This is not veterinary advice. Contact a vet for emergencies. Created with lived experience, not veterinary endorsement.
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20 Common Plants Toxic to Cats

If you suspect your cat has ingested any part of these plants (leaves, stems, flowers, pollen, or water from the vase), go to an emergency vet immediately. Bring a photo or sample of the plant.

WARNING: Lilies

True lilies (Lilium species) and Daylilies (Hemerocallis species) are extremely toxic to cats. Even a tiny amount of pollen licked off their fur or a sip of vase water can cause fatal kidney failure within 36-72 hours.

The List

  1. Lilies (True Lilies & Daylilies) - Severe acute kidney failure.
  2. Sago Palm - Severe liver failure, potentially fatal.
  3. Tulips - Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hypersalivation (mostly from the bulb).
  4. Oleander - Fatal heart abnormalities, drooling, vomiting.
  5. Castor Bean - Severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, intense thirst, weakness.
  6. Cyclamen - Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea. Large amounts of tubers cause heart rhythm abnormalities.
  7. Kalanchoe - Vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythm.
  8. Yew - Sudden death from heart failure. Tremors, difficulty breathing.
  9. Amaryllis - Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation.
  10. Autumn Crocus - Severe vomiting, GI bleeding, liver and kidney damage, respiratory failure.
  11. Chrysanthemum - Vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, incoordination.
  12. English Ivy - Vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, diarrhea.
  13. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) - Oral irritation, intense burning of mouth, lips, tongue, vomiting. (Not a true lily, but still toxic).
  14. Pothos - Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting.
  15. Schefflera - Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, lips, tongue, drooling.
  16. Azalea / Rhododendron - Vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, depression of the central nervous system. Severe poisoning could lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.
  17. Dieffenbachia - Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting.
  18. Daffodils - Vomiting, salivation, diarrhea; large ingestions cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors and cardiac arrhythmias.
  19. Hyacinth - Vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis, allergic reactions.
  20. Jade Plant - Vomiting, depression, ataxia (incoordination).

In our experience

In our experience, "cat safe" plants are the only way to go indoors. Cats will chew on practically anything green, and it is impossible to train them to leave a toxic plant alone 24/7. When in doubt, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately while on your way to the vet.