If you're a cat owner, it's essential to know that certain flowers can be toxic to your feline friend. While they might be beautiful and aromatic, these flowers can pose health risks if ingested or even just touched by your cat. Here's a list of flowers to avoid:
-
Lilies (Lilium spp. and Hemerocallis spp.)
- Especially toxic: Easter lily, daylily, Asiatic lily, and tiger lily.
- Symptoms: Kidney failure, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy.
- Note: All parts of the lily are toxic to cats.
-
Tulips (Tulipa spp.)
- Especially toxic: Bulbs.
- Symptoms: Oral irritation, drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
-
Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)
- Especially toxic: Bulbs.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cardiac arrhythmias, hypotension.
-
Oleander (Nerium oleander)
- Symptoms: Vomiting, decreased heart rate, diarrhea, death.
-
Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
- Symptoms: Oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, multi-organ damage, respiratory failure.
-
Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
- Especially toxic: Seeds.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, liver failure, seizures.
-
Cyclamen (Cyclamen spp.)
- Especially toxic: Roots.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythms.
-
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.)
- Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, arrhythmias.
-
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
- Symptoms: Oral irritation, drooling, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.
-
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
- Symptoms: Drooling, nausea, vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms, death.
-
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.)
- Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis, loss of coordination.
- Hyacinth (Hyacinthus spp.)
- Especially toxic: Bulbs.
- Symptoms: Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea.
- Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp.)
- Symptoms: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, tremors, decreased appetite.
- Azalea/Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)
- Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, depression, possible coma.
Safety Tips:
- Always double-check before bringing any plant or flower into a home with cats.
- If unsure about a particular flower, consult with a vet or consult the ASPCA's list of toxic and non-toxic plants.
- If you believe your cat has ingested a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Disclaimer: This list is not exhaustive, and other plants may also be harmful to cats. Always do your research and consult with professionals when in doubt.
