by Team WellJoy
“My friend loves to buy me flowers but sometimes they have lilies in them – and I know those are toxic for my cat, Reginald. He’s an adventurous climber, which means no shelf or table is high enough to keep them out of reach. Usually I donate them to my neighbor, and leave Reginald to enjoy his cat grass instead.”
Cats are curious, playful, and sometimes (even the most dedicated Pet Loyalist can admit this) a bit too nosy for their own good.
They don’t necessarily know that the beautiful fresh flowers your friend bought you, or the new houseplant in the front room, is off-limits to them. And if you’ve got a cat that’s prone to nibbling, that plant life can be perilous.
That’s because cats metabolize plant compounds very differently to people or dogs. They lack the liver enzymes required to break down certain chemicals, which can then cause diarrhea, irritation, vomiting and discomfort.
There’s a misconception that cats need to eat a lot of a harmful plant for it to affect them, but in actual fact they only need a tiny exposure. A lick of some pollen or even brushing against sap and then grooming are enough to cause serious aftereffects.
That doesn’t mean you can’t have flowers and plants in your home and garden, but it does require knowing which ones are cat-friendly...
Indoor plants to avoid
True lilies are an absolute no-no for your house if you have cats. They’re extremely dangerous, and even small amounts can cause severe kidney injury.
It’s very easy for a cat to brush up against a lily and lick pollen off their fur while grooming, or even to drink water from the vase – so be vigilant. If you have well-meaning friends or relatives that like to buy you bouquets, make sure you check them as lilies are very popular in flower arrangements.
Other everyday houseplants to avoid include: peace lilies, philodendrons, pothos (also known as Devil’s Ivy), monstera and dieffenbachia (aka dumb cane). They all contain calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and digestive tract, leading to drooling, gagging, vomiting or reluctance to eat. While these plants aren’t life-threatening for your pet, they’re unpleasant for them and worrying for any Cat Loyalist.
For a reliable guide, we recommend the ASPCA’s extensive online encyclopedia, which goes in-depth on which plants are toxic (and non-toxic!) and also has a poison hotline in case of emergency.
Creating a cat-friendly indoor garden
Having a cat doesn’t mean you have to ban plants from your life completely. It just requires a little bit of extra thought and organization.
To start with, position your plants up high on shelves or wall-mounted planters, if you have ambitious cats that like to chew. This lets your cat enjoy the sights and scents without being tempted to make them a meal.
It probably goes without saying but make sure these aren’t taking over any of your cat’s favorite climbing or perching spots.
If you have a cat that likes to chew on greenery (most cats do this out of a mix of curiosity, boredom, stress or an urge for sensory input) you can install some extra diversions. That might be a window perch or a scratching post, or you might want to add some more playtime into their routine.
For the real plant-loving felines, cat grass – a mix of wheat, oat or barley grass – catnip and silvervine can satisfy those nibbly urges.
Creating a cat-friendly outdoor garden
Cat Loyalists lucky enough to have a whole outdoor space can also make pet-friendly adjustments.
If you’re working with a closed balcony, a ‘catio’ or a fenced garden area, avoid: azaleas, rhododendrons (these can cause vomiting, weakness and heart rhythm changes if chewed), foxglove, oleander and sago palm.
If you have a free-roaming cat and you’re worried about them venturing into other people’s gardens, you can ease your mind by ensuring time outside is always supervised, or in a contained space.
What to do if your cat encounters a dangerous plant
Bear in mind that most encounters cause mild irritation rather than serious poisoning – which manifests itself in diarrhea, vomiting, irritation (watch for drooling or pawing at the mouth) or an unwillingness to eat.
If you know for definite that your pet has been exposed to a high risk plant, and if their behavior or coordination is affected and other symptoms are continuing or worsening, it’s time to contact your vet. If you can, let them know which plant you suspect and take a photo (the ASPCA online guide can help with this).
And remember, calling them for advice isn’t overreacting, it’s being cautious and caring for your pet.
We’re proud to say that all of WellJoy’s content is fact-checked and verified by a Pet Loyalist team, including a veterinarian trained in companion animal nutrition and a PhD board-certified companion animal nutritionist.