death

7. Tulips (Tulipa spp.) & Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis)

• Liliaceae family
• Tulips: Tulipalin A and Tulipalin B; Hyacinths: possible Narcissus-like alkaloids; all parts of plant toxic, bulbs most toxic
• Hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea, depression tremors

8. Oleander (Nerium oleander)

• a.k.a. “White Oleander”, “Rose-Bay”
• Cardiac glycosides, all parts of plant toxic
• Heart damage, hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, tremors, seizures, fatal heart abnormalities

9. Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.)

• a.k.a. “Mother-In-Law Plant”, “Devil’s Backbone”, “Mother-of-Millions”, “Chandelier Plant”
• Bufadienolides, all parts of plant toxic
• Hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea; large amounts ingested may cause heart arrhythmias, collapse, seizures

10. Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)

• a.k.a. “Coonite Palm”, “Cardboard Palm”, “Cycads”, “Zamias”
• Cycasin, all parts of plant toxic, seeds most toxic
• Vomiting, diarrhea, black tarry stool, bruising, increased thirst, lethargy, liver failure, death

11. Marijuana (Cannabis sativa)

• a.k.a. “Indian Hemp”, “Hashish”
• Delta-9-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
• Clinical signs can develop within minutes to hours
• Many cats are poisoned by eating food laced with marijuana or legal edibles
• Depression/sleepiness or sometimes excitation/hyperactivity, incoordination, dilated pupils, glassy eyes, hypotension (low blood pressure), hypersalivation, dribbling urine, vomiting, decrease in body temperature, vocalization, seizures, coma

For a very comprehensive list of plants that are toxic to cats (photos included), see:

ASPCA: Toxic & Non-Toxic Plants

Read more:

Everything You Need to Know About Chocolate Toxicity in Pets

Can My Pet Eat Grapes and Raisins? The Truth About Grape Toxicity in Dogs and Cats

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