Some people choose to keep houseplants as a way to help purify the air in their homes, while others enjoy having them around for their aesthetic appeal.
Even if you aren’t particularly interested in keeping plants yourself, chances are that you have some friends or family members who do.
But what happens when your beloved feline friend gets into something he shouldn’t?
Some of the most common symptoms of cat poisoning from plants include vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive salivation.
If you think your cat may have ingested a poisonous plant, call your veterinarian immediately.
There are many most dangerous plants for cats, most tend to come from two main categories: those with poisonous berries and those that have poisonous leaves, stems, or flowers.
The most toxic plant for cats is the sago palm, but other plants such as English ivy, Jerusalem cherry, and daffodil can also be harmful.
In order to help you avoid any potential problems, we’ve put together a list of the 15 houseplants that are most toxic for cats.
Keep in mind, this is not an exhaustive list - so always be sure to double-check before bringing any new plants into your home.
1. Aloe Vera
2. Amaryllis
3. Azalea
4. Daffodil
5. Elephant Ears (Philodendron)
6. English Ivy
7. Iris
8. Lilies
10. Poinsettia
11. Sago Palm
12. Snake Plant/Mother-in-law’s Tongue
13. Tulip
14. Water Hemlock
15. Wisteria
Aloe Vera is a succulent plant that is often used for medicinal purposes. It is non-toxic to humans but can be deadly to cats.
Symptoms of aloe vera poisoning in cats include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Amaryllis is a flowering plant that is most commonly found in the United States and Europe.
It is highly toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, and even death.
Azaleas are a type of shrub that is native to North America and Asia.
They are extremely poisonous to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.
Daffodils are most commonly known as the flowers that come out in early spring and can be found most readily at garden centers.
They cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats, as well as drowsiness or lethargy, but they aren’t usually fatal.
It does not usually cause vomiting, but it can cause diarrhea and is considered moderately toxic to cats.
English Ivy is most commonly known as a ground cover that can also be turned into bouquets of ivy for weddings, parties, etc.
It is most dangerous when eaten, as it can cause a variety of symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Irises are most commonly found in grassy areas or on the shore of a lake, but they can also be purchased from most garden centers.
They have been known to cause upset stomachs and vomiting if ingested by a cat, but most cases do not result in death.
Lilies are a type of flower that can be found most commonly at florists. They are highly poisonous to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.
Poinsettias are most commonly found around the holiday season, most commonly in December.
It is not usually fatal to cats unless it causes vomiting or diarrhea - which can lead to dehydration and secondary symptoms like lethargy.
Sago Palm is most commonly found in the United States and Asia. It’s considered highly toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death.
Snake Plant/Mother-in-law’s Tongue is most commonly found in the United States. It is non-toxic to humans but causes vomiting and diarrhea in cats.
Tulips are most commonly found in gardens or at florists. They are mildly poisonous to cats and can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Water Hemlock is most commonly found in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
It’s considered highly toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death.
Wisteria is most commonly found in the United States. It is highly toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death.
Keeping the most dangerous houseplants out of reach is most important. Some ways to keep your most toxic houseplants out of your cat’s reach include:
- placing most poisonous indoor plants on high surfaces, such as tables or bookshelves, where cats cannot easily jump onto them
- covering most toxic houseplants in plastic bags when you are not able to supervise your cat
- using child-proof gates to keep your cat from entering the areas where most dangerous plants are kept
It’s most important to keep the most dangerous houseplants out of reach in areas where your cat spends most of its time in case it decides to investigate or eat one of these most poisonous plants.
Some indoor plants include amaryllis, peace lily, azalea, bird of paradise, bleeding heart vine, canna lily/canna, chrysanthemum (flowers), daffodil (referring to the flowers most common in spring), elephant ear (Philodendron), English ivy, Ixora/Hawaiian wedding flower (if berries eaten), Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum, if berries eaten), mums (worst on the stem and leaves most toxic parts; most common in autumn for this plant), poinsettia/Christmas star (Euphorbia pulcherrima most dangerous part is sap may cause skin irritation or burns in most cases), snapdragon (worst in the flowers most toxic parts), spider mum/garden mum, tuberose, and wisteria.
With so many different types of poisonous plants out there, it’s important to be aware of which ones are most dangerous to your cat.
Keep these 15 plants out of reach, and you’ll help keep your cat safe and healthy. Thanks for reading!
FAQ:
Q: Where do most of these plants come from?
A: Most of these most toxic plants for cats come from North America and Europe.
Q: What are the most common symptoms of cat poisoning to look for?
A: Symptoms of cat poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, difficulty breathing
Q: Are all of these most toxic plants for cats harmful to humans?
A: While most of these most dangerous houseplants to cats are poisonous to both humans and cats, some such as the sago palm and Jerusalem cherry are specifically harmful to cats. The water hemlock is most toxic to humans, but can also cause serious harm to cats.
Q: Can I give my cat something to antidote the effects of the most toxic plants for cats?
A: There is no specific antidote for most plants that are poisonous to cats, but most symptoms can be treated.
If you suspect your cat has been exposed to the most toxic plants for cats it’s important to contact your vet as soon as possible.
Q: Where do most of these most dangerous houseplants come from?
Q: What should I do if my cat has ingested the most toxic plants for cats?
A: If you think your cat has ingested the most poisonous plants, it’s important to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Most symptoms of plant poisoning can be treated, but it’s important to seek help as soon as possible.
Q: What is the most common result of most poisonous plants for cats?
A: The most common result of most poisonous plants for cats is vomiting and diarrhea.