There are some plants that can be dangerous for your cat. You should know and avoid these so as not to endanger your kitty. However, many plants look very similar or have similar names, which can lead to confusion.
Here you can find out which indoor and garden plants are poisonous, how to recognize them, what typical symptoms of poisoning are, and what to do if your cat has eaten poisonous plants or parts of plants.
Cats and Plants – Identify plants
You have a green thumb and your apartment or garden is like a jungle? Then, as a responsible cat owner, you should know what is greening and sprouting – because many plants are highly toxic for your cat, and if it nibbles on them, it can even be fatal in the worst case.
Attention: The list in this article does not claim to be complete. There are simply too many poisonous plants for that. Therefore, you will find the most common and particularly toxic plants here. If you want more detailed information about poisonous plants, take a look at the poisonous plants page of the veterinary medicine portal or the very comprehensive plant page botany.
Which plants are poisonous to my cat?
Although cats are pure carnivores, they still like to nibble on greens – especially (cat) grass. There are several reasons for this: On the one hand, the indigestible plant components in your velvet paw help to excrete hair that the cat picks up when cleaning. The grass triggers nausea and the fur nose can regurgitate the swallowed hair along with the eaten greens.
On the other hand, grass contains folic acid, an important trace element that the animals cannot absorb through their meat meal. In order to satisfy your cat’s need for nibbling in a healthy way, you should always offer it a pot of cat grass, especially if you keep it indoors. This may reduce their interest in your houseplants.
Still, it’s important to protect your kitty from poisonous plants, because some cats are just too curious to keep their paws off the interesting greenery – or they get bored and take their frustration out on your gum tree.
Attention: Many plants look very similar or have similar names, which can lead to confusion. Sometimes they are also wrongly labeled in the garden center.
So that you can really identify the plants, you should always use the Latin / botanical name as a guide. This is the best way to identify growth. In this text, you will always find the botanical name in brackets after the normal plant name.
Poisonous houseplants
Not all poisonous plants are deadly for cats – some also “only” cause digestive problems such as vomiting or diarrhea. With some plants, however, even a very small amount is sufficient to cause life-threatening poisoning. If your cat has eaten it, you need to act quickly: off to the vet – and the more you can say about the toxin, the better. So pack up any vomit, even if it’s disgusting, take parts of the plant with you, or take a cell phone photo that shows the plant clearly.
Cyclamen or Cyclamen (Cyclamen)
VERY TOXIC! The cyclamen is a popular gift that you can find in any flower shop. It shouldn’t be in your apartment, because the triterpene saponins it contains, such as cyclamine, are highly toxic for your cat! The toxins trigger vomiting and diarrhea and, in the worst case, can cause severe circulatory disorders and even fatal respiratory paralysis.
Amaryllis (Amaryllis belladonna) / Knight’s Star (Hippeastrum)
VERY TOXIC! Various alkaloids are found in the onion of the knight star in particular. In particular, the lycorine it contains can cause symptoms of poisoning in your kitty, such as salivation, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as drowsiness. Paralysis, kidney damage and cardiac arrhythmias are also possible. Touching the plant can also cause skin irritation.
Azalea (Rhododendron simsii or Rhododendron japonicum)
Both indoor and garden azaleas belong to the rhododendron species and contain dangerous diterpenes, especially in the flowers and leaves, but also in the nectar. Horses in particular do not tolerate azaleas at all, but your kitty should also keep its paws off, because the toxins in the azalea can cause your velvet paw to salivate, stomach and intestinal inflammation, nausea, cramps, and even cardiac arrhythmia and breathing difficulties.
Weeping fig or Benjamini (Ficus benjamina) and rubber tree (Ficus elastica)
Ficus and gum tree are botanically related to ordinary fig trees, whose fruits are edible. The popular indoor plants are only slightly toxic to humans. However, cats should never nibble on it, because the milky sap in the ficus leaves contains resin and rubber as well as toxins such as furocoumarins and flavonoids. These can cause abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea and irritation of the mucous membranes in your kitty. Symptoms of paralysis and shortness of breath are also possible in rare cases. If you have other pets: Hares and rabbits react particularly badly to Ficus, even a few leaves can be fatal.
Bow hemp or bayonet plant (Sansevieria)
The houseplant with the elongated, green piebald leaves not only looks pretty boring (my opinion!), it also contains poisonous saponins in all parts of the plant, which can lead to cramps, vomiting and diarrhea in your velvet paw. The toxins are also hemolytic, which means they can break down your cat’s blood. So: Let’s get rid of the boring green stuff!
Clivia or belt leaf (Clivia miniata)
Although it was named after an English duchess, the clivia doesn’t show the finest manners when it comes to toxicity: The amaryllis plant with the bright red flowers contains lycorine, an alkaloid that can make your kitty salivate, vomit and have diarrhea. In severe cases of poisoning, paralysis can also occur.
Dieffenbachia or Schweigrohr (Dieffenbachia seguine)
VERY TOXIC! The Dieffenbachia is not to be trifled with, as not only does it contain toxic glycosides, alkaloids and saponins, but also calcium oxalate needles that shoot out when the plant is touched, causing skin and eye injuries. For four-legged friends, the Schweigrohr is dangerous to deadly. Poisoning shows up in your kitty in irritation of the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines. This can cause difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, loss of voice and bloody diarrhea. Since the toxic substances also pass into the water, your cat should under no circumstances drink from a Dieffenbachia flower coaster. It’s best if you don’t have this poisonous plant in the house at all.
Arum family (Araceae)
The arum family includes popular indoor plants such as ivy (Epipremnum pinnatum), window leaf/monstera (Monstera deliciosa), flamingo flower/anthurium (Anthurium scherzerianum), room calla (also called aronchalice, snakeroot or paper flower) (Zantedeschia aethiopica) and single leaf (also leaf flags, sheath leaves or peace lilies) (Spathiphyllum wallisii). The plants defend themselves against predators with pungent substances and calcium oxalate needles. If a curious kitty gets too close, the needles can shoot out and cause injuries to the eyes and face. When consumed, the toxins cause an unpleasant burning sensation in the mouth and cause the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat to swell. The “victim” of the defensive plant reacts with salivation and swallowing difficulties, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and states of excitement. Kidney damage and abnormally low calcium levels (so-called hypocalcaemia) are also possible.
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Word has gotten around that poinsettias are poisonous to pets – but how poisonous is the plant really? Opinions on this differ widely. What is certain is that the toxins beta-amyrin and germanicol are found in the milky sap of the spurge family. These can cause symptoms such as vomiting, (bloody) diarrhea, drowsiness, sleepiness, tremors and high temperature in your velvet paw. The amount of poison contained varies greatly, depending on whether it is wild or cultivated plants. Cultivated plants should only be slightly poisonous. But even with the specimens bred for the flower trade, you can occasionally catch highly toxic plants – apart from the fact that they are additionally mixed with pesticides and/or in the worst case even decorated with glitter particles. Anyone who simply does not buy a poinsettia and gives them to non-animal friends is definitely on the safe side.
Poisonous garden plants
If your outdoor cat is only in a fenced area, the best way to protect him from poisoning is to check your yard (or balcony) for poisonous plants and replace dangerous species with harmless ones. If your velvet paw goes its own way, it can also encounter poisonous plants in the neighbor’s garden or in the great outdoors. Fortunately, many cats are very picky when it comes to nibbling on greens – but unfortunately some are also quite curious! This is especially true for kittens. If your kitty comes back from her daily rounds with severe indigestion or other symptoms, you should always consider poisoning from chewing plants as well.
Christmas rose (Helleborus niger)
Christmas roses belong to the buttercup family and contain the toxins helleborin and protoanemonin. Even swallowing a few seed pods can trigger symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, colic, restlessness and signs of paralysis in your furry friend.
Ivy (Hedera helix)
The berries of the green climbing plant in particular contain poisonous triterpene saponins. The slightly less toxic leaves contain the active ingredient falcarinol. Your kitty should avoid both, because there is a risk of symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, excitement and cramps, especially when eating the berries. Pruning ivy also releases toxins. So make sure your cat doesn’t play with the sections when you hairdo your ivy.
Yew (Taxus baccata)
VERY POISONUS! The alkaloid taxine is contained in the needles and seeds of the yew tree. The toxin has an even stronger effect on the heart and circulation than foxglove poison and is potentially deadly for most four-legged friends. Your kitty should neither nibble on the needles nor inhale the yew pollen, because even small amounts of the ingredients lead to severe symptoms such as drooling, foaming at the mouth, severe gastrointestinal inflammation, diarrhea or constipation and problems with urination. In the further course, the animals begin to stagger and eventually suffer a fatal cardiovascular collapse – if they are not treated by the vet as soon as possible.
Aconite
VERY POISONUS! The monkshood is one of the most poisonous plants in Europe. All parts of the plant, but especially the tuber, contain the highly toxic alkaloid aconitine. Even a few milligrams of the poison can be deadly for your kitty. In addition to excessive salivation, enlarged pupils, restlessness, diarrhoea, cramps and increased temperature, poisoning with aconite also causes paralysis of the face and tongue, severe pain and cardiac arrhythmias, which in many cases are fatal.
If your fur nose has eaten plant parts, the first symptoms will appear after 10-20 minutes, in the case of severe poisoning, death can occur in less than an hour. Fast action (veterinarian!) is necessary for survival in the case of aconite poisoning.
Foxglove (Aconite)
VERY POISONUS! The plant with the bright pink calyxes contains highly toxic digitalis glycosides, which, even in small amounts, can cause cardiac arrhythmias in your velvet paw and, in the case of severe poisoning, cardiac arrest. Other symptoms include drowsiness, staggering, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea.
laburnum
VERY POISONUS! Laburnum contains not just one toxin, but four: cytisine, laburamine, laburnine, and N-methylcytisine. There is a particularly high concentration of toxins in the seeds. As little as 3 milligrams of cytisine per kilogram of body weight can be deadly. Poisoned fur noses appear restless or subdued, tremble and breathe heavily. Loss of balance, cramps, muscle twitching and gastrointestinal problems can also occur. Laburnum causes extreme nausea with vomiting in most four-legged friends, so that the poison comes out quickly in many cases. If this does not happen, there is a risk of fatal respiratory paralysis.
Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
The popular hedge plant has (unfortunately!) a lot to offer: the leaves and seeds of the cherry laurel in particular contain glycosides that release hydrocyanic acid in your velvet paw’s stomach. The four-legged friends react to poisoning with cherry laurel with heavy salivation, irritation of the mucous membranes, gastrointestinal complaints, restlessness and breathing problems, which can even lead to respiratory arrest in the case of severe poisoning.
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
VERY POISONUS! “Keep your hands off the lily of the valley!!!” I learned as a child: Like the highly toxic foxglove, the innocent, white-flowering heralds of spring contain a dangerous glycoside that, in the worst case, can cause cardiac arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest in cats (and humans!). Other symptoms include gastrointestinal problems and diarrhea, lethargy, cramps and balance disorders. The fatal dose is assumed to be around 0.08 milligrams of the toxin per kilogram of body weight.
The contained convallatoxin is also absorbed by the flower water when lily of the valley is picked, which is why your kitty should not drink from it under any circumstances. If your furry friend has the same preferences as mine (oh, yummy, stale flower water!), it’s best to leave the lilies of the valley in the park and put some roses in your vase – they’re harmless to cats.
Oleander or rose laurel (Nerium oleander)
VERY POISONUS! The bad news: oleander plants contain the glycosides oleandrin and neandrin and have a similarly strong toxic effect on your velvet paw’s organism as the highly toxic foxglove. The highest concentration of poison is found in the seeds of the plant.
The good news is that since all parts of the plant taste like “puke,” your kitty will probably throw them back fairly quickly. It only becomes dangerous if your cat has eaten oleander parts and does not vomit them up again immediately. Typical symptoms of oleander poisoning are dilated pupils, poor circulation and therefore cool legs, as well as gastrointestinal problems and diarrhea. In severe cases, fatal cardiac arrest can occur.
Miracle tree or castor oil plant (Ricinus communis)
VERY POISONUS! With the miracle tree, it is the young leaves and especially the seeds that can be dangerous for your kitty. In addition to various alkaloids, the miracle tree contains the protein ricin, one of the strongest natural toxins of all. For a 4kg cat, as little as 4-8 grams of seeds can be fatal. Ricin poisoning can cause severe damage to the stomach, intestines, liver and kidneys, which is manifested by weakness, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and nausea. In addition, the toxin destroys the red blood cells, so that affected animals can still die of circulatory failure up to 48 hours after the poisoning. If your fur nose has eaten miracle tree seeds, there is only one thing to do: go to the vet as soon as possible!
Datura (Datura) and Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia)
VERY POISONUS! Datura or Angel’s Trumpet is one of the most poisonous garden and wild plants. Anyone who has four-legged roommates should avoid the plant, because the toxins it contains – including scopolamine, hyoscyamine and atropine – are similar to those of the highly toxic deadly nightshade. The poison content is particularly concentrated during the flowering period and in the roots and seeds of Datura. Under no circumstances should your kitty come into contact with it or eat any of it – otherwise there is a risk of severe symptoms of poisoning such as dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, tremors, cardiac arrhythmia and shortness of breath up to circulatory arrest.
Thuja or tree of life (Thuja and Thuja occidentalis)
VERY POISONUS! The tips of the thuja branches in particular contain essential oils and the toxin thujone, which can cause skin irritation, digestive problems, cramps and liver and kidney damage in your kitty.
Boxwood (Buxaceae)
A total of 70 different alkaloids can be found in the leaves, flowers and bark of this green garden classic. The main active ingredient is the toxic cyclobuxin. The toxin initially leads to restlessness, gastrointestinal problems and cramps in your furry friend. As the poisoning progresses, low blood pressure and paralysis can occur, which in the worst case can lead to respiratory arrest.
Rhododendron or Alpenrose (Rhododendron obtusum, Rhododendron micranthum, Rhododendron yakushimanum and Rhododendron Hybride)
VERY POISONUS! Like its little sister, the azalea, the rhododendron contains toxic diterpenes such as andromedotoxin not only in the flowers and leaves, but also in the nectar and pollen. Even small amounts of toxins can cause stomach and intestinal inflammation, salivation and cramps in your velvet paw if it nibbles or swallows parts of plants. In the case of severe poisoning, symptoms of paralysis and even fatal respiratory paralysis are possible.
Holly or podthorn or winter berries (Ilex)
VERY POISONUS! The dark green holly with its bright red fruits is not only prickly, but also very poisonous. In dogs, 20 berries are assumed to be the lethal dose – in house tigers, even fewer berries can trigger severe symptoms. For example, urolic acid and polyphenols in the leaves and berries of the Ilex cause gastrointestinal problems with diarrhea and vomiting, drowsiness and heart and circulatory problems.
Poisonous cut flowers
I once had an animal roommate with a very special hobby: as soon as there was a bouquet on the table, the tomcat crept into the kitchen at an unobserved moment to bite the heads off all the flowers. Only the stems were still in the vase. Living up to the description of the breed (“Maine Coons love water”), my large Maine Coon prefers to knock over flower vases and then grope or lick the water. If you have cats, you should always pay close attention to what you put in the vase. Many popular cut flowers are poisonous and the poison can also migrate into the flower water. Your kitty shouldn’t nibble on it or drink from the water. To be on the safe side, it’s best to decorate your home with non-toxic beauties such as B. Roses.
The cut flowers mentioned here are of course also poisonous as garden or pot plants. Here you should also make sure that your fur nose does not nibble on roots or bulbs, as this is where the poison is usually most concentrated.
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum)
Beautiful to look at, but not edible: Many types of chrysanthemum contain toxic pyrethrins, which are also used as a component of insecticides. Not only the flowers, but also the leaves and stems of the plant can cause severe symptoms of poisoning in your kitty, such as drowsiness, irritation of the mucous membranes and, in severe cases, liver and kidney failure and blindness.
Lily (Lilium)
VERY POISONUS! The magnificent flowers, which often exude an intoxicating scent, have no place in a cat household – sorry! Because all parts of the plant including the pollen are highly toxic. How exactly the toxic effect comes about has not been finally clarified. One thing is certain: Even small amounts can cause serious damage to your furry friend. For this it is sufficient if she licks up a few pollen from the ground or nibbles lightly on the flower. The flower water is also taboo for your darling, because the toxins go into the water. The symptoms of lily poisoning, such as loss of appetite, apathy, severe thirst, frequent urination and vomiting, appear relatively harmless at first, but indicate dangerous damage to the kidneys, which can even end days later in acute kidney failure. Has your cat had contact with lilies and is showing the symptoms mentioned? Off to the vet now! Since there is no antidote, the poison has to get out as quickly as possible.
Narcissus or daffodil (Narcissus)
In addition to other alkaloids, the beautiful, yellow spring flower contains the poisonous lycorine, which also passes into the flower water. Once your kitty has picked up your bouquet of daffodils or licked up some of the flower water, she can develop symptoms of poisoning such as diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, tremors and cardiac arrhythmias.
Tulips (Tulipa)
A bouquet of tulips is fine – but not as cat food! Because the brightly colored dabs of color contain tulipanin, a poison that can cause diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps in your furry friend even in small amounts. Severe poisoning can even lead to respiratory arrest.
Poisonous kitchen plants
Whether kitchen herbs on the windowsill or delicious avocado cream – not everything that we humans like is also digestible for our furry friends. Check out our article on toxic foods for cats to learn more about which ones are harmful or even toxic to your cat. Plants in the kitchen that are poisonous or at least intolerable for cats include bulbous plants such as chives, garlic, onions and leeks, avocados, raw legumes, and nightshade plants such as potatoes or peppers.
Cat-friendly plants for the balcony or garden
If, after reading this article, you are wondering whether there are actually plants that are NOT poisonous to velvet paws, I can reassure you: Of course there are! The following is a small, incomplete list of “cat-friendly” plants for the garden or balcony.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Bamboo (Bambusoideae)
Maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum)
Cat Germander (Teucrium marum)
Cat grass (e.g. germinating wheat, barley or rye)
Catnip (Nepeta Cataria)
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Melissa (melissa)
Violet (Viola)
Wollziest (Stachys byzantina)
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
Cyprus grass (Cyperus)
