175 Plants Toxic for Cats – Full List (Avoid Them at Home)

Have you ever caught your cat chomping on your plants? It may look cute but there is a possibility that your kitty may experience poisoning from eating or touching plants. The real dilemma comes from knowing which plants are toxic for cats.

More than 100 plants are known to be toxic to cats. The most common are: onions, aloe, jade, pothos, borage, lavender, oregano, foxglove, irises, and yucca. However, toxic plants do not necessarily cause severe illness or death for cats unless consumed in large amounts. Nevertheless, this is a very unlikely case.

The majority of toxic plants cause only mild and moderate side effects, like contact dermatitis and stomach upset. However, some plants can be dangerous for cats.

Below is a table containing the full list of very toxic plants for cats.

Plant Categories	Highly Toxic Plants for Cats
Houseplants	Aloe Vera American Evergreen Asparagus Fern Australian Ivy Palms Caladiums Cardboard Palms Chinese Evergreens Desert Roses Dracaenas Dumbcanes Elephant Ears English Ivy Eucalyptus Geranium Aralia Golden Pothos Jade Plants Kalanchoes Ornamental Pencil Cactus Philodendrons Piedmont Roseling Ragworts Sago Palms Satin Pothos Split-Leaf Philodendron String of Pearls Tahitian Bridal Veil Taro Ti Plant Wandering Jews Wood Sorrels ZZ Plant
Herbs	Borage Buckwheat Caraway Catnip Chives Common Chamomile Epazote Feverfew Indian Borage Jerusalem Oak Lavender Lemon Grass Lemon Verbena Lovage Marjoram Meadow Saffrons Mints Mugworts Nasturtium Oregano Parsley Poison Hemlock Spring Parsley St. John’s Wort Wild Tarragon
Flowering Plants	Aconites Amaryllis Arums Azaleas Balloon Plant Baneberries Begonias Bird of Paradise Flower Bishop’s Weed Black Hellebore Bleeding Hearts Buttercups Calla Lilies Cardinal Flower Carnations and Pinks Carolina Horse Nettle Castor Bean Cherry Blossoms Chrysanthemums Clematis Clivia Lilies Common Poppy Cow Parsnip Crown of Thorns Daffodils Dahlia Daphnes Daylilies Death Camas Delphiniums Dogbanes Eclipta Flamingo Flower Fleabane Foxglove Geraniums Gloriosa Lily Hippeastrums Hosta Hyacinths Hydrangeas Irises Jack in the Pulpit Laurels Lilies Lily of the Valley Madagascar Periwinkle Marijuana Mayapple Milkweeds Morning Glories Ornamental Onions Peace Lily Peonies Poinsettia Primroses Rain Lily Ranger’s Buttons Skunk Cabbage Small’s Ragwort Sowbreads Sweet Pea Sword Lilies Tulips Water Hemlock Yarrow
Fruiting Plants	Apple Apricot Calamondin Cherries Figs Grapefruit Hardy Orange Key Lime Lemon Nectarine/Peach Plums Seville Orange Sweet Orange
Vegetable-Bearing Plants	Eggplants Garlic Leek Onions Potatoes Purslane Rhubarb Sorrels Tomatoes
Vines, Shrubs, and Trees	American Bittersweet American Mistletoe Angelica Tree Barbados Pride Boxwoods Brunfelsias Buckeyes Buddhist Pine Burning Bushes Cape Jasmine Cherry Trees Chinaberry Doghobbles Florida Hobble Bush Heavenly Bamboo Hollies Japanese Pieris Lantanas Locusts Maleberries Nightshades Oleander Rosary Pea Sweet Bay Tree Tobacco Wax-Leaf Privets Wisterias Yellow Oleander Yews Yuccas

If a cat ingests or comes into contact with one of the plants above, immediately consult a veterinarian.

There’s another issue with identifying toxic from non-toxic plants. Many different plants look the same and have similar common names. Go through all the 175 toxic plants listed here to ensure your feline friend’s safety!

(Do note that we excluded mushrooms and other fungi from this list.)

Can You Easily Tell Toxic Plants for Cats From Non-Toxic Ones?

Unfortunately, it can be challenging to tell apart plants that are non-toxic from those that are toxic to cats. Again, the problem with identifying toxic plants is typically due to similar appearances and names of various plants.

But don’t worry! After finishing this article, you will be familiar with all the toxic plants for cats that have been recognized by experts.

In the succeeding sections, you will learn about the following plants that are toxic to cats:

• 32 houseplants
• 25 herbs
• 66 flowering plants
• 13 fruiting plants
• 9 vegetable-bearing plants
• 30 vines, shrubs, and trees

Keep in mind that even non-toxic plants can pose a risk to cats. For example, thorny plants could wound them. Ingestion of non-toxic plants could also induce gastrointestinal issues (e.g., indigestion) and result in choking for cats.

32 Houseplants Toxic to Cats

Unfortunately, many of our favorite houseplants are actually dangerous for our furry feline friends. Though most of the toxic houseplants listed below, such as Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus), are only mildly and/or moderately toxic, a few can lead to fatal consequences.

More specifically, most of these toxic houseplants normally only cause mild and brief cases of skin irritation or induce vomiting.

One of the most dangerous houseplants for cats is the Elephant Ear (Alocasia spp.). It can trigger severe skin irritation after contact. Deaths have also been documented for cats that have consumed large amounts of it.

Here is the full list of toxic houseplants, their botanical names, and their corresponding toxicities:

1. Aloe Vera (Aloe vera)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Anthraquinone glycoside
   • Parts: Leaves
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, stomach cramps, diarrhea, red urine
2. American Evergreen (Syngonium podophyllum)
   • Toxicity: Moderate
   • Chemical: Calcium oxalate crystals
   • Parts: Seeds, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, roots
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting
3. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Saponins
   • Parts: Fruit, sap
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea
4. Australian Ivy Palms (Schefflera spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild to severe
   • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates, saponins, terpenoids
   • Parts: Leaves
   • Effects: Oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting, intestinal issues, seizures, coma, death
5. Caladiums (Caladium spp.)
   • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
   • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, death
6. Cardboard Palms (Zamia spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild to severe
   • Chemical: B-methylamino-l-alanine, cycasin, neurotoxin
   • Parts: Seeds
   • Effects: Thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, liver failure, death
7. Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild to moderate
   • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, foaming, vomiting
8. Desert Roses (Adenium spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild to severe
   • Chemical: Cardiac glycosides
   • Parts: Sap, leaves
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, arrhythmia, death
9. Dracaenas (Dracaena spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Saponins
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
   • Effects: Dilated pupils, drooling, vomiting, depression, anorexia
10. Dumbcanes (Dieffenbachia spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
    • Chemical: Asparagine, insoluble oxalates, oxalic acid, proteolytic enzyme
    • Parts: Stems, leaves, sap, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, eye issues, oral irritation, difficulty breathing, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting
11. Elephant Ears (Alocasia spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates, proteins
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, eye issues, nausea, oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, death
12. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Polyacetylene compounds, triterpenoid saponins
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, stupor, convulsions
13. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Cyanogenic glycoside, eucalyptol, eucalyptus oil
    • Parts: Leaves, sap, bark
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, weakness, depression, coma
14. Geranium Aralia (Polyscias guilfoylei)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Saponin
    • Parts: Seeds, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, depression, anorexia
15. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea
16. Jade Plants (Crassula spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Unknown
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Vomiting, depression, anorexia, tremors, weakness incoordination, drunkenness, slow heartbeat
17. Kalanchoes (Kalanchoe spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Bufodienolides
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, arrhythmia
18. Ornamental Figs (Ficus spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Ficin, ficusin
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, intestinal issues
19. Pencil Cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Diterpene esters
    • Parts: Stems, leaves, sap, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, stomach upset, vomiting, nausea
20. Philodendrons (Philodendron spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea
21. Piedmont Roseling (Callisia rosea)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Unknown
    • Parts: Fruit
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation
22. Ragworts (Senecio spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, depression, liver problems
23. Sago Palms (Cycas spp.)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Cycasin
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, bruising, nosebleeds, bloody stool, liver failure, weakness, seizures, death
24. Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus)
    • Toxicity: Mild to moderate
    • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea
25. Split-Leaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates, unknown toxins
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea
26. String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus)
    • Toxicity: Mild to moderate
    • Chemical: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves, sap, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, depression, diarrhea, liver problems
27. Tahitian Bridal Veil (Gibasis pellucida)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Unknown
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, intestinal issues
28. Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
    • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
    • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting
29. Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Saponins
    • Parts: Fruits, sap, roots
    • Effects: Dilated pupils, drooling, vomiting, depression, anorexia
30. Wandering Jews (Tradescantia spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to moderate
    • Chemical: Unknown
    • Parts: Leaves, sap
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, stomach pain
31. Wood Sorrels (Oxalis spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Calcium oxylates
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Tremors, cramps, incoordination
32. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Calcium Oxalate
    • Parts: Leaves
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea

25 Herbs Toxic to Cats

Herb gardens are undeniably both appealing and practical. Whether you have a large outdoor plot for it or a mini kitchen garden, your cats are likely going to take interest in them. But be warned, even common culinary and medicinal herbs can be poisonous to cats.

For the most part, herbs are only mildly toxic to cats. Interestingly, Catnip (Carum carvi) also falls under this category, acting as either a sedative or stimulant.

Want to grow it at home? Check our our care guide for catnip!

One of the most poisonous herbs for cats is Meadow Saffron (Colchicum spp.). If ingested, it can cause respiratory failure and severe organ damage in cats.

Here is the full list of toxic herbs, their botanical names, and their corresponding toxicities:

1. Borage (Borago officinalis)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Mucilage, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, tannins
   • Parts: Seeds, flowers, leaves
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea
2. Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Fagopyrin
   • Parts: Fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis
3. Caraway (Carum carvi)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Carvone, limonene
   • Parts: Leaves
   • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea
4. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Nepetalactone
   • Parts: Leaves
   • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, overstimulation
5. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: N-propyl disulfide
   • Parts: Leaves
   • Effects: Vomiting, panting, rapid heartbeat, weakness, anemia, bloody urine
6. Common Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Anthemic acid, bisabolol, chamazulene, tannic acid
   • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves, roots
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, bleeding
7. Epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides)
   • Toxicity: Severe
   • Chemical: Limonene, p-cymene, terpene peroxide ascaridole
   • Parts: Seeds
   • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, nausea, incoordination, arrhythmia, convulsions, coma
8. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Parthenin
   • Parts: Seeds, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis
9. Indian Borage (Plectranthus amboinicus)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Essential oils
   • Parts: Stems, leaves, roots
   • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression
10. Jerusalem Oak (Dysphania botrys)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Sesquiterpene lactones
    • Parts: Leaves
    • Effects: Vomiting, anorexia, depression
11. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Linalyl acetate, linlool
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Vomiting, anorexia, nausea
12. Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Essential oils, cyanogenic glycosides
    • Parts: Leaves
    • Effects: Stomach upset
13. Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citriodora)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Essential oils
    • Parts: Leaves
    • Effects: Stomach upset
14. Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Phthalide lactones
    • Parts: Stems, leaves
    • Effects: Urination, depression
15. Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Gastrointestinal irritants
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea
16. Meadow Saffrons (Colchicum spp.)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Alkaloid colchicine
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, stomach pains, diarrhea, high blood pressure, shock, seizures, organ damage, respiratory failure, death
17. Mints (Mentha spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Essential oils
    • Parts: Seeds, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea
18. Mugworts (Artemisia spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Thujone
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, brain damage
19. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Gastrointestinal irritants
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea
20. Oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Essential oils, gastrointestinal irritants
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea
21. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Furanocoumarins
    • Parts: Stems, leaves
    • Effects: Photosensitization
22. Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Alkaloids, coniine
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Pupil dilation, salivation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, agitation, weakness, paralysis, death
23. Spring Parsley (Cymopterus watsonii)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Furanocoumarins
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Photosensitization
24. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Hypericin
    • Parts: Fruits, flowers
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, photosensitization, skin ulcers
25. Wild Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Estragole, furanocoumarin, methyl eugenol, and thujone
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
    • Effects: Dilated pupils, contact dermatitis, salivation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, stimulation, incoordination, coma

66 Flowering Plants Toxic to Cats

Flowering plants are definitely a mainstay in indoor and outdoor gardens because of their gorgeous and vibrant blooms. However, not all beautiful things are safe for our cute furballs.

On average, toxic flowering plants are moderately poisonous for cats. For example, your cat could simply get diarrhea after eating Clivia Lilies (Clivia spp.).

Lillies (Lilium spp.) are among the most poisonous flowering plants for cats. The ingestion of it could lead to serious kidney problems which will likely result in a cat’s death.

Here is the full list of toxic flowering plants, their botanical names, and their corresponding toxicities:

1. Aconites (Aconitum spp.)
   • Toxicity: Severe
   • Chemical: Aconitine, alkaloids
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
   • Effects: Oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, spasms, respiratory failure, convulsions, death
2. Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild to severe
   • Chemical: Alkaloids, lycorine
   • Parts: Seeds, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
   • Effects: Salivation, vomiting, stomach pains, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, tremors
3. Arums (Arum spp.)
   • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
   • Chemical: Calcium oxalates
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, difficulty in breathing, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, nausea, death
4. Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.)
   • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
   • Chemical: Andromedotoxin, grayantoxin
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
   • Effects: Teary eyes, runny nose, difficulty in breathing, salivation, vomiting, stomach pains, diarrhea, depression, nausea, weakness, paralysis, heart failure, coma
5. Balloon Plant (Gomphocarpus physocarpa)
   • Toxicity: Mild to severe
   • Chemical: Latex
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
   • Effects: Dilated pupils, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, weakness, seizures, organ failure, respiratory issues, death
6. Baneberries (Actaea spp.)
   • Toxicity: Severe
   • Chemical: Essential oil, glycoside, protoanemonin
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
   • Effects: Oral irritation, salivation, stomach pains, diarrhea, headaches, death
7. Begonias (Begonia spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Calcium oxalates
   • Parts: Roots
   • Effects: Salivation, vomiting
8. Bird of Paradise Flower (Strelitzia reginae)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Gastrointestinal irritants
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits
   • Effects: Vomiting, nausea, sleepiness
9. Bishop’s Weed (Ammi majus)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates
   • Parts: Leaves
   • Effects: Photosensitization
10. Black Hellebore (Helleborus niger)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Cardiac glycosides, protoanemonin, saponins
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, salivation, drooling, vomiting, stomach pains, diarrhea, depression
11. Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to moderate
    • Chemical: Isoquinolone alkaloids
    • Parts: Seeds, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, incoordination, convulsions
12. Buttercups (Ranunculus spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to moderate
    • Chemical: Protoanemonin
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, incoordination
13. Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
    • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting, stomach pains, diarrhea, death
14. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Lobelamine, lobeline
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, roots
    • Effects: Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, depression, arrhythmia
15. Carnations and Pinks (Dianthus spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Triterpenoid saponins
    • Parts: Leaves
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, stomach upset
16. Carolina Horse Nettle (Solanum carolinense)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Solanine
    • Parts: Fruits, flowers, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Salivation, vomiting, stomach pains, diarrhea, nausea, weakness, respiratory depression, sleepiness, coma, death
17. Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Ricin, ricinine
    • Parts: Seeds, flowers, leaves, sap
    • Effects: Thirst, oral irritation, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, kidney failure, weakness, tremors, incoordination, convulsions, coma, death
18. Cherry Blossoms (Prunus spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Amygdalin, cyanogenic glycosides
    • Parts: Seeds, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, weakness, spasms, convulsions, shock, respiratory failure, coma, death
19. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Alantolactone, guaianolide, pyrethrins
    • Parts: Flowers, leaves
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination
20. Clematis (Clematis spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Protoanemonin
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, death
21. Clivia Lilies (Clivia spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Lycorine
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, tremors, arrhythmia, convulsions
22. Common Poppy (Papaver somniferum)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Alkaloids, morphine, latex
    • Parts: Fruits, sap
    • Effects: Difficulty breathing, respiratory failure, heart failure, coma, death
23. Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Furanocoumarins
    • Parts: Sap
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, photosensitization
24. Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Diterpene esters
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea
25. Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Calcium oxalates, lycorine
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, tremors, convulsions, arrhythmia, death
26. Dahlia (Dahlia spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Phototoxic polyacetylenes
    • Parts: Leaves, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, gastrointestinal issues
27. Daphnes (Daphne spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
    • Chemical: Unknown
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, thirst, oral irritation, difficulting in swallowing, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, internal bleeding, coma, death
28. Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Unknown
    • Parts: Seeds, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Vomiting, anorexia, depression, kidney failure, death
29. Death Camas (Zigadenus spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
    • Chemical: Zygacine
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Teary eyes, salivation, vomiting, urination, defecation, stomach upset, tremors, weakness, convulsions, coma, death
30. Delphiniums (Delphinium spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
    • Chemical: Ajacine, diterpene alkaloids, delphinine
    • Parts: Seeds, flowers, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, salivation, oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, tremors, weakness paralysis, convulsions, respiratory failure, heart failure, death
31. Dogbanes (Apocynum spp.)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Cardiac glycosides, resins
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, diarrhea, nausea, weakness, slow heartbeat
32. Eclipta (Eclipta prostrata)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Anthemic acid, bisabolol, chamazulene, tannic acid
    • Parts: Stems, leaves
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia
33. Flamingo Flower (Anthurium spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting
34. Fleabane (Erigeron spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Sesquiterpene lactones
    • Parts: Flowers, stems
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, gastrointestinal issues
35. Foxglove (Digitalis spp.)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Cardiac glycosides
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Distorted vision, dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, nausea, weakness, tremors, arrhythmia, heart failure, seizures, convulsions, death
36. Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Geraniol, linalool
    • Parts: Leaves
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, stomach upset, anorexia, depression, weakness, hypothermia
37. Gloriosa Lily (Gloriosa superba)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Colchicine-related alkaloids, resins
    • Parts: Seeds, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, thirst, oral irritation, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, organ failure, shock
38. Hippeastrums (Hippeastrum spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Lycorine
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, low blood pressure, arrhythmia, convulsion
39. Hosta (Hosta plataginea)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Saponins
    • Parts: Flowers, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression
40. Hyacinths (Hyacinthus spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
    • Chemical: Cardiac glycosides, lycorine, narcissus-like alkaloids
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, cramps, depression, tremors, slow heartbeat, death
41. Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Hydrangin
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves, bark
    • Effects: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, stomach pains, gastrointestinal issues, nausea, depression
42. Irises (Iris spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Iridin, irisin, irisine, missouriensin, missourin, zeorin
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, salivation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, depression, nausea
43. Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
    • Chemical: Calcium oxalates
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting
44. Laurels (Kalmia spp.)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Andromedotoxin, arbutin, grayanotoxins
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Teary eyes, runny nose, salivation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, depression, weakness, nausea, incoordination, convulsions, paralysis, slow heartbeat, heart failure, coma, death
45. Lilies (Lilium spp.)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Unknown
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Vomiting, anorexia, depression, kidney failure, death
46. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria spp.)
    • Toxicity: Low to severe
    • Chemical: Convallarin, saponins
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Disorientation, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, weakness, low blood pressure, arrhythmia, seizures, coma, death
47. Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus rosea)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Vinca alkaloids
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, low blood pressure, tremors, seizures, coma, death
48. Marijuana (Cannabis sativa)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Tetrahydrocannabinol
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
    • Effects: Dilated pupils, distorted vision, salivation, vomiting, depression, low blood pressure, incoordination, seizure, coma, death
49. Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum):
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Podophyllin
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, skin ulcers, difficulty in breathing, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, coma
50. Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Steroidal glycosidic cardenolides, resinoids
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, dilated pupils, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, weakness, spams, organ failure, respiratory failure, coma, death
51. Morning Glories (Ipomoea spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Chanoclavine, elymoclavine, lysergamide, lysergic acid
    • Parts: Seeds, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, sleepiness, nausea
52. Ornamental Onions (Allium spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Sulfides
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, rapid heartbeat
53. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates
    • Parts: Leaves
    • Effects: Oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting
54. Peonies (Paeonia spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Paeonol
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression
55. Poinsettia (Euphorbia spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to moderate
    • Chemical: Diterpene esters, saponic glycoside
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains
56. Primroses (Primula spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to moderate
    • Chemical: Primetin, primin
    • Parts: Stems, leaves
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting
57. Rain Lily (Zephyranthes atamasco)
    • Toxicity: Low to severe
    • Chemical: Galantine, lycorine, tazettine
    • Parts: Fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, roots
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, death
58. Ranger’s Buttons (Angelica capitellata)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Furocoumarins
    • Parts: Stems, leaves, sap, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, photosensitivity
59. Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Insoluble oxalates
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea
60. Small’s Ragwort (Packera anonyma)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
    • Parts: Leaves
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, liver issues
61. Sowbreads (Cyclamen spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Terpenoid saponins
    • Parts: Roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, salivation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, arrhythmia, seizures, death
62. Sweet Pea (Lathyrus spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Amine, aminoproprionitrite, glycoside, phenol
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits
    • Effects: Difficulty in breathing, depression, head pressing, slow heartbeat, tremors, convulsions, seizures, paralysis, death
63. Sword Lilies (Gladiolus spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Unknown
    • Parts: Leaves, roots
    • Effects: Salivation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, depression
64. Tulips (Tulipa spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Allergens, glycoprotein, tulipalin
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, nausea, depression
65. Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Cicutoxin, cicutol
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
    • Effects: Dilated pupils, diarrhea, stomach pains, bloating, tremors, seizures, convulsions, respiratory failures, death
66. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Achilleine, alkaloids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpene lactones
    • Parts: Flowers, leaves
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, urination, anorexia, depression

13 Fruiting Plants Toxic to Cats

Fruits are juicy and delicious, so some pet parents think that sharing and having fruiting plants around would be a great treat for cats. Despite such good intentions, fruiting plants may actually bring harm to our beloved cats.

Even though fruiting plants are by and large only mildly toxic to cats, there are still highly toxic ones as well.

On one hand, for instance, the milky sap from Figs (Ficus spp.) can cause dermatitis in cats.

Apricot stems, leaves, and/or seeds can cause serious health problems if ingested by a cat. Indeed, it is found that cats could fall into a coma after eating the stems, leaves, and seeds of an apricot (Prunus armeniaca).

Here is the full list of toxic fruiting plants, their botanical names, and their corresponding toxicities:

1. Apple (Malus sylvestris)
   • Toxicity: Mild to severe
   • Chemical: Amygdalin, cyanogenic glycosides
   • Parts: Seeds, stems, leaves
   • Effects: Dilated pupils, difficulty in breathing, tremors, shock, coma
2. Apricot (Prunus armeniaca)
   • Toxicity: Severe
   • Chemical: Amygdalin, cyanogenic glycosides
   • Parts: Seeds, stems, leaves
   • Effects: Dilated pupils, difficulty in breathing, tremors, shock, coma
3. Calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Essential oils, psoralens
   • Parts: Flowers, leaves
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, photosensitization, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal issues, nausea, depression
4. Cherries (Prunus spp.)
   • Toxicity: Severe
   • Chemical: Amygdalin, cyanogenic glycosides
   • Parts: Seeds, stems, leaves
   • Effects: Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, weakness, spasms, convulsions, shock, respiratory failure, coma, death
5. Figs (Ficus spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Ficin, ficusin
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, intestinal issues
6. Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Essential oils, psoralens
   • Parts: Flowers, leaves
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, photosensitization, vomiting, gastrointestinal issues, nausea, depression
7. Hardy Orange (Citrus trifoliata)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Essential oils, psoralens, saponic glycoside
   • Parts: Fruits, flowers, leaves
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, photosensitization, diarrhea, depression
8. Key Lime (Citrus x aurantiifolia)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Essential oils, psoralens
   • Parts: Flowers, leaves
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, gastrointestinal issues, nausea, depression
9. Lemon (Citrus x limon)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Citral, d-limonene, geraniol, psoralens
   • Parts: Fruits, flowers, leaves, sap
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal issues, depression
10. Nectarine and Peach (Prunus persica)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Amygdalin, cyanogenic glycosides
    • Parts: Seeds, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, weakness, stimulation, spasms, convulsions, shock, respiratory failure, coma, death
11. Plums (Prunus spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Amygdalin, cyanogenic glycosides
    • Parts: Seeds, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, weakness, spasms, convulsions, shock, respiratory failure, coma, death
12. Seville Orange (Citrus x aurantium):
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Essential oils, psoralens
    • Parts: Flowers, leaves
    • Effects: Photosensitization, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal issues, depression
13. Sweet Orange (Citrus x sinensis)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Citral, d-limonene, geraniol, psoralens
    • Parts: Flowers, leaves
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal issues, nausea, depression

9 Vegetable-Bearing Plants Toxic to Cats

Nowadays, many people dream of living a sustainable life. To do that, one must have a vegetable garden. Unfortunately, some vegetable-bearing plants may also come with dangers for our lovely and curious cats.

Vegetables could be mildly, moderately, or highly toxic for your cats. If your cats decide to chomp on Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), they will most likely only experience salivation.

Eggplants are an example of highly dangerous fruit-bearing plants for cats. If eaten in large amounts, this can cause irregular heartbeats—arrhythmia—which can be fatal.

Here is the full list of toxic vegetable-bearing plants, their botanical names, and their corresponding toxicities:

1. Eggplants (Solanum melongena)
   • Toxicity: Severe
   • Chemical: Alkaloids, solanine
   • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves, roots
   • Effects: Oral irritation, vomiting, nausea, arrhythmia, death
2. Garlic (Allium sativum)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Diallyl disulfide, N-propyl disulfide
   • Parts: Fruits, flowers, leaves, roots
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, bloody urine, anemia, weakness, rapid heartbeat
3. Leek (Allium ampeloprasum)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: N-propyl disulfide
   • Parts: Flowers, leaves, roots
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, bloody urine, anemia, weakness, rapid heartbeat
4. Onions (Allium spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: N-propyl disulfide
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, roots
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody urine, anemia, nausea, weakness, rapid heartbeat
5. Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
   • Toxicity: Severe
   • Chemical: Alkaloids, solanine
   • Parts: Fruits, stems, leaves, roots
   • Effects: Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, weakness, sleepiness, respiratory failure, death
6. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
   • Toxicity: Mild to moderate
   • Chemical: Calcium oxalates
   • Parts: Flowers, leaves
   • Effects: Salivation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody urine, gastrointestinal issues, kidney failure, renal problems, weakness, depression, tremors
7. Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)
   • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
   • Chemical: Anthraquinone glycosides, calcium oxalates
   • Parts: Leaves, roots
   • Effects: Oral irritation, salivation, vomiting, stomach pains, nausea, weakness, tremors, kidney failure, coma
8. Sorrels (Rumex spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild to moderate
   • Chemical: Calcium oxalates
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, salivation, vomiting, anorexia, depression, stomach pains, nausea, tremors, slow heartbeat, kidney failure, renal problems
9. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)
   • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
   • Chemical: Solanine, tomatine
   • Parts: Stems, leaves
   • Effects: Dilated pupils, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, gastrointestinal issues, weakness, respiratory failure, heart failure

30 Vines, Shrubs, and Trees That are Toxic to Cats

Giving your cats supervised and leashed adventures in the great outdoors is definitely going to benefit not only your cat but you as well. Sadly, a lot of seemingly harmless vines, shrubs, and trees could actually be quite toxic for our cute kitties.

As with the previous poisonous plants, the listed vines, shrubs, and trees have varying degrees of toxicity to cats. On one hand, Hollies (Ilex spp.) only cause vomiting and/or diarrhea in cats.

Oleander is a very highly toxic plant for cats. It could cause a large variety of problems, ranging from bloody diarrhea to even death in cats.

Here is the full list of toxic vines, shrubs, and trees, their botanical names, and their corresponding toxicities:

1. American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)
   • Toxicity: Mild to moderate
   • Chemical: Alkaloids, cardenolides
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
   • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, seizures, coma
2. American Mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum)
   • Toxicity: Moderate
   • Chemical: Amine, lectins, toxalbumin, phoratoxins
   • Parts: Fruits
   • Effects: Diffilutcy in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, low blood pressure, slow heartbeat
3. Angelica Tree (Aralia spinosa)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Araliin
   • Parts: Fruits, bark, roots
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, oral irritation, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea
4. Barbados Pride (Erythrostemon gilliesii)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Hydrocyanic acid
   • Parts: Leaves
   • Effects: Oral irritation, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination
5. Boxwoods (Buxus spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Steroidal alkaloids
   • Parts: Leaves, bark
   • Effects: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea
6. Brunfelsias (Brunfelsia spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Brunfelsamidine
   • Parts: Leaves
   • Effects: Coughing, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, incoordination. tremors, seizures
7. Buckeyes (Aesculus spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild to severe
   • Chemical: Aesculin, alkaloids, esculin, saponins
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
   • Effects: Dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, stimulation, weakness, incoordination, convulsions, paralysis, coma, death
8. Buddhist Pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus)
   • Toxicity: Mild
   • Chemical: Unknown
   • Parts: Seeds
   • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea
9. Burning Bushes (Euonymus spp.)
   • Toxicity: Mild to moderate
   • Chemical: Alkaloids, cardenolides
   • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
   • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, weakness, arrhythmia, convulsions, coma
10. Cape Jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Gardenoside, genioposide
    • Parts: Flowers, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset
11. Cherry Trees (Prunus spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Amygdalin, cyanogenic glycosides
    • Parts: Seeds, stems, leaves
    • Effects: Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, weakness, spasms, convulsions, shock, respiratory failure, coma, death
12. Chinaberry (Melia azedarach)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Tetranortriterpenes
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Difficulty in breathing, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, depression, weakness, seizures, paralysis
13. Doghobbles (Leucothoe spp.)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Andromedotoxin, grayanotoxins
    • Parts: Flowers, leaves
    • Effects: Runny nose, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, nausea, depression, weakness, low blood pressure, paralysis, coma, death
14. Florida Hobble Bush (Agarista populifolia)
    • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
    • Chemical: Andromedotoxin
    • Parts: Leaves
    • Effects: Teary eyes, runny nose, salivation, vomiting, stomach pains, nausea, weakness, convulsions
15. Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Cyanogenic glycosides
    • Parts: Fruits
    • Effects: Weakness, incoordination, seizures, respiratory failure, coma, death
16. Hollies (Ilex spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Saponins
    • Parts: Seeds, leaves
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, weakness, low blood pressure, death
17. Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Andromedotoxin, grayanotoxins
    • Parts: Flowers, leaves. sap
    • Effects: Teary eyes, runny nose, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, depression, weakness, convulsions, heart failure, death
18. Lantanas (Lantana spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate
    • Chemical: Pentacyclic triterpenoids, triterpenes
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, dilated pupils, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, liver failure
19. Locusts (Robinia spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Phasin, robin, robinine, robitin
    • Parts: Seeds, leaves, bark
    • Effects: Difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, weakness, shock, death
20. Maleberries (Lyonia spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Andromedotoxin, arbutin, glucoside, grayanotoxins, resinoid
    • Parts: Flowers, leaves, sap
    • Effects: Teary eyes, runny nose, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, stomach pains, depression, weakness, nausea, incoordination, low blood pressure, convulsions, paralysis, coma, heart failure, death
21. Nightshades (Solanum spp.)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Alkaloids, atropine-like substances, saponins, solanine
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Dilated pupils, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, anorexia, depression, sleepiness, nausea, weakness, low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, respiratory failure, seizures, coma, death
22. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Nerioside, oleandroside, saponins
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis, pupil dilation, drooling, diarrhea, stomach pains, depression, sleepiness, slow heartbeat, arrhythmia, death
23. Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Abric acid, abrin
    • Parts: Seeds
    • Effects: Oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, rapid heartbeat, tremors, shock, death
24. Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis)
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Essential oils, eugenol
    • Parts: Leaves
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, impaction
25. Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)
    • Toxicity: Severe
    • Chemical: Nicotine
    • Parts: Flowers, leaves
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, overstimulation, incoordination, slow heartbeat, paralysis, death
26. Wax-Leaf Privets (Ligustrum spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
    • Chemical: Protoanemonin, saponins shikimic acid, syringin
    • Parts: Fruits, leaves
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, nausea, weakness, incoordination, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, death
27. Wisterias (Wisteria spp.)
    • Toxicity: Mild to moderate
    • Chemical: Lectin, wisterin glycoside, resin
    • Parts: Seeds, flowers, stems, leaves, sap, bark, roots
    • Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, depression, nausea
28. Yellow Oleander (Cascabela thevetia)
    • Toxicity: Mild to severe
    • Chemical: Unkown
    • Parts: Sap
    • Effects: Contact dermatitis
29. Yews (Taxus spp.)
    • Toxicity: Moderate to severe
    • Chemical: Taxine
    • Parts: Seeds, fruits, leaves, bark
    • Effects: Pupil dilation, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, weakness, tremors, seizures, convulsions, slow heartbeat, heart failure, death
30. Yuccas (Yucca spp.):
    • Toxicity: Mild
    • Chemical: Saponins
    • Parts: Roots
    • Effects: Vomiting

FAQs

Summary of Plants Toxic for Cats

When selecting which plants to add to your home, make sure that they are not known to be toxic to cats. Though some are only mildly toxic, it is still recommended for pet owners to prevent their cats from having any access to toxic plants—regardless of whether they are placed indoors or outdoors.

The severity in which a problematic plant will adversely affect cats varies greatly. On one end, it could only cause a mild and temporary case of dermatitis. But some plants can trigger toxic reactions and—in extreme and rare cases—long-lasting permanent damage to the animal and even death.

Keep in mind that simple exposure to toxic plants rarely ever poisons cats significantly. Poisoning will only result from 1) prolonged direct contact and 2) substantial ingestion of a toxic plant or specific parts of it. Nevertheless, veterinarians should be contacted if poisoning is suspected in cats.

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Sources

• “Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List – Cats” by n/a in American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• “North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox” by n/a in N.C. Cooperative Extension
• “Plants Poisonous to Livestock and other Animals” by n/a in Cornell of Agriculture and Life Sciences