Having beautiful houseplants in our home is really nice, isn’t it? But if you have cats in your home, then you should definitely know what houseplants are toxic to cats.
Since I was also curious to know about it I did complete research. And in this article, I’m going to share with you everything I learned. Keep reading till the end to know about all of them.
Here are 15 houseplants that are toxic to cats:
Table of Contents
Aloe Vera
The Aloe Vera plant is very common in homes especially, because of the benefits of the gel from its leaves.
But the sad thing is, although aloe vera is so human-friendly, it is toxic to cats.
Symptoms: If the cats ingest it then it can cause lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The toxic properties present in aloe vera are saponins and anthraquinones. So if you have cats then you have to forget about the aloe vera as a houseplant or keep your cats away from them.
Lily
Lilies are really poisonous to cats. There are many varieties of lily
Even a few bites of the lily plant can cause a serious impact on the cats and even lead to death.
Symptoms: Vomiting, Salivation, Anorexia, And Depression, Kidney Failure, Death
Generally, lilies can be seen in bouquets. So if you have a cat in your house or the person you are going to gift the bouquet to has cats, make sure the bouquet doesn’t include the lily.
Snake Plant
The snake plant is helpful as a houseplant especially for purifying the air and absorbing toxins. But it is toxic to cats.
Symptoms: Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea if ingested.
So, although a snake plant is beneficial as a houseplant you need to be careful about its toxic property for cats.
Dumb Cane
Dumb cane which is also known as Dieffenbachias is a popular houseplant especially for its low maintenance requirement and beautiful tropical foliage.
But again, this plant is highly toxic to cats.
Symptoms: Vomiting, Burning of the Mouth, Oral Irritation, Swelling, and in severe cases it can also lead to difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
Moreover, according to thespruce.com, the sap of this plant can be a mild irritant for humans. So it should be kept away from the bare skin.
The toxic properties of dumb cane include Insoluble calcium oxalates and proteolytic enzymes.
Tulip
In tulips, the highest concentration of the toxin is present in the bulb. Tulips also belong to the Liliaceae family.
The symptoms are: Vomiting, Depression, Diarrhea, Hyper Salivation
So, make sure to keep tulips out of your house if you have cats.
Jade Plant
As the Aloe Vera plant, the Jade Plant is also a very common houseplant. This plant is very easy to grow as well.
There are many varieties of jade plants. It has dark green fleshy leaves and thick woody stems.
Symptoms: Vomiting, Lethargy, Depression, Incoordination
So, if you have cats then you should definitely keep this plant out of their reach.
Daffodils
While you may love daffodils, sadly they are toxic to cats. Actually, the daffodil bulbs contain crystals that are very harmful to cats if they eat them.
Moreover, the head and leaves can also make your cat unhealthy if eaten. As per cats.org.uk, the poisonous substance that daffodils contain is called lycorine.
Symptoms: Stomach Upset, Vomiting, Or wilder serious illness
So, it is best to keep daffodils away from your cats if you really love your cats.
You can also watch this video about plants that are toxic to cats.
Asparagus Fern
The asparagus fern is commonly seen in houses. They are normally found in a hanging basket.
But the thing is if you have kept it near your cats and for some reason, your cats rub against it then do keep in mind that it can cause skin irritation to your cat.
As per preventivevet.com, the asparagus plant and its berries can cause gastric upset for your cat.
Symptoms: Eating the berries of this plant can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, tenderness, or diarrhea. Whereas, frequent physical contact can cause skin irritation and rashes
So, you have to keep this away from the reach of your cats.
Sago Palm
The sago palm is also a great addition as a houseplant. But this plant is also toxic for cats.
Symptoms: If eaten then it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, liver failure, and even death.
So, if you have cats in your home you should stay away from this plant.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis are colorful and easy to care for. Even kids can care for this plant and so it is a favorite for families.
However, this plant can cause a serious impact on your cat’s gastric system.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, change in energy level, abdominal pain, tenderness, lack of appetite are some of the symptoms
Although all parts of this plant are toxic, the bulb part is generally more harmful to your pet. It can cause drops in blood pressure and also cause breathing problems.
So, it is better to avoid this as a houseplant considering your cat’s safety.
Cyclamen
This is a common flower and is generally given as a gift. It is usually found during the holidays in the home.
Although they are so beautiful, they are dangerous for your cats.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, and if the cat eats a significant part of the plant root then that can even cause irregular heartbeat, seizures, and death.
So don’t just forget about your cat’s safety by seeing the beauty of these flowers. Avoid them entering your home to protect your cat.
Ceriman
Ceriman, also known as the Swiss Cheese plant or the Hurricane plant. It is one of the most popular houseplants.
But since they have insoluble calcium oxalate, they can be toxic to cats
Symptoms: Extreme mouth irritation, Vomiting, Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing.
Moreover, if the cat’s skin comes in contact with the sap then it can cause irritation.
Dracaena
Dracaena is also known as the corn plant. Although this is a popular houseplant, it is toxic to cats.
Symptoms: Vomiting, Excessive drooling, mental dullness, change in energy level, lack of appetite, large pupils
Dracaena contains a compound called saponins which is harmful. So if you find your cat eating dracaena leaves you should contact your vet.
And as a precaution try to keep this plant out of the reach of your cats.
Pothos
Pothos are popular houseplants that require less maintenance. They are a great addition to your home but sadly they are also toxic to cats.
Symptoms: If your cat ingests it then the burning of the mouth and lips, vomiting, and oral swelling
So you should avoid pothos plants if you have cats in your home.
English Ivy
English Ivy is a popular houseplant that has small pointed leaves. It is also a great climber and it can cling to any surface because of the small roots that grow along its stem.
These plants look attractive but at the same time, they are toxic to cats
Symptoms: If the cat ingests it then it can cause symptoms like vomiting, weakness, throat swelling, excessive swelling, and others.
Hence, it is good to keep your cat away from the English Ivy as well.
Final Thoughts
So I hope now you have a clear idea of what houseplants are toxic to cats. (Although the ones I shared with you are only some of the common ones that we encounter most often. To know more you can refer to the entire list of plants toxic to cats on aspca.org.)
Actually, cats are obligate carnivores which means they are not adapted to eat plants. And because of that, they don’t really understand which plants are dangerous for them.
I know you might be thinking cats are carnivores so why would they eat houseplants, right? Well, according to Dr. Mahaney, in the diet of the cats, there could be a nutritional deficiency that encourages them to snack on a plant.
So it becomes your responsibility to safeguard your cat by avoiding the houseplants that are toxic to them.
And just because you have cats in your home doesn’t mean that you can’t have plants. Actually, you have to be a little creative and innovative.
You need to have more hanging plants, wall-based plants or anything like that which doesn’t allow the cats to come closer to those plants.
Related Questions
How Can You Tell if a Plant is Poisonous to Cats?
If some of the signs like Itchiness, scratching, swelling, red watery eyes, irritation around the mouth, are shown by the cat after eating a plant then that means that the plant is poisonous for the cat. The best way to prevent this is to be aware of the plants poisonous for cats and keep the cats away from them.
Are Succulents Poisonous to Cats?
The short answer is no not all succulents are poisonous to cats. However, there are some succulents like aloe vera, jade plants, are also poisonous to cats.
Are pothos toxic to cats?
Yes, pothos is quite toxic to cats because their leaves and stems contain calcium oxalate crystals. When the cat eats these plant leaves or stems, the crystals pass through the mouth, throat, and stomach, penetrates into soft tissues, and cause swelling of the tissues.
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