A monstera in the corner of the living room, lilies in a vase on the table, aloe on the windowsill. Ordinary decor for us, but a possible danger for a cat or dog. Many popular houseplants and cut flowers are toxic to pets. Find out which ones to avoid, which are safe and what to do if your pet takes a bite.
Lilies: the biggest danger for cats
If you have a cat at home, lilies don't belong in your flat. Every part of the plant is toxic to cats: the flower, leaves, stem, the pollen and the vase water. It's enough for a cat to lick pollen off its fur, and it can lead to acute kidney failure. This applies to true lilies (genus Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis).
In dogs, lilies usually cause “only” digestive problems, but for cats it is a matter of life and death. If your cat has come into contact with a lily, go to the vet straight away, even if it seems fine for now. Treatment has the best chance in the first few hours.
Toxic houseplants you'll find in almost every home
Most of them won't kill your pet, but they can make it quite miserable. The most common are plants containing calcium oxalate crystals. After a bite they burn the mouth, the animal drools, paws at its mouth and may vomit.
Burn the mouth and irritate mucous membranes
- Monstera and philodendron
- Climbing plant (pothos)
- Dieffenbachia
- ZZ plant (zamioculcas)
- Peace lily (spathiphyllum)
- Anthurium, alocasia, aglaonema and schefflera
Cause vomiting and diarrhoea
- Aloe vera – a healing plant for people, but vomiting and lethargy for animals
- Ficus (weeping fig, rubber plant) – the milky sap irritates the mouth and skin
- Snake plant and dracaena
- Jade plant (money plant)
- Ivy
Seasonal flowers to watch out for
- Cyclamen and kalanchoe – most of the toxin is in the tubers; in rare cases kalanchoe can affect the heart
- Azaleas – among the more serious ones, they threaten the heart and circulation
- Amaryllis, daffodils, tulips and hyacinths – the bulb is the most toxic part, so watch out especially for dogs that love to dig and chew
- Poinsettia – it has a worse reputation than it deserves; it usually causes only irritation and vomiting
Safe houseplants for cats and dogs
If you want greenery at home without worry, choose plants that are non-toxic to both cats and dogs:
- Spider plant – cats love it and nibble on it
- Calathea and maranta
- Moth orchid (phalaenopsis)
- Pilea and peperomia
- Parlour palm and areca palm, ponytail palm
- Boston fern, fittonia, African violet and bromeliads
Non-toxic doesn't mean edible, though. Even a safe plant can make an animal vomit if it eats a larger piece. You can give cats their own cat grass, and they will often leave other plants alone.
What about cut flowers in a vase?
Besides lilies, watch out for chrysanthemums, daffodils, tulips and peonies. It also pays to be careful with eucalyptus and gypsophila, which are often added to bouquets as fillers.
These cut flowers are safe for both cats and dogs:
- Roses
- Gerberas and sunflowers
- Freesias and snapdragons
- Alstroemeria – although it's called the Peruvian lily, it has nothing to do with true lilies
- Orchids
Place the bouquet where your pet can't reach it and change the vase water regularly. Cats like to drink it. And if your bouquet comes with pralines, put them away: chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats.
What to do if your pet nibbles a plant
- Remove any plant pieces from its mouth and move the animal away from the plant.
- Find out which plant it is. Take a photo of it or keep the plant label.
- Call your vet and follow their instructions. Don't try to make your pet vomit yourself.
- Watch for symptoms: drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, loss of appetite and, in cats, frequent urination or none at all.
Tip: Putting toxic plants on top of a cupboard isn't enough. Cats can climb almost anywhere. If you don't want to give up a plant, keep it in a room your pet doesn't go into.
This article is based on the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) database of toxic and non-toxic plants. It is meant as a basic guide and is no substitute for advice from a vet.
