Guide to US plants poisonous to cats

Home > Pet Advice > Guide to US plants poisonous to cats

You might think that with cats being obligate carnivores they wouldn’t be too interested in grass, or plants, or anything green for that matter.

Well as you probably know by now, that innate feline curiosity means we should rarely try and second guess what our cats are thinking. 

Leave a plant within touching distance of them for instance, and don’t be surprised if the next time you come to water it, there’s a bite-sized chunk taken out of it. 

The problem with this is that a large number of plants and flowers can be extremely harmful to cats — and they have no idea which ones are safe or not. 

That’s why Reveal has put together this handy guide so pet parents know which plants are poisonous and which are perfectly safe.

The most common plants in the US which are poisonous to cats

 

  • Alocasia 
  • Aloe
  • Amaryllis
  • American Holly  
  • Autumn Crocus
  • Azaleas
  • Begonia
  • Buttercup
  • Castor Bean
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Cyclamen  
  • Daffodils
  • Dahlia
  • Daisy
  • Devil’s Ivy
  • Dieffenbachia
  • English Ivy
  • Eucalyptus 
  • Fig  
  • Garlic
  • Geranium 
  • Hyacinths
  • Kalanchoe
  • Lavender
  • Lily
  • Lily of the Valley
  • Mayweed
  • Marijuana
  • Nightshade  
  • Oleander
  • Oregano   
  • Peace Lily
  • Ragwort
  • Rhododendrons
  • Sago Palm
  • Spanish Thyme
  • Spring bulbs
  • Tarragon
  • Tobacco
  • Tulip
  • Yew
  • Yucca

Are there any household plants which are safe for cats to be around?

 

The majority of plants are not poisonous to cats, however some may still elicit an adverse reaction such as drooling, vomiting or diarrhea when ingested.

The following plants are safe for cats to be around, but if they do happen to have a nibble, watch out for any signs of illness.

 

  • African Violet
  • American Rubber Plant
  • Areca Palm
  • Baby’s Tears
  • Bamboo Palm
  • Banana
  • Bird’s Nest Fern
  • Boston Fern
  • Bromeliad
  • Calathea
  • Cape Marigold
  • Cast Iron Plant
  • Cushion Aloe
  • Dill
  • Figleaf Palm
  • Friendship Plant
  • Haworthia 
  • Ghost Plant
  • Gloxinia
  • Lipstick Plant
  • Metallic Peperomia
  • Mexican Snowball
  • Money Tree
  • Mosaic Plant
  • Orchid
  • Rattlesnake Plant
  • Paddy’s Wig
  • Parlor Palm
  • Petunia
  • Pilea Mucosa 
  • Polka Dot Plant
  • Prayer Plant 
  • Purple Waffle Plant
  • Red Prayer Plant
  • Rose
  • Spider Plant
  • Sunflower
  • Swedish Ivy
  • Velvet Plant
  • Venus Fly Trap
  • Wax Plant
  • Yellow Bloodleaf

What to do if your cat eats a poisonous plant

  • Stay calm. Stop your cat from ingesting any more of the plant, while attempting to remove any pieces from their mouth or fur. Move them to a safe space, and ensure the plant(s) cannot be touched by any other pets.
  • Check for symptoms. Breathing difficulties, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and an irregular heartbeat are all symptoms associated with the ingestion of a poisonous plant. You may also notice redness and/or itchiness of the skin or mouth.
  • Contact your vet. You should ring your vet immediately if you suspect your feline has eaten a toxic plant, even if they are not exhibiting any symptoms. Explain to them what has happened, and await further instruction.
  • Bring samples with you. If the vet wishes to see your cat, make them as comfortable as possible before setting off. If you don't know the name of the plant they have eaten, take a piece of it with you. Also, if your cat has vomited, collect a sample of this to hand over to the vet as well.

Should I keep plants out of my house?

This article hasn’t been written to put you off filling up your home with leafy houseplants. We love pets and plants.

All we are asking you to do is proceed with caution.

When buying a plant for the house, do your research, and if you’re still unsure, seek medical assistance. If you’re moving into a new house, carry out a thorough examination of the garden before letting your furry friend outside. 

Even if a plant isn’t classed as being harmful to cats, it’s still not a good idea to just let them nibble away. Maybe keep your greenery in a room that’s inaccessible to your feline, or place plants somewhere high up, out of reach.

If you liked this guide, you might also enjoy:

Share this article

#LoveWhatsInside