Plants Poisonous to Cats

"Cats like to chew green things.
Be sure to provide something safe
for your kitty to chew on."

If you suspect that your cat or kitten has ingested any plants poisonous to cats or other toxic substances, you must act immediately.

If You Suspect Your Cat Has Been Poisoned...

Call your veterinarian or local emergency animal clinic right away.

If you suspect your pet may have ingested any potentially poisonous substance and you cannot get a hold of your veterinarian or other local emergency pet service, in North America, you can call the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-4ANIHELP (1-888-426-4435). They are available 24/7.

The Animal Poison Control Center is a non-profit organization without funding, so they will charge you $65 (USD) on a major credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover) to help them run this critical 24-hour service.

If you're taking your cat or kitten to the veterinarian, it's best to take a sample of the plant or other poisonous substance along with you so the vet will know exactly what your kitty has ingested and they can treat him or her accordingly.

Protect Your Cat From Toxic Houseplants

Most kitties love to chew on greenery, and often the only greenery to be found indoors is your houseplants.

Unfortunately, many common indoor plants are plants poisonous to cats. Some are even fatal to our animal companions.

If you have houseplants in your home, be sure they are safe and not toxic to your kitty.

If there is some reason you must have poisonous houseplants in your home, or if you're not certain if they are dangerous or not, be sure to keep these plants poisonous to cats entirely out of your cat's reach. (And remember that felines can climb and jump really high!)

The safest bet for you and your cat  is to not keep plants poisonous to cats indoors where your pets may eat them.

See the list of plants poisonous to cats below.

Insecticides on Houseplants

Even "safe, non-poisonous" plants can be poisonous to your pet. Most greenery found at nurseries, supermarkets or other stores are sprayed with insecticides.

Some insecticide ingredients can make otherwise safe plants become plants poisonous to cats. These can cause serious neurological damage and even death to your feline or other pets. Even a small nibble on a plant sprayed with insecticides can make your kitty violently ill.

You can protect your cat or kitten by knowing the origin of the "safe" plants you bring into your home.

Don't hesitate to ask the nursery what insecticides they use on their plants, and then research the insecticide used to make sure it's not toxic to pets.

How to Stop Your Cat from Chewing on Plants

Let's say you've found some non-poisonous, insecticide-free houseplants. You probably still don't want your cat to chew on these, even if she finds them particularly tasty.

One solution to prevent your cat from chewing your houseplants is to regularly spray diluted lemon juice on the leaves. Most cats hate this taste and will leave your leaves alone.

If your cat is digging into the soil around your plants, you can place gravel or wire mesh over the soil. (Digging into the soil may also be a sign that the litter box needs better care.)

Do not make the mistake of spraying plants poisonous to cats with diluted lemon juice and thinking they won't eat the plant. You should only use the diluted lemon juice on plants you have determined are safe, not on plants poisonous to cats. While the lemon juice can be a deterrent, it's not a guarantee.

The best solution to keeping your kitty safe is by keeping plants poisonous to cat out of your home entirely.

Giving Your Cat Her Own Plant to Chew

'Muffin' eating cat grass Muffin eating her cat grass

Giving your cat or kitten her own "plant" to chew is another solution. It also is actually beneficial for your cat's digestion and helps her get rid of unwanted matter, such as hairballs.

Many pet supply stores and even grocery stores now sell cat grass.

Catnip, sage, thyme and parsley are also safe for your cat to chew in moderate amounts.

Wheat (not "wheat grass") and oat-grass sprouts are also safe and tasty for your feline companion.

Ordinary lawn grass should be avoided, as it has razor-sharp spines that can cut your cat's mouth and even harm her digestive tract; it also may have been sprayed with unsafe insecticides.

Your cat may vomit a greenish liquid with some plant fragments after eating a safe plant, such as cat grass. Don't worry. This is normal, as long it isn't excessive or constant.

Growing a "Plant" for Your Cat to Chew

You can even grow plants specifically for your cat's enjoyment.

Cat eating cat grass from planterGrow Your Own Cat Grass

If you choose to grow your own cat grass, catnip, sage, thyme, parsley or other safe "plants," be sure to use sterilized potting soil and untreated seeds. You should not use soil from your outdoor garden.

If you grow catnip, it's probably best to grow this in a room inaccessible to your cat. You can give your feline companion a generous handful of fresh or dried leaves every week or two. Catnip has a powerful (yet, safe) chemical (Nepetalactone) that most cats love. Organic catnip is the healthiest.

About two-thirds of all cats are mad about catnip; it's a genetic preference, so your cat may or may not be wild about it. After a deep whiff, your cat will dance, leap, prance, tumble and purr in ecstasy. And there is no need to worry about a catnip addiction. Catnip is completely safe. But if you give catnip to your cat too often, it may lose its appeal over time.

Topics Related to Plants Poisonous to Cats

Catnip - Effects on your kitty and how it works.

Common Cat Health Problems - Other common cat health problems you need to know about.

List of Plants Poisonous to Cats

Here's a list of plants poisonous to cats based on the ASPCA Toxic Plants list. Visit their site for more details about each of these plants. They include photos and more info about each entry.

The ASPCA also lists the plants not toxic to cats.

Personally, I gave up on indoor plants years ago. I just didn't want to take the risk!

A

Adam-and-Eve

African Evergreen

African Wonder Tree

Alligator Pear

Alocasia

Aloe

Aloe Vera

Amaryllis

Ambrosia Mexicana

American Bittersweet

American Holly

American Mandrake

American Mistletoe

American Yew

Amur

Andromeda Japonica

Angelica Tree

Angel-Wings

Anglo-Japanese Yew

Apple

Apricot

Arrow-Head Vine

Arum

Arum Lily

Asian Lily

Asiatic Lily

Asparagus

Asparagus Fern

Australian Ivy Palm

Australian Pine

Autumn Crocus

Avocado

Azalea

B

Baby Doll Ti Plant

Baby Jade

Baby's Breath

Barbados Aloe

Barbados Lily

Barbados Pride

Barbados Pride 2

Barnyard Daisy

Bead Tree

Begonias

Belladonna Lily

Bergamot

Bergamot Orange

Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise 2

Bird of Paradise Flower

Bird's Tongue Flower

Bishop's Weed

Bitter Root

Bittersweet

Black Calla

Black Laurel

Black Nightshade

Blue Bindweed

Blue Nightshade

Bobbins

Bog onion

Boxwood

Branching Ivy

Brazilwood

Bread and Butter Plant

Brown dragon

Brunfelsia

Buckeye

Buckwheat

Buddhist Pine

Buddhist rosary bead

Burning Bush

Burwort

Butter cress

Buttercup

C

Caffre Lily

Caladium

Calamondin Orange

Calico Bush

California Fern

California Ivy

Calla Lily

Candidum

Cape Belladonna

Cape Clivia

Cape Jasmine

Cardboard Palm

Cardinal Flower

Carnation Castor Bean

Castor Bean Plant

Castor Oil Plant

Ceriman

Chamomile

Chandelier Plant

Charming Dieffenbachia

Cherry

China Ball Tree

Chinaberry Tree

Chinese Evergreen

Chinese Jade

Chinese Rubber Plant

Christmas Rose

Chrysanthemums

Citrus Bergamia

Clematis

Climbing Bittersweet

Climbing Lily

Climbing Nightshade

Clivia Lily

Clivies Coffee Tree

Coleus

Common Privet

Comphor of the Poor

Coontie Palm

Cordatum

Corn Feverfew

Corn Plant

Cornstalk Plant

Country Borage

Cow parsnip

Cowbane

Crabapples

Crane Flower

Crowfoot burwort

Crown of Thorns

Cuckoo Plant

Cuckoo-pint

Cutleaf Philodendron

Cycads

Cyclamen

D

Daffodil

Dahlias

Daisy Day Lilies (many varieties)

Deadly Hemlock

Deadly Nightshade

Desert Azalea

Desert Rose

Devil's Ivy

D-cont.

Devil's Apple

Devil's Backbone

Devil's dear

Devil's Vine

Devil's Walking Stick

Dieffenbachia

Dock Dog Daisy

Dog Fennel

Dog Hobble

Dog Laurel

Dogbane Hemp

Dracaena

Dragon root

Dragon Tree

Duck's Foot

Dumbcane

Dwarf Poinciana

Dwarf Rubber Plant

E

East Indian Thyme

Easter Lily

Easter Rose

Eastern Star

Elephant Ears

Elephant Garlic

Elephant's Ears

Emerald Feather

Emerald Fern

English Holly

English Ivy

English Yew

Eucalyptus

European Bittersweet

European Holly

Everlasting Pea

Exotica

Exotica Perfection

Exposition

F

False Bittersweet

False Queen Anne's Lace

Fancy-leaved Caladium

Feather Geranium

Felonwort

Fern Palm

Fetter Bush

Fetterbush

Fiddle-Leaf

Fig Figwort

Fire Lily Flag

Flamingo Flower

Flamingo Lily

Flamingo Plant

Fleabane

Florida Beauty

Florist's Calla

Foxglove

Franciscan Rain Tree

Fruit Salad Plant

Funkia

G

Garden Calla

Garden Chamomile

Garden Hyacinth

Gardenia

Garlic

Geranium-Leaf Aralia

Geraniums

Giant Dracaena

Giant Dumb Cane

Giant Hogweed

Glacier Ivy

Gladiola

Gloriosa Lily

Glory Lily

Gold Dieffenbachia

Gold Dust Dracaena

Golden Birds Nest

Golden Pothos

Golden Ragwort

Good Luck Plant

Grapefruit

Grass Palm

Greater Ammi

Green Gold Naphthysis

Ground Apple

Groundsel

H

Hahn's Self Branching English Ivy

Hashish

Hawaiian Ti

Hawaiian Ti Plant

Heartleaf Philodendron

Heavenly Bamboo

Hellebore

Hercules' Club

Hibiscus

Hills of Snow

Hog Apple

Holly

Horse Chestnut

Horsehead Philodendron

Horseweed

Hortensia

Hosta

House Pine

Hurricane Plant

Hyacinth

Hydrangea

I

Impala Lily

Indian Apple

Indian Apple Root

Indian Bead

Indian Borage

Indian Hemp

Indian Licorice

Indian Pink

Indian Rubber Plant

Inkberry

Iris

Ivy Arum

Ivy Bush

J

Jack-in-the-pulpit

Jade Plant

Jade tree

Janet Craig Plant

Japanese Bead Tree

Japanese rubber plant

Japanese Show Lily

Japanese Yew

Jerusalem Cherry

Jerusalem Oak

Jonquil

K

Kaffir Lily

Kalanchoe

Kiss-me-quick

Klamath Weed

Klivia Kudu Lily

L

Lace Fern

Lacy Tree Philodendron

Lady-of-the-night

Lantana

Larkspur

Laurel

Leatherflower

Leek

Lemon

Lenten Rose Lily

Lily of the Palace

Lily of the Valley

Lily-of-the-Valley Bush Lime

Lobelia

Locust

Lord-and-Ladies

Love Bean

Lucky Bean

M

Madagascar Dragon Tree

Maidens Breath

Malanga

Maleberry

Manzanilla

Maratha

Marble Queen

Marijuana

Mauna Loa Peace Lily

Mayapple

Mayweed

Meadow Cabbage

Meadow Saffron

Medicine Plant

Memory root

Mexican Breadfruit

Milfoil

Militini

Milkweed

Mistletoe "American"

Mock Azalea

Mole Bean Plant

Morning Glory

Morning-Noon-and-Night

Moss Rose

Mother of Millions

Mother-in-Law

Mother-In-Law Plant

Mother-in-Law's Tongue

Mountain Ivy

Mountain laurel

Mum Mustard Tree

N

Naked Lady

Nandina

Narcissus

Natal Cherry

Nebraska Fern

Nectar of the Gods

Needlepoint Ivy

Nephthytis

Nicotiana

Nightshade

Norfolk Island Pine

Norfolk Pine

O

Octopus Tree

Oilcloth Flower

Oleander

Onion

Orange

Orange Day Lily

Oregon Holly

Ornamental Pepper

P

Pacific Yew

Painter's Palette

Palm Lily

Panda Plant

Paper White

Paradise Tree

Paraguayan Jasmine

Peace Lily

Peach

Peacock Flower

Pencil Cactus

Peony

Pepper Turnip

Perennial Pea

Periwinkle

Persian Lilac

Philodendron Pertusum

Pie Plant

Pieris

Pig Lily

Pigtail Plant

Pigweed

Pink Cloud

Pinks

Plantain Lily

Plum

Plumosa Fern

Podocarpus

Poinciana

Poinsettia

Poison Daisy

Poison Hemlock

Poison Parsley

Poison Parsnip

Poisonous Nightshade

Polecat Weed

Portulaca

Pothos

Prayer Bean

Precatory Bean

Prickly Ash

Prickly Elder

Pride of Barbados

Pride-of-India

Primrose

Privet

Purslane

Pusley

R

Raccoonberry

Racemose asparagus

Ragwort

Ranger's Button

Red Emerald

Red Lily

Red Princess

Red Sage

Red-Marginated Dracaena

Red-margined Dracaena

Rhododendron

Rhubarb

Ribbon Plant

Ridderstjerne

Rocambole

Rock Moss

Roman Chamomile

Rosary Pea

Rose of China


R-cont.

Rose of Sharon

Rosebay

Rubrum Lily

Running Myrtle

Rustic Treacle

S

Sabi Star

Sacred Bamboo

Saddle Leaf

Sago Palm

Saint Joseph lily

Satin Pothos

Scarlet Berry

Schefflera

Seagull

Seaside Daisy

Seminole Bead

Senecio Serpent Garlic

Seven Bark

Shamrock Plant

Shatavari

Showy Daisy

Shrub Verbena

Shrubby Bittersweet

Sierra Laurel

Silk Pothos

Silver Dollar

Silver Jade Plant

Skunk Cabbage

Skunk Weed

Snake Lily

Snake Plant

Soda Apple

Solomon's Lily

Sorrel

Southern Yew

Sowbread

Spanish Thyme

Spindle Tree

Split Leaf Philodendron

Spoonwood

Spotted Dracaena

Spotted Dumb Cane

Spotted Hemlock

Sprengeri Fern

Spring Parsley

St. John's Wort

Staggerberry

Staggerbush

Starch Root

Starch Wort

Stargazer Lily

Starleaf

Stinging Thyme

Stinking Chamomile

Stinking Rose

Stoplight

Straight-Margined Dracaena

Striped Dracaena

Superb Lily

Swamp Cabbage

Sweet Pea

Sweet potato

Sweet Potato Vine

Sweet William

Sweetheart Ivy

Swiss Cheese Plant

T

Tail Flower

Tansy

Taro

Taro Vine

Texas UmbrellaTree

Texas Wonder

Three-leaved Indian Turnip

Tiger Lily

Ti-Plant

Tobacco

Tomato Plant

Tree Philodendron

Tree Tobacco

Trileaf Wonder

Tropic Snow

True Aloe

True Chamomile

Trumpet Lily

Tulip

Turkey-weed

U

Umbrella Leaf

Umbrella Tree

V

Variable Dieffenbachia

Variegated Philodendron

Vinca

Violet Bloom

Virgin's Bower

W

Wahoo

Wake Robin

Warneckei Dracaena

Warneckii

Water Flag

Water Hemlock

Water Hyacinth

Wax-Leaf

Waxwork Weather Plant

Weeping Fig

Western Yew

White Arum

White Cedar

White Heads

Wild Arum

Wild Calla

Wild Carnation

Wild Coffee

Wild Lemon

Wild Portulaca

Wild Turnip

Window Leaf Plant

Winter Cherry

Winter Fern

Winterberry

Wisteria

Wood Lily

Woody Nightshade

Y

Yarrow

Yellow Oleander

Yellow Sage

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Yew

Yew Pine

Yucca

Z

Zamias

Remember, you can visit the ASPCA's site for more info on each of these plants poisonous to cats.

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