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 both for indoors and out that have been identified by the ASPCA as being toxic to cats. If you suspect that you have one of these plants in or around your house, take extra care with your feline to help avoid them.
Indoor Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats
These plants are commonly found indoors. Watch out for your cats around:
| 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 |
| Day Lilies | Kidney failure |
| Easter Lily | Vomiting, lethargy, kidney failure |
| 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 |
Outdoor Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats
The vast majority of plants poisonous to your cat may be found in your yard or neighborhood, rather than within your house. Take a quick look for the following, and act quickly if you notice your cat develop these symptoms.
| Plant | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Amaryllis | Vomiting, depression, tremors |
| Apple | Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, shock |
| Apricot | Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, shock |
| Avocado | Vomiting, diarrhea |
| Azalea | Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, coma |
| Begonia | Oral irritation and difficulty swallowing |
| Bird of Paradise | Nausea, vomiting, depression |
| Buttercup | Vomiting, diarrhea, wobbly gait |
| Calla Lilly | Oral irritation and difficulty swallowing |
| Cherry | Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, shock |
| Chinaberry | Diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, seizures |
| Christmas Rose | Drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea |
| Chrysanthemum | Vomiting, diarrhea, problems with coordination |
| Clematis | Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea |
| Corn plant | Vomiting, depression, dilated pupils |
| Crocus, autumn | Oral irritation, bloody vomiting |
| Daffodil | Vomiting, salivation, low blood pressure |
| Deadly Nightshade | Hypersalivation, depression, confusion |
| Ferns | Vomiting, jaundice, liver failure |
| Foxglove | Cardiac arrhythmia |
| Geranium | Vomiting, depression, dermatitis |
| Heartland Philodendron | Oral irritation, vomiting |
| Hyacinth | Intense vomiting, diarrhea, tremors |
| Hydrangea | Vomiting, depression, diarrhea |
| Iris | Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea |
| Jonquil | Vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, low blood pressure |
| Larkspur | Weakness, muscle spasms, convulsions |
| Laurel | Vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions |
| Morning Glory | Gastrointestinal upset, tremors, agitation |
| Oleander | Bloody diarrhea, convulsions, sweating, difficulty breathing |
| Peach | Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, shock |
| Peony | Vomiting, diarrhea, depression |
| Periwinkle | Vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, low blood pressure, convulsions |
| Philodendron | Oral irritation, burning, difficulty swallowing |
| Primrose | Mild vomiting |
| Rhododendron | Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, coma |
| Rhubarb | Kidney failure, tremors, salivation |
| Sweet Pea | Weakness, lethargy, pacing, tremors, seizures |
| 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 |
| Tulip | Vomiting, diarrhea, depression |
| Wisteria | Vomiting, diarrhea, depression |
| Yew | Sudden death |
There are a large number of 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.
What to Do if Your Pet Eats a Poisonous Plant
If your cat ingests a poisonous substance, you will usually need to provide some type of immediate treatment at home, and then rush your cat to the vet. Your first step should be to phone your veterinarian or the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center for advice, so be prepared to give the proper name of the plant. It's also a good idea to keep a feline first aid kit on hand for emergencies.
Call the Vet
You will be given specific instructions on what kind of first response treatment to give your cat in an effort to stabilize the situation. You should then immediately take your pet to the veterinarian, even if it means paying for emergency fees. 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. In cases like these, it is better to err on the side of caution and get your pet the help that he needs.
Play It Safe With Poisonous Plants
In addition to silk plants, there are several different safe plants for cats. Many local pet stores carry seeds or plants already started that you can purchase and take home. Not only are these plants visually pleasing, but they will also satisfy your cat's desire to chew, while still keeping him safe.
