Houseplants can beautify any home. They make your living environment more attractive and can even improve the air quality of your home. These beautiful creatures can even reduce anxiety and depression, so some believe that keeping plants is a form of therapy in itself.
But if you have a cat in your home, you have to avoid many plants because they may be poisonous to your cat, especially since cats are known for being mischievous and like to chew everything. Therefore, in this article from TooPlant, we will introduce you to 15 popular indoor plants that are poisonous to cats, so that you know whether they are poisonous to your cat or not!
Why do cats eat plants, and should I be worried?
One of the motivations for cats to eat plants is the existence of a mass of herbal. The worst that can happen to your cat is that the plant eaten is poisonous.
It’s not a staple diet, but consuming the plant helps the digestive system function and move furballs through the digestive system.
Important tips when a cat eats a poisonous houseplant
- If the cat secretes a lot of saliva after eating a harmful plant or has digestive problems, be sure to consult a veterinarian.
- If you find out which plant the cat ate, take that plant with you to the vet or tell the vet its name.
- After eating a poisonous houseplant, do not give the cat anything, neither water nor food.
- Never feed cat milk because milk is mistakenly said to be anti-poison. You just need to take him to the vet as soon as possible.
What are some toxic houseplants to cats?
Unfortunately, some houseplants are poisonous and can cause allergic reactions, poisoning and even death in cats. Plants have different effects on animals. Keeping poisonous houseplants alone does not harm us and only in special cases causes children or animals to be poisoned.
Poisoning of toxic house plants for cats can happen for the following reasons:
- Eating or touching the leaves
- Eating flowers, roots or stems
- Skin contact with plant sap
- Eating plant soil
It is recommended to keep poisonous plants out of the reach of children and animals to avoid problems for them. You can also store plants outside the house for peace of mind that they are out of reach. In the following, we will introduce some toxic houseplants for cats.
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15 Houseplants That Are Toxic to Cats |
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| 1. Aloevera | 9. English Ivy (Hedera Helix) |
| 2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) | 10. Lilies (Lilium or Hemerocallis spp.) |
| 3. Pothos | 11. Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) |
| 4. Monstera Deliciosa (Split Leaf Philodendron) | 12. Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) |
| 5. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) | 13. Snake Plant (Dracaena Trifasciata) |
| 6. Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) | 14. Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) |
| 7. Kalanchoe | 15. Cyclamen |
| 8. Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) | |
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is popular because of the healing properties of its leaves. This plant is known for its fleshy, succulent-like leaves, as well as its rosette-shaped growth style.
It is true that aloe vera has healing properties for humans, but this plant is one of the poisonous indoor plants for cats and can cause weakness, vomiting and diarrhea if eaten.
- Toxic Properties: saponin, anthraquinone
- Safe Alternative: Haworthia
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
This plant is one of the most popular houseplants, but it is poisonous to cats. With its dark leaves, white flowers and low maintenance, the Peace Lily has become very popular and is the choice of many people for the spring season. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, peace lily is poisonous to cats and dogs.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) contains calcium oxalate and if crushed, it causes vomiting, mouth and digestive tract irritation, mouthwatering and in some cases difficulty breathing or swallowing. This plant is not poisonous until swallowed and is not dangerous to touch. (If you want to know all the tips you need to care for Peace Lily, click here).
- Toxic Properties: Insoluble calcium oxalates
- Safe Alternative: Aspidistra (Cast-Iron Plant)
Pothos; A popular houseplant but toxic to cats
Pothos has become one of the popular houseplants that both novices and professionals love because they require little care.
This plant is harmless and non-toxic when touched, but it will be toxic to your cat if eaten.
Pothos can cause burning of the lips and mouth, vomiting and swelling of the mouth. (Click to know other important and useful tips for care for Pothos).
- Toxic Properties: insoluble calcium oxalate
- Safe Alternative: Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Monstera Deliciosa (Split Leaf Philodendron)
Monstera Deliciosa is one of the popular tropical houseplants that has become a trend in social networks and interior design, and of course, it owes its popularity to its beautiful tropical leaves.
Monstera Deliciosa (Split Leaf Philodendron) is easy to care for and will become the landscape of any home upon its arrival.
Unfortunately, Monstera Deliciosa contains insoluble calcium oxalate, which makes them highly toxic to cats. Therefore, if you have a cat in your home, do not go for this plant, because it is one of the houseplants that are toxic for cats and will poison your cat.
However, if you like to have this plant in your home, place it in a place where it is impossible for your cat to reach it. It should be noted that the symptoms of poisoning with this plant include burning of the lips and mouth, mouthwatering, swelling of the mouth and vomiting. (Read any more: the best tips for caring for a Monstera Deliciosa).
- Toxic Properties: insoluble calcium oxalate
- Safe Alternative: Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
This plant, which is also known as the “money plant” or “dollar plant,” is actually a type of succulent that is easy to maintain and is believed to bring good luck and happiness to its owner. This plant is popular for its dark, fleshy, thick leaves as well as its woody stems. Unfortunately, the jade plant is also very toxic to cats, dogs and horses, and if eaten, it can cause vomiting, weakness, depression and confusion.
- Toxic Properties: Unknown cause of toxicity but all parts of the plant can cause reactions in cats
- Safe Alternative: Peperomia Plant (Radiator Plant)
Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
Cycas revoluta, also known as sago palm, is a cute and tropical plant. This plant can help to increase the quality of air inside the house and its special appearance makes it attract the eye of every viewer and become the strong point of the interior design of the house.
Cycas revoluta, while beautiful, has an ancient defense system that makes it very toxic to pets, especially cats. Eating any part of this plant is equivalent to vomiting, nausea and even death in some cases. If you have a cat at home, it is better to keep this plant away from its reach.
- Toxic Properties: Cycasin
- Safe Alternative: Areca palm
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe is another poisonous houseplant for cats. All parts of this plant are poisonous and contain compounds called bufadienolides, which cause severe digestive symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting, and in rare cases, if consumed in high amounts, it may lead to cardiac arrhythmia and seizures.
- Toxic Properties: Bufodienolides
- Safe Alternative: Sedum
Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)
Hyacinths are bulbs of the asparagus family and are poisonous to pets. These beautiful plants contain alkaloids that can be dangerous if ingested by cats. Onions and herbs may cause vomiting, bloody diarrhea, depression and tremors.
- Toxic Properties: Possibly narcissus-like alkaloids like lycorine and calcium oxalate raphides
- Safe Alternative: Common lilac
English Ivy (Hedera Helix)
English Ivy has small, climbing leaves and you can also place it in hanging pots to show off its beauty. This issue may also attract the attention of cats and they want to play with the hanging branches and fight, but they are unaware that English Ivy (Hedera Helix) is dangerous and poisonous for cats. If eaten, this plant can cause various symptoms including weakness, vomiting, sore throat, runny nose, ataxia (muscle incoordination), eczema or skin allergies. (Finish reading: How to Care for English Ivy?)
- Toxic Properties: Triterpenoid saponins
- Safe Alternative: Swedish ivy
Lilies (Lilium or Hemerocallis spp.)
Maybe you received a bouquet of lilium and your cat is curious to chew on the lilium flowers. You need to know that it is one of the most dangerous plants for your cat. Chewing one or two leaves or petals of this plant can introduce enough poison into the cat’s body to cause severe kidney failure. The entire plant—stems, leaves, flowers, pollen, and water in the vase—is toxic to cats and causes kidney failure within three days. Most of them are a deadly combination in the home with cats.
- Toxic Properties: Unknown what the toxin is in the plant
- Safe Alternative: Orchids
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
The beautiful and tropical leaves of this plant, along with its easy maintenance and care, have made it one of the popular house plants.
 There are different types of this plant that grow in different sizes, but unfortunately, Dieffenbachia is also one of the most toxic houseplants for cats. Also, the juice of this plant is allergenic for humans and it is better not to contact the skin.
If your cat is poisoned by this plant, symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, mouth burning, mouth sensitivity, swelling, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing or swallowing. (See here for complete information on care for Dieffenbachia).
- Toxic Properties: Insoluble calcium oxalates, proteolytic enzyme
- Safe Alternative: Staghorn fern
Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
There are two completely different bird of paradise plants, Strelitzia Regniae and Caesalpinia gilliesii. Both types of these houseplants are poisonous to cats.
You should know that Caesalpinia gilliesii is more toxic and can cause more problems such as severe burning and stinging of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea and difficulty swallowing. Also, Strelitzia species may cause mild nausea and drowsiness.
- Toxic Properties: Possibly hydrocyanic acid
- Safe Alternative: Bromeliads
Snake Plant (Dracaena Trifasciata)
This plant, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue or Sansevieria, is one of the best plants for low-light environments that can also increase the quality of the air around it.
 This plant is also one of the toxic plants for cats, and in addition to them, it is also considered a poisonous plant for dogs. This plant can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if eaten.
- Toxic Properties: Saponins
- Safe Alternative: Rattlesnake plant
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Poinsettia is a shrub native to Mexico that is mildly toxic to cats and is not as deadly as previously thought. The milky sap of this plant can cause mouth and stomach irritation, vomiting, salivation and skin irritation.
- Toxic Properties: Diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents
- Safe Alternative: Polka dot plant
Cyclamen
Cyclamen is another plant that is very toxic to pets. If you want to have this plant at home because of its unique beauty, make sure to keep it away from pets. Seasonal flowering cyclamen roots are very dangerous to pets such as cats and dogs. Like Dieffenbachia, this plant also causes severe vomiting. Cyclamen is one of the harmful plants that can unfortunately cause the death of your pet. (Click to know other important and useful tips for care for Cyclamen).
Finally, if you have a pet, you are responsible for it, so it’s best to do some research before bringing any plant indoors to make sure there is no danger to these little friends. You can also put your poisonous plants out of your cat’s reach, but it’s a better course of action to bring a safe plant indoors first for your peace of mind and your cat’s life.
In The End
In this article, we tried to provide you with the necessary information about 15 toxic houseplants to cats.
However, if you have any questions regarding this indoor plant or you need to get advice from our houseplant experts, please share your questions with us through the comments section below.
