11 popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats

Certain lilies, such as Asiatic, Day, Easter, Japanese Show, and Tiger lilies, are highly toxic to cats. Even lily pollen can be dangerous if ingested during grooming. Just a few leaves or water from a vase containing these flowers can be fatal.

If you suspect your cat has ingested or licked a lily, seek urgent veterinary help. Treatment may include induced vomiting, intravenous fluids, and activated charcoal for gastrointestinal decontamination.

Amaryllis aren’t just a popular gift, they’re also a poisonous one. The stalks, flowers and bulbs contain phenanthridine alkaloids, which are toxic to cats. The highest proportion is in the bulbs.

Eating amaryllis can cause vomiting, changes in blood pressure, tremors, and seizures. The yellow flowers contain a poisonous substance called lycorine, which can trigger vomiting.

Many plants are synonymous with spring, including daffodils, but the yellow flowers contain a poisonous alkaloid that can trigger vomiting.

At the same time, crystals in the bulbs are severely toxic and can cause serious conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias or respiratory depression.

Behind the rose, the tulip is the country’s most popular cut flower, but unfortunately, tulips are considered dangerous plants for cats.

The bulbs are the most toxic part, but any part of the plant can harm your cat, so all tulips should be kept away. They contain allergenic lactones, which, if swallowed, can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea and depression.

Although only mildly toxic, chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins, which are used in dog flea and tick medications and are particularly poisonous to cats.

If your cat has ingested this toxic plant, look out for vomiting, diarrhoea and lack of appetite and seek advice from your vet.

Belonging to the Liliaceae family, the highest concentration of poison in hyacinths is in the bulbs.

Depending on the number consumed, eating a hyacinth bulb can lead to drooling, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

‘Are gladioli poisonous to cats?’ is one of our vets’s most commonly asked questions. Both of these flowers belong to the Iridaceae family and are considered a dangerous plant for cats.

They can cause irritation when eaten. Like many popular spring flowers, the most toxic part is the bulb.

A popular houseplant prevalent in Mediterranean countries, cyclamen contains irritating saponins.

Eating the plant can lead to sickness, diarrhoea, and potentially even heart failure if ingested in large enough quantities.

Kalanchoe, or widow’s thrill, is toxic to cats and may cause them to experience vomiting and diarrhoea.

The toxins in kalanchoe have also been known to cause abnormal heart rhythms.

While its trumpet-like blossoms are very beautiful, Foxglove is poisonous to dogs, cats, and even humans.

Foxglove contains naturally occurring poisons that affect the heart.

Both spring and autumn crocus plants are toxic to cats. Ingesting spring crocus can lead to gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea.

Autumn crocus is highly toxic as all parts of the plant can cause severe symptoms, including vomiting, bloody diarrhea, organ damage, respiratory failure, seizures, and even death. Symptoms may appear immediately or take days to manifest.