Many common houseplants can be poisonous to cats. Lilies (Lilium spp and Hemerocallis spp) are extremely toxic to cats and can kill them. With houseplant collecting becoming more popular, Jade plants are making a comeback. Occasionally, out of boredom or curiosity, a cat may nibble on a leaf or stem. And they can be lethal to dogs and cats if consumed. They're found in just about every yard where they will grow. Surprisingly, even humans can overdose on liquorice! My three year old cat is in hospital as we speak with Kidney failure. My fear is she is poisoned are any of these poisoness? Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on January 28, 2017: So sorry for your loss Jake. In cats, these plants may cause blistering or itching of the mouth and gums. Lilies in the “true lily” and “daylily” families are very dangerous for cats. After reading this article I saw coleus in your article I have this plant so this must be the plant that my cat has eaten. I am in shock right now, my Tessa died suddenly with no signs of any trauma whatsoever. If you want to keep plants in your house, or if you let your cat out into your yard, you need to be able to accurately identify plants and flowers that are poisonous to cats. This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. ASPCA: "Animal Poison Control FAQ," "Animal Poison Control Center," "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet," "17 Poisonous Plants," "Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants." I would recommend (from having worked in two vets surgeries) an x-ray to make sure she hasn't swallowed a foreign object that is blocking her intestine (I have seen this before in both dogs and cats, and it can be anything from a small toy, a needle, a cork, pen lid or whatever, only an x-ray can determine this). Thank you for doing this. So long as she didn't wash it off herself she should be okay, but in the meantime please get rid of this plant as the pollen from lilies will readily drop on to surfaces where a cat could walk and get it on their paws etc. are some tomato plants toxic and other not? Alternatively go for plants you can eat such as vegetables grown indoors e.g. I kept adjusting her diet but now I am convinced it must have been chewing plants. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/geraniums-poisonous-... Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on October 27, 2018: PS. Check with your veterinarian first before your cats have access to any plants. If it nibbles too much, Jade plant poisoning can be fatal. This work of yours is truly an exhaustive effort worthy of Pinning and sharing with my friends. What Plants Are Toxic to Cats? Now I know why my kitten is sick! Thanks for the extra info :). Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on March 01, 2018: good site good site thanks for the pictures since I do not know the names of my house plants. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on March 11, 2012: I am honestly not sure on this one kenzie, but if by 'feather grass' you mean Pampas grass I have never heard of it being toxic to cats. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on July 24, 2011: I am so sorry to hear about your tabby cat Fatima, and I really hope this does help you to protect your other pets. It is important to remember that with lilies the pollen only has to get on the cats fur and the cat wash it off in order for it to cause kidney failure, and this happens very quickly. The cat and plants were saved with the purchase of a climbing tree for cats, however, I wondered if the cat was in more danger than the owners realized. Looking again at what I wrote I did not say it would kill your cat, the symptoms I list do not include death. This is a good list - and I'm glad you included your source (which lists more garden/vegetable plants). It is so helpful and some garden plants need to be evicted now. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on August 30, 2011: Hi jadednae, always go to a vet if in doubt, home remedies are always a last resort and should never be used in poisoning cases. He litterally did not move for 3 days. Hello, i am thinking about getting a cat and i realized i have poisonous plants like philodenrons, pathos, asparagus fern, arrowhead, aloe. The sad thing is that not every cat will react the same to the toxins, so the overall scientific conclusions are based on the majority, not the minority of cases. Place your plants strategically. Many species of ivyincluding the popular English Ivy and ivy arum (or pothos)are considered moderately toxic to cats. tomato plants on included in the list but you mention indoor tomatoes. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on May 14, 2012: Hi Lori, I am so pleased your babies are safe and that you are a responsible owner who does get veterinary treatment for her pets. There are numerous plants that are poisonous to cats. The vet did say that was possible, if it was scrunched up enough in her intestine that it couldn't be seen. A better question would be what are the plants NOT poisonous to cats. ASPCA: "Animal Poison Control FAQ," "Animal Poison Control Center," "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet," "17 Poisonous Plants," "Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants." Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on February 19, 2012: No Valerie, this list is not a list of plants that cure problems, it is a list of plants that can cause problems. For more extensive lists of plants poisonous to cats, please visit: Also, keep in mind that symptoms will vary from cat to cat, depending on their size and the parts or quantities of the plant ingested. Now, both cats have kidney disease, are on special food and daily oral medication. How is it you list it as "generally over rated in toxicity? If your kitty looks at all unwell get her to a vet asap and tell him about the lily pollen on her nose. Thank you so much for your reply. Good luck. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Natural liquorice derived from liquorice root contains glycyrrhizin. I'm sure I have had several plants for ages that are but my cat hasn't suffered. In the meantime I started noticing the other one showing signs and now I am forcing pedialyte down her. I am really glad you found it helpful and also wish you well with your 'indoor gardening' which will definitely help to extend your growing season :). Since spider plants are often found in hanging baskets, simply keep them (and any other potentially threatening plant) up high and out of reach from your cats. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on February 05, 2012: Whoops good point bellagirl61, I must have had a blonde moment (or a glass of wine) when I suggested indoor tomatoes, although my own cats ignore my outdoor ones, and would probably ignore any indoor ones. Thanks. Do You Know Which Flower is a Potential Danger to Your Cat? Hope you do find a cure. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on February 11, 2012: Glad to be of help Patricia, and glad your cat is okay now :), My cat ate something that made her very ill and had to be taken to the vet. Is this ok or should I just get rid of the plant?? Because Jade plants can get quite large, keeping them out of the reach of cats … Hi, I want to bring in my alternanthera inside for winter, will it harm my cats? Various plants are toxic and potentially fatal to cats. I took her immediately and waited for the results, which were negative. It was so helpful to me. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on October 18, 2011: gryphin423 from Florida on October 18, 2011: Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on October 02, 2011: Thank you cleowolf, I am so sorry you lost your two cats as I know how devastating it is to lose a pet under any circumstances, but not to know why is even worse. It is the lily pollen that is dangerous. Would i have to get rid of these plants? Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on April 11, 2012: Do be careful though Ravenpaw. Maybe they weren't big enough to do her any noticeable harm due to lack of volume of foliage and stem consumed. Here are some pet-friendly plants that are safe for your cat or dog to cuddle up to (and how to care for them): 1. I would be more than happy to start a petition (with supporters)to make this happen. My boys will be safe now & my boys are very curious. The snake plant contains toxic saponins capable of causing illness in a cat. What is Snake Plant Poisoning? Surprising as it may seem Vets do not know everything, and to be honest, in my experience of working in Vet's surgeries quite often I have seen the senior nurses know more than the vets do about things like this. There are a few—make that very few—spots that cats have a harder time reaching than others. Thank you once again! If your cat has a penchant for eating plants, there are steps you can take for keeping cats from spider plants. Lilies. Cornell University: "Common Cat … In small amounts I am certain it can be very beneficial for various medical conditions. She does not have any diarrhea, which seems to be a symptom in plant poisoning. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on November 05, 2012: Thank you RichieMogwai, that is an awesome compliment :). I am so glad I wrote this article when I did as the amount of positive comments on it show that it really does make a difference to saving lives. Thank you again for any help you can give me to help her. I even had to explain to one vet I worked for that guinea-pigs can and do eat the flower as well as the stalk of dandelions (and he was generally a very good vet). It is this compound which makes liquorice sweet. My cat ate the tiniest piece of a hyacinth leaf earlier today was was found unresponsive later on tonight. This article is simply a guideline, you would need to check it out with your vet or the ASPCA directly. Bleach is very harmful and can cause serious problems in their digestive system as well as vomiting, excessive salivation and lots of pain. It sounds like tragically your cat had a particularly bad reaction to the toxins, so is the exception to the rule. Also called rubber plants or money trees, all parts of this plant is poisonous to cats. However, when it comes to garden and landscape areas of the house, some people will rather have cats kept out of such areas.. Ingesting any part of the plant … Here are some of the most common plants poisonous to cats with mild symptoms: Some plants result in more severe poisoning. The excess consumption of liquorice can cause liver damage, raise blood pressure and cause muscle weakness. I think I have seen this on ONE website and other than that read somewhere that a "decorative" orange plant was dangerous. You might also find my article on Lilies being capable of killing your cat within hours interesting. Aloe Vera is the one I would be most concerned about for the reasons listed. Now I will get rid of this plant. I am not familiar with the name, although the Muscari part does sound familiar to me from years ago when I grew Hyacinths. I cannot see any evidence that she has eaten from any of my plants and I have never seen her eating any either but I have to consider this as being a possibility. It sounds rather an nasty reaction if your cat only ate a 'tiny' piece of Hyacinth. Thank you for your post! She will be hydrated for the next three days. Answer: No, fortunately, these are nontoxic to both dogs and cats. Cats are pets people love to keep at home. Bird's nest fern. is toxic to cats? 19 Air Purifying House Plants that are Poisonous and Toxic to Cats and Dogs. Certainly if this is as a result of an allergic reaction then it could definitely happen 'that fast', sometimes allergic reactions happen within minutes depending on what causes them and the level of reaction the animal in question has, (think of how quickly a person allergic to bee stings can react). When wondering what plants repel cats, there are a few that make it to the top of the list. A rubber band is a possibility (I have seen this happen before). Bird's nest fern. Very well written, concise and helpful article. :) Voted up - a very useful hub. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on March 04, 2019: If only I had the time to research that article too Dori, but there would no doubt be thousands of plants and in recent times I have a lot of other stuff going on in my life that doesn’t allow me much time for writing any more. Plants Several plants are toxic to cats, and in 2017, plant toxicity accounted for 5.4% of cases reported to the ASPCA’s poison center. You might want to read my other article on this called 'Lilies can kill your cat within hours' (link below): I agree plants should come with labels that say if they are dangerous to pets. my cat ate 3 tomato plants, leaves and stems. In general grasses do not seem to be a problem as far as I am aware but best you check this out with your vet. But nearly all of them are toxic to our furry friends. I brought a lily home yesterday not knowing it was poisonous and my kitty was smelling it and I think had some pollen residue on her nose. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Thanks for making this HUB! Cast Iron Plant (Bar Room Plant, Iron Plant, Variegated Cast Iron Plant) | Scientific Names: Aspidistra elatior | Family: Liliaceae Cat Brier (China Root, Ti-hu-ling, Shiny Leaf Smilax) | Scientific Names: Smilax glabra | Family: Liliaceae Cornell University: "Common Cat Toxicities," "Poisons." So long as there was no pollen on the leaves she should be hopefully. Lisa Fucci from Boston, Massachusetts on November 06, 2013: I am enraged at the fact that florists and other retailers do not have to label flowers as toxic to pets and children. Their poisons, or acids are what help succulents survive in the wild, but I would rather it be my kittens. @pottedparadise / Via instagram.com. He said maybe she got into something that upset her. I have been nursing 2 of my babies back to health for 5 days now. Learn which ones to avoid to keep your pets safe. To keep your plants safe, hang them from the ceiling, place them on a high shelf in a sunny space, or try using a plant … I am very concerned, needless to say. The best way to do this is by cultivating cat repelling plants … Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on September 21, 2013: No you don't need to sign up to ask a question Susie as you have now found out. He still can't diagnose her, said it could be an intestinal virus, which the body has to fight on its own, or it could be something toxic she ingested, which also is a matter of time to be eliminated from her system. Lilies, sago palms, oleander, rhododendrons, tulips … Many of these species are commonly kept as houseplants, so I am guessing that some will come as surprises to unsuspecting cat owners. She did have a strange habit of gnawing on the wood of my dressers in the bedroom, wondered if it could be something toxic in the finish...thank you so much for such a helpful article though. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on January 20, 2016: Sounds like you were lucky this time Deb. How long does it take for the side effects to happen if they do?? The entire lily plant is toxic: the stem, leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the water in a vase. Also called rubber plants or money trees, all parts of this plant is poisonous to cats. The flowers the florist listed are lavender roses, purple stock, lavender Peruvian Lillie’s, purple statice, lush greens. I hope your cat survives this assuming she has not already died. He was drooling excessively and having seizures. Occasionally this is misdiagnosed as gingivitis. Good luck. I didn't know that lilies in particular were so toxic. Thank you, spider plant (Chlorophytum), for looking just as cool today as you did in grandma's kitchen in 1978. Mistletoe can … If that's the case, I'm hoping that it will finally be passed when she defecates again, but who knows how long that could take? One note though, it might be helpful: Muscari Mill is also poisonous. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on January 22, 2012: I wish I could answer that one in a comment blondie, but that would require a whole article in itself, plus hours and hours of research. Amaryllis. Cats love to nibble on plants, so I decided to do some research and make my very own list of safe houseplants that will keep the air fresh and won’t kill your cats… I hope this comes in useful to you in the future too :), Great list, very helpful, esp since 2 flowers on here are ones my girl kitten has taken to chewing on (carnation & primrose) which i hope wont be fatal (she seems fine though thankfully) but i am definitley bookmarking this for future reference! It's also a popular house plant. Again, thank you very much. Sign up for our newsletter. I'm feeling a bit helpless, to be honest. Now my female is constipated on top of everything else. I also wish to know if Butterfly Pea (tea, blooms, leaves, etc.) I have you in favorites & will be referring back to your site on a regular basis. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on January 08, 2013: Thanks seanorjohn, I am delighted you enjoyed this and I hope your kitty stops being vomiting soon. Here’s a list of some common plants that are toxic to cats: Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp.) Thanks. Once a year blood work and urine tests for the two about $400 each. Don't take my word for the poinsettia and aloe vera statement, Google it and you will see it is confirmed on many sites. I noticed she was venturing further afield when I let her out by the front garden. After I sent you the above post, the vet called me and asked how she was doing and when I told him that nothing had changed he said I should bring her right back; he wanted to x-ray her for foreign objects asap. You now have at least got the chance to warn other cat owners of the risks, friends, family etc. She will not answer my call. Luckily, I haven't planted anything I needed to deter my cat from snooping in (whew)... he's a snoopy, persistent li'l guy! The best bet is to find a list of plants you would like to have by name, and then check them out one at a time online to see if they are poisonous to cats or dogs. A number of common garden plants are actually toxic to cats. Question: Are Christmas cacti poisonous to cats? After stargazing lillies almost killing my daughter's kitten, I googled your article and found several plants I need to remove from my home. Lilies: People tend to use "lily" as an all-encompassing term, but there are … Because she can't defecate, I am worried about possible bowel blockage and need to know how immediately this needs to be checked. Both ate on my devils ivy. I can only say that the general consensus based on cases has caused the Poinsettia to be listed as overrated in its toxicity. Ivy is commonly used as ground cover or for shade, as in covering gazebos or trellises. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on November 13, 2014: I would advise you to err on the side of caution Heather and get rid of any house plants just in case. Oleander, even in small amounts, can kill your cat. In the garden they are probably more interested in chasing mice, birds etc than they are in chewing on random plants (which is not to say they won't, only that it is less likely than in the house). I have a 9 year old cat that has been chewing on my aloe plant for about 3 years and has never gotten sick from it. I even tried to give him CPR but he was gone in 5 minutes. So long as the foliage etc is out of reach of the cats there should not be a problem. ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List for Cats. Lilies, sago palms, oleander, rhododendrons, tulips and more are toxic to cats, so bear this in mind when planting a garden or bringing plants … Cats often munch on plants and grasses as well, which can pose a health hazard if your indoor plants are toxic to cats. Thank you, spider plant (Chlorophytum), for looking just as cool today as you did in grandma's kitchen in 1978. Cats love bleach - they find it irresistible. My cat used to vomit and had diarrhea, but it never came to my head that it was because of the plants. If you already have any of these in your home, it may be a good idea to remove them. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on November 06, 2013: I hope Ginger will be okay. The amaryllis is a desirable holiday plant because it's fun to watch the bulb grow into a tall, majestic flower. I am glad you found this page before it was too late for your two kittens. The name (spelt this way) is quite rare, so if this is your surname I would be very grateful if you could contact me either here in the comments, or via a private message sent through my Hubpages profile page (see fan mail, then select 'email', no need to join the site) and give me a bit more info about where you live, family background etc so I can pass it on. She doesn't need to have intentionally chewed on the plant itself. Dan Sheppard from Perth, Western Australia on December 12, 2011: wow, this is incredibly detailed with the pictures. Here are those plants… So far she has not vomited again. I just responded over on your article about community/urban gardening and mentioned I am planning indoor gardening to compensate for rising food costs and the short grow season where I live. I know I didn't imagine it and I have worked for two vets surgeries in my time. Many pet owners keep common plants in their homes without realising that they are poisonous to cats. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on March 04, 2013: I am so sorry to hear this Cami1565, you must be heartbroken, but please don't let the guilt haunt you, it could have happened to anyone, and it could have been any plant, or some other cause of death completely. Good luck. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on April 27, 2012: Cannot thank you enough for taking the time and trouble to compile this excellent list with clear pictures. Cats will chew on plants. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! He suggested leaving her overnight so they could treat her some more. As far as marijuana (hemp) is concerned - there results of animals being treated for a variety of ailments using hemp oil has been remarkable - animals have been known to eat marijuana and it hasnt been toxic to them. My nine year old girl cat has been completely listless for two days, with frequent vomiting of frothy and mucous yellow liquid only; no food interest but has had water, keeps visiting the litter box and straining to evacuate but unable to. I am glad your cat is so much better now Kora, it is good to know this article has made a difference to her well-being. Thanks a lot for this very useful information. The key is in the word 'Houseplants' as these are the ones your bored cat is most likely to come into contact with or even chew on them. Cindy is a conscientious cat mom who loves sharing pet expertise with others through writing. I would hope that if there is no change in a day or two he would operate to investigate further and ensure nothing is blocking her intestine that is not showing up on the x-ray due to the nature of the object in question. In this article, I hope to list many of the most common plants that pose health risks to cats so that you can ensure you don't bring them into your home. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on February 14, 2013: I would not expect a Vet to know from memory every single plant that can cause your cat or dog a problem. My ginger ate some of the leaves in a Lilly assorted arrangement i was frightened to learn that she might die from this. Cindy Lawson (author) from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on July 04, 2018: Hi ‘Worried’, in your position I would be very concerned too, mainly because of the Peruvian Lilies, which I suspect will have the same problem as other lilies to cats. Cats don't just stick to the food you provide when they feel like a snack. It should be mandatory that the labels that come with the plants advise whether they are poisonous to our beloved pets or not because if they did then my little girl wouldn't be in hospital fighting for her life right now! Most of my plants are succulents, and it is really grieving me to get rid of them, but now I have two inquisitive indoor kittens, so I guess I have to let them go. I'm really curious where you got your info on the Orange plant being toxic to cats. Thanks again! I gave pedialyte around the clock for 3 days. As we mentioned at the start of this article 19 of the 30 great detoxifying plants that were listed over on Sound Body Life were found to be poisonous and toxic to cats and dogs. You could also buy fake plants too. My last (and final) indoor/outdoor cat died suddenly without apparent cause, and I wonder if it was his favorite hunting ground under the orange daylilies. Your vet will do his best to save her I am sure. Azaleas are a great example. Why don't we find stacks of dog and cat … Like dogs, cats are curious by nature and will occasionally get themselves into trouble on account of this. I agree about lilies but surely most cats are not out there eating plants all the timer. Your article on plants toxic to cats was very helpful. No. I would be inclined to assume she either ate more than you realised (possibly including the bulb) or that she had an allergic reaction to it over and above the basic poisoning effects or that something else completely caused this. Having had cats all my life and also being an avid gardener, I never realised the potential risks. ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List for Cats, Toxic Plants To Dogs - Plants That Are Poisonous To Dogs, Peace Lily And Cats: Learn About The Toxicity Of Peace Lily Plants, Toxic Garden Plants – Learn About Poisonous Garden Plants To Look Out For, Seeds From The Past - Ancient Seeds Found And Grown, How To Garden Like Monet – What We Can Learn From Monet’s Garden, Early American Vegetables - Growing Native American Vegetables, Do Sago Palms Flower: Identifying Flowering Sago Palms, Rain Garden Instructions: What Is A Rain Garden And Rain Garden Plants, How To Propagate Coleus From Seed Or Cuttings, Toxic Plants To Dogs – Plants That Are Poisonous To Dogs, Iris Flower History – Where Did Iris Originate, Aloe Plant History – Interesting Facts And History Of Aloe Vera, Indian Turnip History: Jack-In-The-Pulpit Folklore And Origins, National Cabbage Day: History And Fun Facts About Cabbage. Hello,I was just wondering I have a little over a year old cat and believe she may have chewed on my mother n law plant because she has been throwing up off and on all day but the last time was 3 hours age and before that 10 hours.i seen where the mother n law plant was poison and so removed in from the house.its more like clear liquid to just milky color.do you think she has got to much or just enough to make her feel bad?I know throwing up isn't good but could she have got the poison out of her before it cause any harm?I don't want to wait to long to get her to the vet.we change her litter box to day and she had diarrhea but that's the only time.hope you can ease my mind.thank you, are mother inlaw or snake plant dangerous to cats. Says she won't be able to have a bowel movement until she eats enough to push the stool through. Now after seeing this site, it seems I am going to have to rip up my whole garden and replace everything with cat 'friendly' plants. They are going to force feed her some soft food by mouth and see if she can evacuate. While cats do feast on a great many plants, especially those found in the home, they are usually less likely to feed on an entire plant as most dogs will.

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