Several common flowers are toxic to cats and can cause a range of symptoms from mild irritation to severe organ damage. The most well-known toxic flowers to cats include:
- Lilies (such as Asiatic, Day, Easter, Japanese Show, and Tiger lilies) are extremely toxic and can cause fatal kidney damage. Even pollen or water from a vase containing lilies can be dangerous.
- Tulips contain tulipalin A, particularly toxic in the bulbs, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.
- Daffodils contain lycorine and other toxins, causing vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmias, and respiratory issues.
- Amaryllis plants contain alkaloids that can cause vomiting, tremors, and seizures.
- Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite.
- Cyclamen plants have saponins that cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and in large amounts, heart failure.
- Gladioli and irises contain glycosides that provoke vomiting and diarrhea.
- Peonies contain paeonol that leads to vomiting and possible depression.
- Azaleas and rhododendrons contain neurotoxins that can cause vomiting, tremors, seizures, and even death.
- Other flowers like hyacinths, kalanchoe, and widow’s thrill are also toxic to cats.
If a cat ingests any of these plants, symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, seizures, or breathing difficulties may occur, requiring urgent veterinary attention to prevent severe harm or fatality.
