Plants that are Toxic to Cats

Below is a list of common houseplants that can be harmful or fatal depending on the quantity swallowed. Also, remember that cats who chew plants are exposed to any chemical pesticides or fertilizers that may have been applied directly to the plants or through the soil. 

You can prevent your cat from chewing on plants by misting the leaves then sprinkling them with cayenne pepper. You might also want to consider planting a container of grass (regular grass, not the drug) for your cat.  If your cats are digging in your pots, go to your local hobby/craft store and buy a few pieces of plastic needlepoint canvas.  Trim it to the shape of the pot, cut a slit in it and then a hole in the center for the plant.  Rest it on top of the soil and your cat will be unable to dig.

Note that any plant that looks like a variation of grass is likely going to be considered food to a cat, so it's best to keep them in hanging pots well out of reach.

Symptoms of poisoning will range from seizures and foaming at the mouth to vomiting and coma.  Immediate medical attention as soon as you see the cat has eaten a toxic substance (don't wait for symptoms to appear) is necessary.  Take the cat to your local veterinarian immediately.

The ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center is a 24-hour emergency service with phones manned by licensed veterinarians and toxicologists (these are not free calls; have your credit card handy): 

You can call 24 hours a day from anywhere in the U.S. 1-888-426-4435

By the way, if you provide a small container of grass (oat grass or regular grass), your cat might leave your potted plants alone.





Alfalfa
Almond (Pits of)
Alocasia
Aloe
Amaryllis
American Bittersweet
American Yew
Andromeda Japonica
Apple (seeds)
Apple Leaf Croton
Apricot (Pits of)
Arrowgrass
Asian Lily (Liliaceae)
Asparagus Fern
Australian Nut
Autumn Crocus
Avocado (fuit and pit)
Azalea
Baby's Breath
Bamboo * (Dracaena sanderiana)
Baneberry
Bayonet
Beargrass
Beech
Belladonna
Bird of Paradise
Bittersweet
Black Locust
Black-eyed Susan
Bleeding Heart
Bloodroot
Bluebonnet
Box
Boxwood
Branching Ivy
Buckeye
Buckeyes
Buddist Pine
Burning Bush
Buttercup
Cactus, Candelabra
Caladium
Calla Lily
Castor Bean
Ceriman
Charming Dieffenbachia
Cherry (pits, seeds & wilting leaves)
Cherry, ground
Cherry, Laurel
Cherry, most wild varieties
Chinaberry
Chinaberry Tree
Chinese Evergreen
Christmas Rose
Chrysanthemum
Cineria
Clematis
Cordatum
Coriaria
Corn (or Cornstalk) Plant
Corn Plant
Cornflower
Cornstalk Plant
Corydalis
Crocus, Autumn
Croton
Crown of Thorns
Cuban Laurel
Cutleaf Philodendron
Cycads
Cyclamen
Daffodil
Daphne
Datura
Day Lily
Deadly Nightshade
Death Camas
Decentrea
Delphinium
Devil's Ivy
Dieffenbachia
Dracaena Palm
Dragon Tree
Dumb Cane
Easter Lily
Eggplant
Elaine
Elderberry
Elephant Ears
Emerald Feather
English Ivy
English Yew
Eucalyptus
Euonymus
European Bittersweet
Evergreen
Ferns
Fiddle-leaf fig
Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron
Flamingo Plant
Flax
Florida Beauty
Florida Beauty
Four O'Clock
Foxglove
Fruit Salad Plant
Geranium
German Ivy
Giant Dumb Cane
Glacier Ivy
Golden Chain
Gladiolas
Glory Lily
Gold Dieffenbachia
Gold Dust Dracaena
Golden Glow
Golden Pothos
Gopher Purge
Green Gold Nephthysis
Hahn's Self-Branching Ivy
Heartland Philodendron
Heavenly Bamboo
Hellebore
Hemlock, Poison
Hemlock, Water
Henbane
Holly
Honeysuckle
Horse Chestnuts
Horsebeans
Horsebrush
Horsehead Philodendron
Hurricane Plant
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Indian Rubber Plant
Indian Tobacco
Iris
Iris Ivy
Jack in the Pulpit
Janet Craig Dracaena
Japanese Show Lily
Japanese Yew
Java Beans
Jerusalem Cherry
Jessamine
Jimson Weed
Jonquil
Jungle Trumpets
Kalanchoe
Lace Fern
Lacy Tree
Lacy Tree Philodendron
Lantana
Larkspur
Laurel
Lily of the Valley
Lily Spider
Locoweed
Lucky Bamboo * (Dracaena sanderiana)
Lupine
Macadamia Nut
Madagascar Dragon Tree
Marble Queen
Marble Queen
Marigold
Marijuana
Mauna Loa Peace Lily
Mescal Bean
Mexican Breadfruit
Miniature Croton
Mistletoe
Mock Orange
Monkshood
Moonseed
Morning Glory
Mother-in Law's Tongue
Mountain Laurel
Mushrooms
Narcissus
Needlepoint Ivy
Nephytis
Nightshade
Oleander
Onion
Orange Day Lily
Oriental Lily
Panda
Peace Lily
Peach (pits and wilting leaves)
Pencil Cactus
Peony
Periwinkle
Philodendron
Pimpernel
Plumosa Fern
Poinciana
Poinsettia (low toxicity)
Poison Hemlock
Poison Ivy
Poison Oak
Pokeweed
Poppy
Potato
Pothos
Precatory Bean
Primrose
Privet, Common
Queensland Nut
Red Emerald
Red Lily
Red Princess
Red-Margined Dracaena
Rhododendron
Rhubarb
Ribbon Plant * (Dracaena sanderiana)
Rosemary Pea
Rubber Plant
Rubrum Lily
Saddle Leaf  Philodendron
Sago Palm
Satin Pothos
Schefflera
Scotch Broom
Silver Pothos
Skunk Cabbage
Snow on the Mountain
Snowdrops
Spotted Dumb Cane
Staggerweed
Star of Bethlehem
Stargazer Lily
String of Pearls
Striped Dracaena
Sweetheart Ivy
Sweetpea
Swiss Cheese Plant
Tansy Mustard
Taro Vine
Tiger Lily
Tobacco
Tomato Plant
Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem and leaves)
Tree Philodendron
Tropic Snow Dieffenbachia
Tulip
Tung Tree
Variable Dieffenbachia
Variegated Philodendron
Virginia Creeper
Warneckei Dracaena
Water Hemlock
Weeping Fig
Western Yew
Wild Call
Wisteria
Wood Lily
Yews
*
Note: 
Only the Dracaena sanderiana (aka Ribbon Dracaena, Lucky Bamboo, or Ribbon Plant) is toxic.  True bamboo is not toxic.



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