5 common houseplants that are toxic to cats: what to avoid

Table Of Content

• Sago Palms (Cardboard Palm, Cycads, Coontie Palm, Zamias)
• Lilies — The Most Dangerous
• Why are certain house plants toxic to cats and not other animals?
• Popular Household Plants That Are Toxic to Cats
• Are You Using the Wrong Kind of Water on Your Houseplants?
• What Do I Do If My Cat Eats A Plant?
• The nutrition your dog needs, the food they want.

Keep moist during the summer months and the plant should flourish and produce many scented flowers. In the wild, fronds would grow 20 to 59 inches long and up to 8 inches wild but domestically you are unlikely to achieve such good growth. A nontoxic relative of the African violet, which proves that gesneriads are both benign and free-blooming, the cape primrose has strappy, highly textured leaves and seldom surpasses 12 inches in height. The Streptocarpus hybrids can produce clusters of trumpet-shaped blooms in a wide variety of colors but they prefer somewhat cooler conditions (60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) than the violet does.

Sago Palms (Cardboard Palm, Cycads, Coontie Palm, Zamias)

If bulbs are chewed on or consumed, your cat can develop oral and esophageal irritations causing drooling and nausea,” explains Dr. McCarthy. “Consumption of hyacinths can also cause intense vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes with blood. Severe toxicity can cause depression, tremors, increased heart rate and respiratory rate, and difficulty breathing. Azaleas are typically grown as ornamental outdoor foliage, but they’re also found in floral arrangements or sometimes kept as indoor potted plants. If your cat eats any part of the plant, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and potentially cardiac failure. Mild signs of Poinsettia toxicity in pets may include vomiting, drooling, and, rarely, diarrhea.

Lilies — The Most Dangerous

Hailing from the same family as prayer plants, the stromanthe “trio star” (stromanthe sanguinea) thrives in very humid climates. Known for its distinctive long leaves that are colored various pink, white and green hues, this tropical houseplant thrives in medium-to-bright indirect light but can tolerate low light, as well. The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is pet-friendly, air-purifying, and said to bring good luck and positive energy into your home.

Why are certain house plants toxic to cats and not other animals?

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"If you believe your cat has ingested any part of a lily plant, please seek emergency medical care," says Dr. Fox. A very common houseplant, sago palm is severely toxic to cats if ingested. "All parts of the plant are toxic, but the seeds are the most potent," says Dr. Fox. Signs your cat has consumed sago palm typically begin as gastrointestinal, which includes vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. Within several hours symptoms may progress to neurologic signs, such as incoordination, muscle tremors, and seizures. Most of us own houseplants—they're rewarding to care for, serve as décor, and are even known to have mood-boosting properties.

The reasoning for their toxicity is that the plants are covered in microscopic needles which are extremely painful for animals when ingested. Mark says, "Every part of the plant contains nanoscopic needle-like crystals known as insoluble oxalates." During summer, be cautious of spiky seeds from grass or non-toxic weeds such as wood avens, as they can get stuck in your cat's ears, nose, paws, or even skin. Brush off any seeds from their fur and check around their face and paws to prevent discomfort or health issues for your cat. If you suspect your cat may have ingested any part of the lily plant, please seek advice from your vet immediately.

Popular Household Plants That Are Toxic to Cats

If your cat ate a plant and you aren't sure if it is toxic, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline as soon as possible. Fiddle leaf, also referred to as horsehead philodendron, is a common houseplant plant due to its reputation for being low maintenance. The one downside, is that the plant is toxic to cats when ingested and can cause skin and gastrointestinal irritation.

You’ll be given instructions based on the severity of the symptoms. Also referred to as rubber plants, money plants or lucky plants, jade can cause vomiting, neurological symptoms such as incoordination and sometimes even depression, says Dr. Zacharias. The toxic component isn’t completely understood at this point, but it’s important to seek veterinary care immediately if you suspect your cat has eaten this plant. Knowing which plants are toxic to dogs and how to recognize poisoning signs can minimize your pup’s risk and ensure a good prognosis. Here’s what to avoid in your home or garden and what to do if your dog eats a toxic plant.

What Do I Do If My Cat Eats A Plant?

If your cat eats daffodils, remove access to the plant right away and contact your veterinarian. Calling ASPCA pet poison control or the Pet Poison Helpline right away is also a smart move. Pet lovers should also know the dangerous mistakes cat owners should never make. Though aloe vera is often a household staple—especially in the kitchen, where its healing powers can be employed at the ready—this plant is toxic to cats. The gel itself is actually considered edible when extracted, but the thick plant material that surrounds the gel can cause gastro upset (including vomiting), lethargy and diarrhea, says the ASPCA.

But don’t be fooled by their adorable appearance — the leaves and seeds are toxic. In a pot, sago palms stay cute and small, making them ideal for desks and bookshelves. Several herbs, such as basil, coriander, thyme, and valerian root are generally safe to keep around cats. Thankfully, if the container/vase that cut flowers are put in is clean, and the water is clean and refreshed regularly, the vase life of the flowers will be just as good. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.

This tall, colorful plant will make a wonderful addition to the home in a spot that receives partial sunlight and water once per week. The African violet (saintpaulia), also known as the cape marigold, is a beautiful and common houseplant. This plant favors moderate temperatures and average humidity, and can also bloom in low light.

Other plants should be avoided entirely, like lilies and sago palms. Plenty of cat-friendly plants exist, ready to fit snugly on your bedroom shelf. Larkspur, also known as Delphinium, is highly toxic to cats and is best to keep out of the home and garden. Salvia and coneflowers are great alternatives to grow instead and are equally welcoming of birds and bees outside. This post lists 15 common houseplants that should be avoided by cat owners—usually. In some cases, cat owners can have a plant that is not necessarily cat-friendly as long as they are kept away from their kitties.

However, the autumn crocus (fall-blooming) belongs to the Liliaceae family, the same family that lilies and tulips belong to. These plants cause severe organ damage and can be lethal, so keep the autumn crocus at the garden store. Like the fiddle-leaf fig and philodendron, the pothos is in the Araceae family and will irritate your cat’s mouth to the point of burning it. They hang nicely near windows and only require minimal sunshine to be happy.

Managing orchids can be a challenge, as these plants are notoriously easy to over-water. Some orchid lovers rely on ice cubes to slowly provide moisture; as the ice cubes melt, the plant absorbs the water. Nontoxic to cats this plant is relatively easy to care for as it likes northern facing windows where the light is bright but indirect. These plants like bright indirect light, and moist soils and require feeding monthly. Bright indirect light and sporadic watering are all it takes for even the most useless gardener to keep this hardy plant alive and flourishing. Here are 15 common plants that are toxic to cats, based on information provided by the ASPCA.

Signs typically happen within 15 minutes to 3–4 hours after eating. Even with aggressive treatment, the survival rate is approximately about 50%. Signs are typically seen within minutes of ingestion and may take up to 2 hours to develop depending on the product ingested. The most common symptoms are vomiting, lethargy, decreased appetite, and an uncoordinated gait (stumbling). Excessive drooling, mental dullness, change in energy level, lack of appetite, dilated pupils, and vomiting (occasionally with blood). The Ceriman is one of the most popular household plants because of its tropical appearance.