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Toxic Household Plants 

We've compiled the most toxic household plants for your cats and if you love plants as much as we do, we've got some great alternatives for your green thumb!

1. Lilies

Lilies are at the top of the list of poisonous plants for cats, which also includes Asiatic lilies, Easter lilies, Japanese show lilies, rubrum lilies, stargazer lilies, red lilies, tiger lilies, Western lilies, wood lilies, and daylilies. Commonly found growing in the garden and a popular addition to bouquets, these gorgeous blooms can be extremely dangerous if a cat ingests one. Even the smallest exposure to the plant’s leaves, flowers, or pollen could result in acute kidney failure.

2. Tulips

Tulips and hyacinths are so popular that many cat owners have them in their gardens, yet the bulbs of these flowering plants are especially toxic for cats. Also known as Tulipa spp and hyacinthus orientalis, both are members of the Liliaceae family, which include the fatal lily species. Tulips contain the toxins tulipalin A and tulipalin B, while hyacinths possibly contain narcissus-like alkaloids which are concentrated in the tulips bulbs. Signs of tulip and hyacinth poisoning include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, depression and tremors. 

3. Daffodils

A member of the Amaryllidaceae family, daffodils are perennials also known as paper white and jonquil, all of which are extremely poisonous for cats. All parts of this plant contain the toxin lycorine, but the bulbs are the most toxic and can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Cats who ingest daffodils may also experience cardiac arrhythmias, extremely low blood pressure, breathing difficulties and convulsions. Cat owners should take extreme caution in keeping their curious cat away from daffodil bulb

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4. Rhododendrons

The stem, leaves, and flowers of rhododendrons and azaleas are all highly toxic, and eating as few as three leaves may be a large enough dosage to extremely affect a cat. If your feline friend has ingested a rhododendron or azalea, it will exhibit excessive drooling, loss of appetite, digestive upset that includes colic and diarrhea, weakness, and loss of coordination. They may even experience leg paralysis and a weakened heart rate.

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5. Philodendrons

Philodendron house plants thrive indoors year round, and are mild to moderately toxic to curious cats. The philodendron family includes the swiss cheese plant, heartleaf and fiddle-leaf philodendron, each with leaves that contain calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the lining of a cat’s stomach, intestines, and cause irritation of the mouth. Signs your cat has chewed on a philodendron include a watering or bleeding mouth and vomiting. 

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If you suspect your cat ate a large or small amount of any type of plant, or they’re exhibiting symptoms of potential plant poisoning, call your veterinarian, the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661), or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435). 
Safe Plant Alternatives For Your Cat
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There are still house plants and flowers that are pet-friendly and non-toxic, that can be included in any home decor worry-free. Whether you choose to grow a luscious garden or arrange these flowers in colorful vases around your home, these plants are considered safe for your cats and kittens to be around:

  • Spider Plants

  • True Palms

  • African Violets

  • Succulents 

  • Swedish Ivy

  • Bamboo

  • Boston Fern 

  • Cast-Iron Plant

  • Bromeliads

  • Christmas Cactus 

  • Money Tree

  • Marigolds

  • Sunflowers

  • Jasmine

  • Hibiscus 

  • Petunias

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