Be advised that the consumption of any plant material may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset for dogs and cats. Plants listed as either non-toxic, or potentially toxic with mild GI upset as their symptoms are not expected to be life-threatening to your pets.

If you believe that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, or if you have any further questions regarding the information contained in this database, contact either your local Veterinarian (231) 723-9000 or the ASPCA Poison Control's 24-hour emergency poison hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Lily

Toxic components: Insoluble calcium oxalates

This indoor plant may be beautiful, but it’s highly toxic—even life-threatening—to cats, Lab work, including blood and urine, will be checked at various time points over a span of several days [if your cat consumes lilies].

Eucalyptus

Toxic component: Eucalyptol

Popular for its fragrant, mind-soothing leaves, the pale green eucalyptus plant should be kept out of reach of cats. When a cat consumes enough eucalyptus leaves to get sick, we expect to see signs like drooling, vomiting, decreased appetite and diarrhea.

Elephant’s ear

Toxic components: Insoluble calcium oxalates

It’s leafy and exotic-looking, so it’s no wonder the alocasia is such a popular houseplant. Unfortunately, it’s a no-go if you have a cat because it contains insoluble calcium oxalates that cause kidney failure, notes the ASPCA.

Garlic

Toxic components: Disulfides

Almost every home has garlic in it at one point or another. We’re not saying you have to completely forego this savory addition to food, but it’s important to keep it away from your cats. This houseplant that’s poisonous to cats. The chemicals that give [garlic] its pungent odor can damage a cat’s red blood cells.

In addition to keeping garlic in a sealed container, be mindful of sharing food with your cat if it’s been prepared with garlic. 

Onion

Toxic components: Disulfides

The same components responsible for garlic’s pungent odor are also found in onions. If a cat eats only a small amount one time, the damage to the cat’s red blood cells will be too small to cause any noticeable effect. If a cat eats a really large amount all at once—or consumes a more moderate amount frequently over a long period of time—the amount of damage can increase to the point where the cat becomes anemic. That’s when you’ll start to see symptoms.

Aloe vera

Toxic components: Saponins, anthraquinones

Though aloe vera is often a household staple—especially in the kitchen, where its healing powers can be employed at the ready—this plant is toxic to cats. The gel itself is actually considered edible when extracted, but the thick plant material that surrounds the gel can cause gastro upset (including vomiting), lethargy and diarrhea, says the ASPCA.

Devil’s Ivy

Toxic components: Insoluble calcium oxalates

This plant goes by a few different names, including pothos, golden pothos and taro vine. It contains insoluble calcium oxalates that cause mouth, throat, tongue and lip irritation, [as well as] intense burning, excessive drooling (hypersalivation), vomiting and difficulty swallowing.

Hydrangea

Toxic component: Cyanogenic glycoside

Hydrangea blossoms are known for their lush, colorful beauty, but they can cause your cat to become ill if consumed. When a cat eats enough hydrangea to get sick, expect symptoms to start within a couple of hours of eating the plant, Most cats will become nauseated, drool a lot and start to vomit. Diarrhea usually follows, and that diarrhea may be very bloody.

Snake plant

Toxic components: Saponins

The snake plant is a wildly popular hard-to-kill houseplant anyone can grow. However, snake plants contain chemical compounds called saponins, which result in feline nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if consumed or chewed on. If you suspect your cat has chewed on or eaten a snake plant, call your veterinarian or a hotline immediately. You’ll be given instructions based on the severity of the symptoms.

Wisteria

Toxic components: Lectin, wisterin glycoside

The winding wisteria plant is renowned for its beauty and fragrance, but cat owners should skip this pretty plant with purple flowers. When it’s consumed, the effects aren’t quite as severe compared with other plants, but cats can still experience gastro upset that can lead to vomiting and diarrhea (sometimes bloody), and even depression.

Amaryllis (LILY)

Toxic component: Lycorine

These gorgeous flowers don’t just attract people. Cats may also be drawn to the giant, vibrant flowers that are often found in floral arrangements or planted as bulbs. But when they nibble on this type of lily, they can experience stomach pain, excess drooling, tremors, diarrhea, vomiting and a decrease in appetite, according to the ASPCA.

Chrysanthemum (MUM)

Toxic components: Sesquiterpene, lactones, pyrethrins and other potential irritants

Often simply abbreviated to mums, this is another colorful flowering plant that’s off-limits to cats because of its toxicity. Consumption can result in vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, incoordination and dermatitis (a skin reaction). Immediate veterinary treatment is needed. Treatment will include controlling clinical signs with anti-emetics and anti-diarrhea medication, bathing if the skin is affected and possibly intravenous supportive fluid therapy.

Tomato Plant

Toxic component: Solanine

As part of the nightshade family, tomato plants contain a substance called solanine that is toxic to pets—and even has some question if tomatoes are poisonous. The green vine and non-ripened fruits are poisonous and, when consumed, can cause drooling, loss of appetite, severe gastro upset, slowed heart rate, and dilated pupils, notes the ASPCA.

Azalea

Toxic component: Grayantoxin

Azaleas are typically grown as ornamental outdoor foliage, but they’re also found in floral arrangements or sometimes kept as indoor potted plants. If your cat eats any part of the plant, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and potentially cardiac failure.

Tulip

Toxic component: Tulipalin A and B

A springtime favorite, tulips are among the most notable poisonous plants to cats. The bulb has the highest concentration of toxins, but the entire plant itself is actually poisonous. Reactions include vomiting, depression, diarrhea and hypersalivation. Consult your vet right away to control clinical signs and prevent dehydration.

Daffodils

Toxic component: Lycorine and other alkaloids

Daffodils are another beautiful spring flower known for their buttery color and unique shape. Unfortunately, they’re also toxic to cats. Both the flower petals and bulbs are poisonous if consumed, and even the water from the vase is toxic.

Symptoms range from mild to severe, with gastrointestinal upset the most common symptom. This can lead to salivation, vomiting and diarrhea. If your pet consumes a large amount of daffodils, symptoms can become more severe and include convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors and irregular heart rhythms.

If your cat eats daffodils, remove access to the plant right away and contact your veterinarian. Calling ASPCA pet poison control or the Pet Poison Helpline right away is also a smart move.

Hyacinth

Toxic component: Alkaloids, including lactones

While the entire hyacinth plant is toxic to cats, the bulbs contain the highest concentrations of alkaloids.

Toxicity due to ingesting hyacinths is moderate to severe. If bulbs are chewed on or consumed, your cat can develop oral and esophageal irritations causing drooling and nausea. Consumption of hyacinths can also cause intense vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes with blood. Severe toxicity can cause depression, tremors, increased heart rate and respiratory rate, and difficulty breathing.

If your cat consumes hyacinth, contact your veterinarian and/or the ASPCA hotline promptly.