Read on to find out what houseplants are toxic to cats.
Toxin vs.
Poison
When referring to plants, “toxin” is used instead of “poison.
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Meanwhile, a poison will likely cause harm to an organism.
Houseplants Toxic to Cats
Lilies
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Lilies (Lilium or Hemerocallisspp.
Their dark leaves, white flowers, and low maintenance requirements make them popular.
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Aloe vera is characterized by thick, succulent-like leaves with jagged edges that grow upwards from a rosette-like base.
It is toxic to cats if ingested.
Split-Leaf Philodendron
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Monstera deliciosais one of the most trendy tropical houseplants.
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Its stunning tropical foliage has been extensively featured on social media and in home decor.
Unfortunately, they contain insoluble calcium oxalates, which make them highly toxic to cats.
Though pothos is entirely safe to touch, it is toxic to cats.
The Spruce / Michael Marquand
They are characterized by dark green fleshy leaves and thick, wood-like stems.
Their unique structure makes them a great talking point and a lovely accent piece.
Thanks to its gorgeous drapery, it is popular as a houseplant grown in hanging planters.
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These plants vary from 3 feet high to over 10 feet tall when grown in the right conditions.
Unfortunately,dieffenbachiais highly toxic to cats when ingested.
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)can cause intestinal issues in cats and affect their heart rate.
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The toxic active ingredient is bufadienolides, which are similar to digitalis compounds.
They can cause disorganized cardiac electrical activity and an elevated heart rate, leading to cardiac arrest.
They contain cardenolides, which are cardiotoxic.
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Close relatives include water hyacinths and tulips.
These beautiful plants contain alkaloids that can be dangerous if ingested by cats.
The bulbs and plants may cause vomiting, bloody diarrhea, depression, and tremors.
The Spruce / Alonda Baird
Oleander
Commonly calledJerichorose or rose laurel,Nerium oleanderis native to southern Asia and the Mediterranean.
All parts of this beautiful plant are toxic to cats and their people.
Oleander has cardiac glycosides that can cause gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia, or death.
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A small bite can spell disaster for a cat.
Horses have collapsed 15 minutes after ingestion.
Tulip
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Tulips (Tulipaspp.)
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are in the lily family and are toxic to cats.
The entire plant contains alkaloid and glycoside compounds, but the bulb has the highest concentration of toxins.
Reactions include vomiting, depression, diarrhea, and drooling.Severe toxicity can lead to convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Daffodils
Daffodils (Narcissusspp.)
are popular harbingers of spring, but the flowers, leaves, and bulbs are toxic to cats.
Daffodils contain toxic compounds that are fatal if ingested in large quantities.
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The bulbs are the most toxic part.
In small amounts, daffodils can cause gastrointestinal upset, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling.
The Strelitzia variety may cause mild nausea and drowsiness.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Cats do not necessarily avoid toxic plants, though they may not go near something that smells unusual.
Research has found that cats feeling sick may ingest a plant to purposefully induce vomiting.
It’s difficult to prevent a cat from chewing on plants.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Depending on the plant, a toxic plant can affect a cat immediately or in a few hours.
Cats usually steer clear of prickly or strongly-smelling plants, like cactus, lavender, rosemary, and marigolds.
Lovely Lilies and Curious Cats: A Dangerous Combination.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Reduce Indoor Air Pollution with Houseplants Part 2: Golden Pothos and Snake Plant.Santa Fe Extension Master Gardeners.
The Dangers of Sago Palm.ASPCA.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Saunders, 2013. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4160-4390-4.00211-3
Kalanchoe species poisoning in pets.
How to Spot Which Lilies Are Dangerous to Cats & Plan Treatment.
Oleander: Beautiful but Deadly to Pets.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The dangers of yew ingestion.
April showers may bring spring bulbs.
What does that mean for your pet?ASPCA.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
2021 Jun 22;11(7):1853. doi:10.3390/ani11071853
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
