Beware of Common Houseplants: Hidden Dangers for Your Cat
A Scottish Fold kitten sitting next to common houseplants
Bringing the outdoors inside is a great way to brighten up your home, but some of the most common houseplants can pose a serious health risk to your cat. Many popular plants are toxic to our feline friends, causing everything from mild irritation to severe organ failure. In this article, we'll highlight the most common indoor plants that are dangerous to cats and offer safer alternatives.
Top Toxic Houseplants for Cats
🌸 Lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species)
Lilies are the most dangerous plant for cats, especially Easter, day, and tiger lilies. Ingesting any part of the plant, including pollen or water from a vase, can cause severe kidney failure and even death.
🌵 Aloe Vera
Aloe may be great for human skin, but it's toxic to cats. Ingesting it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
🌴 Sago Palm
Every part of the sago palm is highly toxic, especially the seeds. Even a small bite can lead to liver failure in cats, along with vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.
🌿 Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
Popular for its large leaves, this plant causes intense oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
🍃 Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)
A low-maintenance plant that's often found in homes, but it’s dangerous to cats. Ingesting pothos can cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting.
🌱 Philodendron
Another common houseplant, philodendrons cause irritation of the mouth, swelling, and vomiting when ingested by cats.
🌿 Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
While considered mildly toxic, snake plants can still cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats if consumed.
🌸 Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Not a true lily, but peace lilies are still dangerous. They cause irritation to the mouth, excessive drooling, and difficulty swallowing.
🌿 English Ivy
If ingested, English ivy can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and excessive salivation.
🌵 Jade Plant (Crassula)
A popular succulent, but highly toxic to cats, causing vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination.
🍃 Caladium
Known for its vibrant colors, caladium causes painful burning and swelling in the mouth, difficulty breathing, and gastrointestinal issues in cats.
🌺 Oleander
Oleander is extremely toxic, even in small quantities. It can cause heart problems, tremors, vomiting, and death.
🍃 Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
This hardy indoor plant can cause vomiting, drooling, and mouth irritation if your cat takes a bite.
🌿 ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
All parts of this plant are toxic to cats, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues.
How to Keep Your Cat Safe:
To protect your cat, consider removing these toxic plants from your home. If you're looking for cat-friendly options, try these safe alternatives instead:
🌹 Roses
🏵️ Orchids
🌻 Sunflowers
🌱 Spider Plants
🌿 Bamboo
These plants are beautiful and safe for your feline friend to be around.
What to Do if Your Cat Ingests a Toxic Plant
If you suspect your cat has eaten part of a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic immediately. Acting quickly can make all the difference. You can also reach out to the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center for guidance.