What Plants Are Toxic to Cats? What to Avoid Indoors and in the Garden

Curiosity killed the cat, but the biggest danger to a beloved pet could in fact be the seemingly benign plants lurking in a home.

Most cats are fastidious creatures, and because they tend to be careful about what they eat, poisoning is generally rare, according to the International Cat Care Organization.

However, to be on the safe side, here is a list of the most common plants toxic to cats to avoid growing in your home or garden.

cat in grass
A domestic tabby cat sits in the grass surrounded by pink flowers.
C P George/Getty Images

Are lilies poisonous to cats?

Lily toxicity is particularly dangerous for cats and can result in death. The entire lily plant is toxic: from the stem to the flowers, leaves, bulb, pollen and even the water in the vase, warns American Kennel Club Chief Veterinary expert, Dr. Jerry Klein.

“Signs may start with drooling and vomiting, painful abdomen, abnormal heart rates but can lead to serious complete urine shutdown production, which is usually fatal, within 48 hours,” Klein told Newsweek.

Consumption most commonly occurs when pollen that has fallen from the plant is licked off the cat’s fur during grooming, according to U.K. charity Cats Protection.

Klein concurred, explaining that flower arrangements are the most common cause of lily exposure to cats.

“Every part of the lily is extremely dangerous for cats,” cat behavior expert and author Pam Johnson-Bennett told Newsweek. “Even coming in contact with the pollen can cause acute kidney injury.”

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