A Comprehensive Guide to Cat-Friendly Plants
Cats are curious creatures, and they often explore their surroundings by tasting and chewing on plants. However, not all plants are safe for cats, and some can even be toxic.
Types of Plants Safe for Cats
The following plants are generally considered safe for cats to be around:
- Bamboo
- Spider plant
- Boston fern
- Cast iron plant
- Lady palm
- Catnip
- Valerian
- Wheatgrass
- Oat grass
- Barley grass
Plants to Avoid for Cats
The following plants are toxic to cats, and should be avoided:
- Lilies
- Tulips
- Daffodils
- Irises
- Hyacinths
- Oleander
- Sago palm
- Yew
- Hemlock
- Belladonna
- Nightshade
- Jimsonweed
- Castor bean
Symptoms of Plant Toxicity in Cats
If your cat has ingested a toxic plant, they may experience the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Lethargy
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
What to Do if Your Cat Ingests a Toxic Plant
If you think your cat has ingested a toxic plant, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
Additional Tips
- Keep toxic plants out of reach of your cat.
- Supervise your cat when they are around plants.
- Provide your cat with safe alternatives to chew on, such as catnip or valerian.
- If you are unsure whether a plant is safe for your cat, consult with your veterinarian.
Table of Safe Plants for Cats
| Plant |
Common Name |
Scientific Name |
| Bamboo |
Lucky bamboo, golden bamboo |
Bambusa spp. |
| Spider plant |
Airplane plant, ribbon plant |
Chlorophytum comosum |
| Boston fern |
Sword fern |
Nephrolepis exaltata |
| Cast iron plant |
Aspidistra |
Aspidistra elatior |
| Lady palm |
Rhapis palm |
Rhapis excelsa |
| Catnip |
Catmint |
Nepeta cataria |
| Valerian |
Valerian root |
Valeriana officinalis |
| Wheatgrass |
Wheat |
Triticum aestivum |
| Oat grass |
Avena |
Avena sativa |
| Barley grass |
Hordeum |
Hordeum vulgare |
Table of Plants Toxic to Cats
| Plant |
Common Name |
Scientific Name |
| Lilies |
Easter lily, tiger lily, stargazer lily |
Lilium spp. |
| Tulips |
Tulipa spp. |
|
| Daffodils |
Narcissus spp. |
|
| Irises |
Iris spp. |
|
| Hyacinths |
Hyacinthus spp. |
|
| Oleander |
Rosebay, common oleander |
Nerium oleander |
| Sago palm |
Cycad |
Cycas revoluta |
| Yew |
English yew, Japanese yew |
Taxus spp. |
| Hemlock |
Water hemlock, poison hemlock |
Conium maculatum |
| Belladonna |
Deadly nightshade |
Atropa belladonna |
| Nightshade |
Black nightshade, deadly nightshade |
Solanum nigrum |
| Jimsonweed |
Thorn apple, devil's snare |
Datura stramonium |
| Castor bean |
Castor oil plant |
Ricinus communis |
Table of Symptoms of Plant Toxicity in Cats
| Symptom |
Possible Causes |
| Vomiting |
Ingestion of toxic plants, gastrointestinal upset |
| Diarrhea |
Ingestion of toxic plants, gastrointestinal upset |
| Drooling |
Salivation from nausea, pain, or irritation |
| Lethargy |
Weakness, fatigue, or disinterest |
| Difficulty breathing |
Swelling or irritation of airways |
| Seizures |
Neurological damage or toxicity |
Stories and Lessons Learned
Story 1:
One day, a cat named Mittens was playing in the backyard when she came across a beautiful lily plant. Mittens was curious, so she took a few bites out of the leaves. Unfortunately, lilies are toxic to cats, and Mittens soon became very sick. She started vomiting and having diarrhea, and she was very lethargic. Mittens' owner took her to the veterinarian, who diagnosed her with lily poisoning. Mittens was given activated charcoal to absorb the toxins from her body, and she was given fluids to help her stay hydrated. Mittens spent several days in the hospital, but eventually she recovered.
Lesson Learned: Keep toxic plants out of reach of your cat.
Story 2:
Another cat named Whiskers was playing in the house when he found a sago palm plant. Whiskers liked to chew on plants, so he took a few bites out of the sago palm leaves. Unfortunately, sago palms are also toxic to cats, and Whiskers soon became very sick. He started vomiting and having diarrhea, and he was very lethargic. Whiskers' owner took him to the veterinarian, who diagnosed him with sago palm poisoning. Whiskers was given activated charcoal to absorb the toxins from his body, and he was given fluids to help him stay hydrated. Whiskers spent several days in the hospital, but eventually he recovered.
Lesson Learned: Supervise your cat when they are around plants.
Story 3:
A cat named Lucky was playing in the backyard when she came across a spider plant. Lucky liked to chew on plants, so she took a few bites out of the spider plant leaves. Fortunately, spider plants are safe for cats to eat, and Lucky did not get sick.
Lesson Learned: Provide your cat with safe alternatives to chew on, such as catnip or valerian.
Tips and Tricks
- If you are unsure whether a plant is safe for your cat, consult with your veterinarian.
- Keep all plants out of reach of your cat, especially if you have a curious cat.
- Supervise your cat when they are around plants.
- Provide your cat with safe alternatives to chew on, such as catnip or valerian.
- If you think your cat has ingested a toxic plant, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming that all plants are safe for cats.
- Not supervising your cat when they are around plants.
- Not providing your cat with safe alternatives to chew on.
- Waiting to call your veterinarian if you think your cat has ingested a toxic plant.
How to Keep Your Cat Safe from Plants
-
Keep toxic plants out of reach of your cat. This means placing them on high shelves or in closed cabinets.
-
Supervise your cat when they are around plants. This will help you to prevent them from chewing on or ingesting any plants that could be harmful.
-
Provide your cat with safe alternatives to chew on. This will give them something to satisfy their chewing needs without putting them at risk.
-
If you think your cat has ingested a toxic plant, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
