Plants poisonous to cats

A lot of indoor and outdoor plants are poisonous to cats. While not a definitive list, we've identified some of the most common ones to look out for.

If a plant you’re concerned about isn’t on this list, ask your vet for advice. If you have cat insurance with Petplan, you can also use the Pet Expert Chat feature to connect with vet professionals, 24/7. Log in to your My Petplan account and go to the MySupport area to access advice.

Most cats will sniff plants first, and tend to avoid eating any plants except the occasional bit of grass. But others may decide to play with foliage and take an exploratory bite. If the plant is poisonous, this can cause problems for your cat which can range in severity depending on how much of the plant is eaten.

The pollen and leaves of some plants can also cause contact irritation or allergies, so your cat may have a reaction if they’ve brushed against the plant, or got pollen on their fur – which can also cause them to accidentally ingest poisonous substances while grooming.

• If you’re concerned your cat has ingested or come into contact with a poisonous plant, these are the symptoms to watch out for. Remember that your cat might only show one or two symptoms, including:
•  
• Itching
• Swelling
• Red or watery eyes
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Breathing difficulties
• Drooling
• Diarrhoea
• Lack of appetite
• Excessive drinking
• Frequent urination
• Seizures
• Tremors
• Pale gums
• Collapse
  
  
• It’s always best to ask your vet for advice, as swift treatment will help lead to a better recovery. If you think your cat has eaten a poisonous plant, look for signs that a leaf has been chewed off, or for pollen on their coat. Knowing which plant your cat has eaten or come into contact with will help your vet decide on what treatment they nee

If you’re looking for indoor plants you can keep safely alongside your cat, these are some of the best to choose:

Looking to create a cat-safe garden? Here are some recommendations to get you started:

Lilies are extremely poisonous to cats, and all parts of the leaves, flowers, and pollen can be dangerous if ingested or even just licked by your cat. The water that lilies have been standing in can also be toxic.

Cats aren’t often interested in eating lilies, but may get pollen on their fur which they then lick off when grooming. Coming into contact with any part of a lily can cause kidney failure, so urgent vet care is needed.