What Flowers Are Toxic To Cats

Lily Of The Valley Plants

Looking at the petite petals on this overall dainty looking plant, you wouldnt guess the powerfully toxic punch it packs. Although it is different than the previously mentioned species of Lily and does not result in acute kidney failure, it is still quite poisonous and requires quick action on your part if you catch your favorite furry friend partaking in a Lily of the Valley snack.

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Why Certain Flowers Are Poisonous To Cats

In order to know why you should keep certain blossoms away from your cat, its important to understand some of the science behind it.

Glucuronidation is the way with which many substances, such as drugs and toxins, are metabolized in the body to become more readily excreted out of the body by the kidneys or bile, Dr. Spano told The Dodo.

And as it turns out, your cat actually doesnt have some of the enzymes that help this process along in other animals.

Many substances are actually cleared, or metabolized and then eliminated, from the body much slower in felines relative to other species, making them much more susceptible to the effects of the substances they ingest, including toxins, Dr. Spano explained.

Lilies The Most Dangerous

People favor lilies because of their beauty and strong scent, but they top this list due to their high toxicity to cats. Its common for bouquets to include lilies. Easter lilies are regular springtime additions to many homes. But if theres a cat in the house, this is incredibly dangerous. The leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the scent of lilies can make a cat sick. If they dont go near the flowers, they could still inhale the pollen that sheds from them. They could even become dangerously ill if they drink the water from the vase. All lilies are toxic to cats. The result of lily poisoning in cats is kidney failure. The reason that lilies are so lethal to cats has not yet been pinpointed. All thats known is that a chemical in the plant destroys the kidneys. Keep lilies out of the house if you have a cat. If you think that your cat has ingested any part of a lily, this is a medical emergency and your cat should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.

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Chrysanthemum Is Specifically Toxic To Cats

While this beautiful bloom actually contains pyrethrins, which are used in flea and tick medications for canines, that same ingredient can be highly toxic for your feline friend. Because these flowers are colorful and bright, they are popular in both bouquets and as a planted yard decoration. If your cat consumes any part of a chrysanthemum, they might become uncoordinated or show some kind of skin reaction such as dermatitis. Other common symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea may occur, and like azaleas, this flower can cause lethargy or loss of appetite in your cat.

Is Fresh Cut Flower Food Harmful To Cats

Generally, flower food contain things like sugar and citric acid, along with little bleach to reduce bacterial growth. They are not terribly toxic to cats but might cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested.

If youre concerned about your cat drinking the water out of a vase , it is best to avoid it altogether.

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.

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Severely Toxic Plants To Cats

Severely toxic plants can include any of the following:

• With exception to peace lily and , all other lily varieties are major threats to cats, causing kidney failure and death. It takes only a small amount to result in poisoning.
• Hydrangea shrubs contain a toxin similar to cyanide and can quickly lead to oxygen deprivation and death.
• All parts of sago palm are considered poisonous, with the seeds being the most toxic part of the plant. Ingestion results in acute gastrointestinal symptoms, tremors, and severe liver failure.
• Oleander, even in small amounts, can kill your cat. All parts are highly toxic, resulting in digestive problems, vomiting and diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, depression, and death.
• Mistletoe can also lead to death. Other symptoms include digestive irritation, low heart rate and temperature, breathing difficulty, staggering, excess thirst, seizures, and coma.
• In small doses, even a couple bites, the skunk cabbage plant can cause burning and swelling of the mouth and a choking sensation. Eating large portions of the leaves can, in extreme cases, be fatal.

With any of these above severely poisonous plants for cats, dont wait for major symptoms to appear. Take your cat to the vet, along with the plant as soon as you can. Also, keep in mind that symptoms will vary from cat to cat, depending on their size and the parts or quantities of the plant ingested.

For more extensive lists of plants poisonous to cats, please visit:

What Plants Are Safe For Cats

There are some outdoor plants our feline friends simply adore, so why not treat them and grow a patch especially for them. Thanks to their natural occurring chemicals, many types of nepeta or catmint send our furry pals in to a non-toxic state of euphoria.

Common valerian has a similar effect due to the actinidine present while Teucrium marum or Cat Thyme is a real favourite with a more select number. Closely related to the germander plant it has small grey-green leaves, fragrant pink blooms in summer and a musty scent. Happy in USDA zones 7b 10b, it reaches up to 2-3ft high .

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Do Not Plant The Orange Star Plant If You Have Children Or Pets

Can a plant called orange star poison humans? The orange star plant contains toxic compounds that can be consumed. The leaves, roots, and flowers of the plant pose a threat to humans and dogs because they are poisonous. Do plants around sun star poison? According to a scientific study, drinking Sun Star plant flowers or bulbs can make you feel shortness of breath. Because of their glycosides, the bulbs are poisonous. How do orange star flowers bloom? These bright flowering bulbs, which are also known as the Star of Bethlehem, snake flower, and sun star, have clusters of bright orange flowers and will brighten up pots and borders year after year. You can also create magnificent cut flowers that can be displayed indoors. Can you plant orange star plants outside? It can be grown in USDA zones 7 to 11, and it can be planted in the garden all year. Orange Star bulbs and house plants are grown in areas other than the Southeast. Full sun is required for the flowers to appear brightly orange.

A List Of Flowers Poisonous To Cats

Veterinarians recommend preventing cats access to the following flowers. Keep in mind that any contact with these and other toxic flowers for cats can be dangerous.

Chewing on some plants is enough to cause toxicity, and ingestion is not always necessary to become poisoned, says Kelley.

Flowers that are toxic to cats include:

• True lilies and daylilies

*These lists are not all-inclusive, so if youre unsure about any plant, its safest to check with a professional.

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Are Daffodils Poisonous To Cats

While daffodils are a beautiful sign of spring, they are unfortunately dangerous for our feline friends. Daffodil bulbs contain crystals that are extremely toxic to cats if eaten.

The heads and leaves can also make your cat unwell if consumed. Daffodils contain a poisonous substance called lycorine. If digested, this can cause stomach upset, vomiting or wider serious illness.

If you suspect your cat has ingested any part of a daffodil, please seek advice from your vet immediately.

Keeping Your Cat Safe In The Garden

It’s harder to protect your cats outdoors as they will have a greater territory than just your garden. However, thankfully, as cats are discriminate eaters, they are unlikely to try eating anything unfamiliar and will most likely spend their time nibbling on safe grass or watching everything else going on out there.

To help keep your cat safe outdoors:

• Familiarise yourself with outdoor plants poisonous to cats and avoid having these in your garden altogether
• Promptly clear up any prunings
• Keep bulbs such as tulips and daffodils out of reach

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What Happens If Your Cats Eats A Poisonous Flower

The effects of the poisonous substance can vary widely, from irritants to the mucosal lining of the oral cavity to devastating kidney failure, Dr. Spano said. The amount required to ingest in order to lead to clinical signs also varies, and unfortunately for some flowers even very small amounts can be fatal.

That means unless you catch your cat in the act, you might not even realize she ate part of a flower thats toxic to her before its too late which is why its best to keep dangerous plants totally out of your house.

If you are fortunate to realize , she MUST be taken to her closest emergency veterinarian hospital immediately, Dr. Spano explained. Unfortunately, the timeline with which the prognosis can go from good to poor may be very short.

If your cat gets into some lilies, for example, it can take as little as 12 hours for her symptoms to go from depression and having no appetite to serious kidney injury.

So long as caught early enough, treatment will likely include hospitalization on intravenous fluids for a few days to flush these toxins out of the body ASAP, Dr. Spano said. This severe reaction may not happen with every plant considered poisonous however these plants are considered poisonous for a reason, and the cat should still be treated immediately.

Dr. Spano also recommends having the number handy for the ASPCA Poison Control Center . You can reach the hotline at 426-4435.

Flowers That Are Poisonous To Cats

Theres no denying the beauty of freshly-cut tulips or a garden bed of lilies, but flowers like these can make cats sick or even be fatal. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center reports that both indoor and outdoor plants are among the top 10 toxins pets most frequently ingest.

We see regular cases of exposure and intoxication with indoor and outdoor cats, says Dr. Kevin Kelley, an emergency veterinarian at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Hospital in Clearwater, Florida.

This doesnt mean you need to completely give up flowers. Knowing which flowers are poisonous to catsand taking steps to prevent access to them can go a long way to keeping your cat safe.

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Look Out For Lilies: Toxic To Cats

Lilies are at the top of the list. These gorgeous bloomsfound commonly in bouquets and growing in the gardencan be extremely dangerous to cats. Theyre such a common threat Brutlag and her team created the No Lilies for Kitties! campaign to warn cat owners about the dangers of these toxic plants. Varieties of lilies that have been identified as particularly toxic include:

• Asiatic lily, including hybrids

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What Should I Do If I Think My Cat Has Eaten A Poisonous Plant

If you suspect that your cat has eaten a poisonous plant, you must take them to the vet without delay. With poisoning, time is of the essence, so don’t take the ‘let’s wait and see’ approach.

Be sure to give the vet as much information as you can on what your pet may have ingested .

Note that if you’ve seen your cat eat a poisonous plant but can’t see any symptoms, you’ll still need to take them to the vet as a precaution.

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Are Lilacs Poisonous To Cats

One of springs most aromatic flowers, the common lilac is a violet-colored shrub that can also come in shades of lavender, burgundy, white, yellow, and blue.

Lilacs have a slightly bitter taste, which may deter cats from eating them. Even if cats do make contact with lilacs, they shouldnt become seriously ill, says Bischoff, who frequently cuts lilacs in the spring and places them around her own home.

I think in a worst-case scenario, a cat might get an upset stomach and maybe vomit or have some diarrhea, she says.

As mentioned above, while the common lilac is not poisonous, the Persian lilac is, so pet owners should know the difference between the two varieties before planting or plucking.

Day Lily / Hemerocallis

Gardeners grow daylilies for their sweet perfume and showy blooms, but unfortunately every part of the stately lily is highly toxic to cats. Even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant can cause severe kidney damage, say the experts at ASPCA .

Even if your pet is wary enough not to eat any part of the plant, just brushing against or getting the pollen on their paws, before licking or grooming themselves can be enough to cause severe illness. Eliminate the risk and not only avoid growing them in the yard but don’t display them as indoor cut flowers, either.

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Help My Cat Ate A Toxic Plant

If you’re reading this because your cat ate a little of a plant, go straight to the free databases at Pet Poison Helpline or ASPCA Animal Poison Control. They spell out dangers to pets of ingesting dozens of different plants.

If your cat is showing symptoms of potential plant poisoning, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline or ASPCA Animal Poison Control . Signs of potential poisoning in a cat may include, but are not limited to:

Azalea Is Moderately Toxic For Cats

Azalea is commonly found in many American yards and it is part of the rhododendron plant family. All rhododendrons are poisonous for cats, with azaleas only moderately toxic for your feline friend. Cats might be inclined to chew on all parts of the plant and ingestion can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. In serious cases, consuming azalea might impact a cats central nervous system and cardiovascular system.

All rhododendron plants contain grayanotoxins, and other members of this plant family can cause different reactions, with some more severe than azalea consumption.

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Cats And Poisonous Flowers And Plants

The most dangerous plant is the lily – all parts are toxic. However, there are other plants and flowers, both indoors and outdoors, that can be harmful to cats.Will cats eat poisonous plants?Most cats are very wary of eating anything unusual, which means plant poisoning cases taken to the vets are rare. When a cat does become unwell, it is usually because something has brushed on their fur or paws, which they have then ingested while grooming.

Final Thoughts Plants That Are Toxic To Cats

Houseplants like Lilies, Aloe, or Jade are popular choices for sprucing up a home. All plants have their benefits, but we need to keep a closer eye on toxic plants around our furry friends by ensuring they are far out of reach or gone completely from the household! Try pet-safe plants like the Gloxinia, African Violet, or Areca Palm to make sure your cat will never be at risk and to keep your home as beautiful as possible!

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Can You Plant Orange Star Plant Outside

It can grow year round in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 11 if grown outdoors. Outside of the Southeast, Orange Star bulbs and house plants are grown as a bulb plant or houseplant. It requires a lot of sun in order to produce its vibrant orange flowers.

Many different species of orange star plants have been named after or are associated with the city of Bethlehem, including the star of Bethlehem. Grow them in a container as long as the light is enough to cover the entire plant. Its flowers, which are one of the plants most noticeable features, are its most prominent feature. You had your hands full watering, maintaining a temperature and light level, and cleaning the orange star plant. The steps we described can be used to give your plant a good start. The same type of fertilizer is required to ensure a successful bloom as is standard for most houseplants. Pests and bugs attack your orange star plants, just like they do with all houseplants.

Can I Give My Cat Cbd

Yes, you can give your cat CBD! In fact, CBD for pets can even be used to help a cat that has accidentally ingested poisonous plants . CBD can ease stomach discomfort, promote a calm state, and alleviate a sick animals nervous thoughts.

CBD encourages these relaxed feelings throughout your pets body by boosting its endocannabinoid system . Think of the ECS as a control room. It helps the body regulate its daily, essential functions by keeping everything in order and contributing to the cats overall well-being.

The ECS is present in all mammals, and this control center is busy at work right now in your feline friend! You can give this system some support with CBD, which boosts the ECSs functionality. If the ECS is a control room full of busy technicians, CBD is the fresh pot of coffee that lifts their spirits!

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How Do I Know If My Pet Has Eaten A Poisonous Plant

The most obvious way you may know that your pet has eaten a dangerous plant, is if you catch them eating it. If you see your pet eating a potentially dangerous plant, always call your vet for advice straight away dont wait for symptoms to appear.

However, you may not always see your pet eating a poisonous plant, therefore you may not know until they start to show symptoms. Symptoms of plant toxicity or poisoning can include some or all:

• Eating less/not eating

As well as plants that are toxic when theyre eaten, some plants are irritant to the skin or mouth, leading to rashes/red skin, ulcers or swelling on the lips, tongue or gums.

The best way to keep your pet safe from toxic plants, is to monitor them when theyre outside as much as possible and to only keep safe plants in your garden.

For more information, or to learn more about what your pets symptoms could mean, visit our Pet Health Hub. If you think your pet might need emergency care, contact your vet for help immediately.