Vibrant colours, sweet aromas, and a myriad of shapes are the undeniably marvellous features of live flowers. Despite their seemingly harmless nature, certain floral varieties are a hazard for house cats. If you or someone you know has one, you know how common it is to look up information on poisonous flowers before ordering flower delivery in London. We’ve put together a complete guide for pet owners to save you the trouble of having to look through hundreds of popular choices. Let’s find out what flowers are poisonous to cats!
As a cat owner, you want to fill your home with beauty while also keeping your feline safe. Fresh cut flowers are a lovely decoration, but it’s crucial to know which blooms pose a risk. Stock flowers are a popular choice often found in bouquets, so how do they measure up for cats? Let’s dive into whether stock flowers are poisonous to cats or not.
What Are Stock Flowers?
Stock flowers, also known as gillyflowers, are part of the genus Matthiola They belong to the Brassicaceae plant family along with cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower
Stock flowers feature dense clusters of small, fragrant blooms growing on long spikes. The flowers come in a rainbow of colors like pink purple white, red, yellow, peach, and more. The foliage is attractive as well with blue-green lance-shaped leaves.
Stock flowers grow as cool weather annuals or short-lived perennials. They are native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Europe. People commonly grow them in flower beds as borders. Florists also value stock as cut flowers since they last up to two weeks in arrangements.
Are Stock Flowers Toxic for Cats?
The key question for cat owners is, are stock flowers poisonous to cats if nibbled or ingested? The excellent news is stock flowers are completely non-toxic for cats.
If your cat happens to take a bite of a stock flower from a vase or arrangement, they will experience no ill effects. Stock flowers contain no hazardous substances. The ASPCA includes stock on their list of non-toxic plants for cats.
So while cats should avoid eating plants in general, stock flowers will not harm your feline friend if they get into them. Feel free to safely include stocks in any cat-friendly bouquets you display in your home.
Signs of Plant Poisoning in Cats
While stock flowers themselves are cat-safe, many popular cut flowers and houseplants are toxic for cats. It’s helpful to recognize the signs of plant poisoning in cats, so you can react promptly if needed. Be on alert for these symptoms:
- Drooling, lip smacking
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy, depression
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulty breathing
- Tremors, seizures
- Hypersalivation
- Oral irritation, pain
If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, especially after they’ve interacted with plants, call your vet right away or visit an emergency clinic. Bring along any blossoms, leaves, or plant parts for identification. Prompt treatment is key for the best outcome.
Most Toxic Flowers for Cats
While stock is cat-safe, many other popular flowers are quite hazardous for curious felines. Here are some of the most toxic flowers and plants to avoid if you have cats:
Lilies
All true lilies are extremely poisonous to cats, including Tiger Lily, Daylily, Asiatic and Oriental Lily, Calla Lily, and more. Even small ingestions can cause kidney failure.
Tulips
Tulips contain toxins that irritate the mouth and esophagus. Ingesting the bulb is the most dangerous.
Azaleas, Rhododendrons
These ornamental shrubs contain grayanotoxins that affect the cardiovascular system, gut, and nervous system.
Daffodils
The bulbs have alkaloid toxins that cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and cardiac effects.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangea macrophylla and serrata contain cyanide and glycosides that irritate the gut.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemum plants contain pyrethrins that cause gastrointestinal issues.
Sago Palm
Highly toxic, ingesting any part of a Sago palm can cause severe liver failure.
Take extreme care to keep lilies and all these toxic flowers well out of your cat’s reach. The safest approach is to avoid them in households with cats. Opt for silk or fabric flowers for zero risk.
Safest Real Flower Options for Cat Owners
While many popular flowers are risky, these blossoms are generally considered non-toxic and safe to display around cats:
- Roses
- Sunflowers
- Orchids
- Petunias
- Marigolds
- Zinnias
- Pansies
- Snapdragons
- Lavender
- Stock flowers
- Gerbera daisies
- Asters
- Dahlias
- Cosmos
Keep fresh bouquets up high or enclosed in a cat-proof container as an extra precaution. Never let cats ingest any type of flower or foliage. But you can include these non-toxic varieties in your home without extreme worry.
Extra Precautions for Flower Safety
To maximize safety around cut flowers, follow these tips:
- Identify each flower in a bouquet and verify it is cat-safe.
- Keep vases and pots up high, out of cats’ reach.
- Put flowering plants in rooms cats can’t access.
- Use enclosed or covered vases cats can’t get into.
- Opt for silk, fabric, or dried flowers instead of live ones.
- Avoid flowers marketed with “floral foam” which may contain formaldehyde.
- Redirect and discourage interest in plants with toys or treats.
- Know the closest emergency vet clinic in case of poisoning.
With smart precautions, you can sidestep the risks and include beautiful blooms in your cat-filled home. Stock flowers are one excellent non-toxic choice.
Enjoying Flowers Safely with Cats at Home
Fresh cut flowers liven up any space with their vibrant colors, delightful scents, and natural beauty. As a cat owner, don’t deny yourself the pleasure of floral arrangements – simply be selective in your choices. By steering clear of poisonous picks like lilies and tulips and opting for cat-safe varieties like stock flowers, roses, and daisies, you can decorate flowerfully and responsibly. A few mindful precautions will allow you and your feline to both bask in the beauty of blossoms.
Frequency of Entities:
are stock flowers poisonous to cats: 7
https://thevets.com/blog/flowers-safe-for-cats/: 2
https://www.cats.org.uk/media/9595/cats-and-cut-flowers.pdf: 1
https://thevets.com/blog/flowers-safe-for-cats/: 2
Common Flowers That Are Poisonous to Cats
Lilies and tulips are the most well-known flowers that are bad for cats because they can hurt them in so many ways. However, innumerable other specimens can be hazardous too. Take a look at our infographics with household flowers that are poisonous for cats:
Despite their lovely looks, they produce tulipalin A, which is extremely poisonous for any domestic cats.
Even though daffodils are beautiful, they contain lycorine, a chemical that is known to make a lot of people feel drunk.
Thankfully, they are hypoallergenic, so there’s no need to worry if your cat nibbles on them.
Sadly, peonies contain paeonol, which leads to vomiting and might even cause depression in cats.
Gladioli are full of glycosides, responsible for regurgitation, diarrhoea, and occasional tremors.
Although ferns are not considered highly toxic, they can still irritate the bowel when swallowed in large amounts.
These flowers produce iridin, which provokes drooling, respiratory difficulties, and often lethargy in cats.
As a member of the lily family, amaryllises are very poisonous and often cause serious stomach problems, kidney problems, and even death.
Even though azaleas are not the same species as lilies, they can still cause extreme weakness, bowel problems, and organ failure.
The flowers produce terpenoid saponins, which might lead to vomiting, loose stool, and lethal outcomes.
Stocks are entirely safe, meaning it’s absolutely fine to grow them in a cat household.
Given that rhododendrons produce grayanotoxins, responsible for regurgitation, intoxication, and walking issues, keep your curious pets away.
The safest flowers for felines, dianthuses are both easy to care for and harmless.
Another variety posing no threat to most pets, fuchsias are low-risk for your fluffy companions.
Safe Plants for Cats
Fortunately, numerous plants are safe to grow around cats: consider lisianthus, calathea, and the ever-famous Boston fern. Take a peek at the full list:
