Chrysanthemums for All Saints' Day, autumn bouquets, balcony plants brought indoors to protect them from the cold: in October the house fills up with plants just when your cat is spending more time inside. And several of the most common ones are plants toxic to cats; some are dangerous even in small amounts. Below we explain which poisonous plants for cats to recognise, which symptoms should alert you and what to do if your cat has nibbled one.
The most common plants toxic to cats
- Lilies (true lilies, Lilium, and also daylilies, Hemerocallis). They are among the most dangerous plants for cats: every part is toxic, including the pollen and the water in the vase, and eating them can seriously damage the kidneys. Sometimes it is enough for a cat to lick its fur after brushing against a bouquet. If you have a cat, the simplest thing is not to have them in the house.
- Chrysanthemums. The All Saints' Day flower mainly causes digestive upsets (vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling) and sometimes skin irritation. If you buy them for the cemetery, don't leave them waiting in the hallway or on the balcony.
- Cyclamen. A popular autumn choice for window boxes, it concentrates its toxic substances in the tuber, which a cat can reach by digging in the soil.
- Poinsettias. They arrive in garden centres in November. Their sap irritates the mouth and stomach; the effects are usually moderate, but it is best to keep them in a room your cat doesn't go into.
- Green plants of the arum family (Araceae): pothos (Epipremnum), dieffenbachia, philodendron, anthurium and the Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa). When chewed, they cause severe irritation of the mouth, drooling and sometimes vomiting.
- Aloe vera, often found on the kitchen or bathroom windowsill: it can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Oleander and lily of the valley, which are toxic to the heart. Eating them is a veterinary emergency.
This list is not exhaustive: before buying a plant, check its exact name and whether it is toxic to animals with your vet or a reliable source.
My cat has eaten a plant: warning signs
The signs vary depending on the plant, but above all watch out for:
- heavy drooling, or a cat pawing at its mouth;
- vomiting or diarrhoea;
- unusual listlessness, or a cat that hides or stops eating;
- abnormal thirst or changes in urination;
- trembling, unsteady walking or difficulty breathing.
Some symptoms take several hours to appear. If you know your cat has bitten into a dangerous plant, don't wait for them to show.
What to do if your cat has eaten a toxic plant
- Move your cat away from the plant and remove any remaining bits from its mouth, if you can do so without getting bitten.
- Identify the plant: take a photo of it or keep the label, and work out how much your cat has eaten and at what time.
- Call your vet straight away or, if the surgery is closed, an emergency vet clinic.
- Don't make your cat vomit, and don't give it milk or home remedies unless you have been advised to: you could make things worse.
- If it is a lily, or if your cat is having seizures or struggling to breathe, go straight to the vet or to an emergency clinic.
Non-toxic plants for cats
You can still have a home full of greenery if you choose plants considered safe for them:
- spider plants (Chlorophytum), which many cats love to nibble;
- calatheas and marantas;
- Boston ferns;
- areca palms;
- phalaenopsis orchids;
- peperomias.
Even if a plant isn't toxic, it can upset your cat's stomach if a lot of it is eaten. And be careful with plant food, fertiliser pellets and insecticides for plants: those really can be harmful.
How to protect your cat without giving up your plants
- Take stock of your plants and any you are given: remove or give away those on the list.
- Don't rely on height: a cat can easily get up onto a shelf or a windowsill. For truly dangerous plants, only a closed room will keep your cat safe.
- Offer cat grass: a pot of grasses to nibble (oats, barley, wheat) usually draws your cat's attention away from other plants.
- Keep your cat entertained: a bored cat nibbles more. These cat toy ideas will help you bring more variety to its days.
- Let your guests know: around All Saints' Day and at Christmas, ask them to avoid lilies in any bouquets they give you.
Key points
- Lilies are among the most dangerous plants for cats: keep them out of the house, bouquets included.
- Chrysanthemums, cyclamen, poinsettias, pothos and aloe vera: best avoided or kept in a room your cat doesn't go into.
- If in doubt, call your vet without waiting for symptoms to appear.
- Choose non-toxic plants and a pot of cat grass.
To make life easier for your cat at home, take a look at our home and pet selection.