It’s Poison Prevention Week, so we’re looking at common pet poisons found around the home. In this article, we’re looking at ornamental plants that are poisonous to cats. Below is our roundup of the 13 most toxic plants for cats. See also our top 10 cat poisons roundup.
Ornamental plants can be found in homes across the nation. They help reduce stress, promote well-being and improve air quality. Cat also love to chew on them!
Keeping house plants as a cat owner can be difficult. No matter where you position the plants, it seems like the cats can reach them. If they aren’t knocking the vase off the shelf, then they are trying to nibble at the plant or lap the water. Unfortunately, some popular ornamental plants are toxic when ingested. Some are more toxic than others. Some of the most commonly reported toxic plants for cats are listed below.
Allium

Gastrointestinal distress, lethargy, excessive thirst and anaemia have been reported in cats.
Autumn Crocus

Initial gastrointestinal symptoms appear after a few hours. After around 24 hours, heart failure, arrhythmias, kidney failure, liver damage and respiratory distress can develop.
Castor Bean

Ricin is highly toxic and causes animal cells to die. Only a few seeds are needed to cause a fatal poisoning. Bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weakness, trembling and incoordination are symptoms of ricin poisoning.
Daffodils

The toxic daffodil alkaloids cause vomiting and diarrhoea, abdominal pain or anorexia. They may cause heart problems in large enough doses.
Jimson Weed

Symptoms of poisoning can appear quickly and include increased heart rate, dilated pupils, dry mouth, incoordination, convulsions and even coma.
Lilies

Initial symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, inappetence, lethargy and anorexia. Severe kidney failure can be fatal in days if not treated. Read more about lily toxicity.
Mistletoe

Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting and diarrhoea, but the viscotoxins can also affect the heart and nervous system.
Oleander

The leaves are particularly toxic and only a few need to be consumed for a lethal dose. Cases of oleander poisoning are low, despite its high toxicity. Treatment of oleander toxicity has good results.
Poinsettia

The toxic sap can also cause irritation to the eyes and skin. Washing the affected area with warm water can help.
Rhododendron

Gastrointestinal, nervous, cardiac and respiratory distress can occur following consumption. Cat owners should be aware of these shrubs that may be growing in their local area as they are widely popular.
Sago Palm

This toxin can cause gastrointestinal distress, liver damage and neurological issues. Mortality is high in cases where this plant has been consumed.
Tulips

Cats are unlikey to uproot the flower, making the risk of toxicity low.
There are many more toxic plants for cats…
Although this list provides some of the more popular ornamental toxic plants for cats, there are many more. Some are more of a toxic risk than others. If you are have or are getting house plants, first research to see if they are poisonous if ingested. For a more complete list of toxic plants for cats see this article.
Further reading:
Cortinovis, C. and Caloni, F. (2013). Epidemiology of intoxication of domestic animals by plants in Europe. The Veterinary Journal, 197(2), pp.163-168.
Severino, L. (2009). Toxic plants and companion animals. CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources, 4(008).
Thanks for this helpful list. i had to turn down a poinsettia over the holidays because I knew that one was toxic to my cats. There were a few more on your list that I didn’t know about, though. Glad I ran across this post.