Are you aware that some flowers and plants can be harmful to your cat? If you want to add some plants to your home decor, you should only choose plants that are safe for cats if you have one.
Even though any plant matter can make you sick, Tina Wismer, medical director at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, says that some plants are much more dangerous.
Cat owners should also know that some flowers and plants that are safe for dogs can be very dangerous for cats. For example, lilies can cause kidney failure in cats, but only mild stomach upset in dogs. So don’t assume the same rules apply for your dog-friendly plants.
Wildflowers add gorgeous pops of color to gardens and bouquets. But are these pretty untamed blossoms safe to have around your curious cat? With over 32,000 types of wildflowers in North America alone, it’s tricky to know which specific blooms pose a risk for feline companions.
While many wildflowers are non-toxic for cats some common wildflowers can cause illness if ingested. Understanding what’s safe and what to avoid is key to prevent poisoning from these free-flowering beauties. Here’s an overview of wildflowers and their safety for cats.
Wildflowers are flowering plants that grow naturally without human cultivation. They flourish across fields prairies, forests mountains and deserts. Wildflowers come in a rainbow of colors like red Indian paintbrush, purple verbena, yellow black-eyed Susans and white yarrow.
Some well-known wildflowers include
- Oxeye daisies
- Queen Anne’s lace
- Coneflowers
- Dandelions
- Wild roses
- Daisies
- Poppies
- Sunflowers
- Lavender
- Coreopsis
Wildflowers play a crucial role in the ecosystem as food and shelter for wildlife. Their blossoms also support pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Are Wildflowers Poisonous to Cats?
Many wildflowers are harmless and even beneficial for cats. Some may act as digestive aids or have antimicrobial properties. But certain wildflower types contain toxic compounds that could sicken cats if consumed.
Potentially Unsafe Wildflowers:
- Lupine
- Monkshood
- Larkspur
- Datura
- Foxglove
- Pokeweed
- Milkweed
- Nightshade
- Hemlock
Safer Wildflower Choices:
- Black-eyed susans
- New England aster
- Bee balm
- Coneflowers
- Coreopsis
- Gaillardia
- Goldenrod
Research specific wildflower varieties before exposing cats. When in doubt, avoid bringing risky, unknown wildflowers into your home or garden.
Wildflower Risks for Cats
The main risks wildflowers pose to cats include:
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Ingestion – Cats may chew or eat flowers, leaves, roots or seeds leading to poisoning. Lilies are extremely toxic to cats if ingested.
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Dermal contact – Oils from some plants can cause irritation, rashes or reactions on the skin and mouth.
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Grooming – Cats who brush against flowers may later ingest pollen or plant matter when self-grooming.
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Spilled vase water – Standing water may contain fallen petals, leaves or plant matter.
Kittens and free-roaming cats face the greatest risks around potentially toxic wildflowers. But indoor cats can also accidentally ingest plants from bouquets.
Signs of Wildflower Poisoning in Cats
Watch for these symptoms if you suspect your cat encountered toxic wildflowers:
- Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Pawing at the face or mouth
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Fast, slowed or irregular heartbeat
- Seizures
- Difficulty breathing
Seek immediate veterinary treatment if poisoning is suspected. Bring samples of vomit and the ingested wildflower if possible. Prompt action is vital to avoid serious kidney and liver damage.
How to Keep Cats Safe Around Wildflowers
While wildflowers offer beauty, take these precautions to protect curious cats:
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Research wildflowers thoroughly and avoid toxic varieties around pets. Stick with known cat-safe wildflowers only.
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Remove and discard spent wildflowers as soon as they wilt to prevent curiosity.
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Display bouquets up high, out of reach of cats.
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Opt for wildflower photos or artwork instead of live plants if concerned.
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Keep potted wildflowers in obscured, off-limit areas of the home.
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Pick wildflowers with sturdy stems. Choose safer blooms that won’t shed excessive pollen.
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Change standing water frequently to discourage drinking.
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Limit cats’ outdoor access to areas with potentially toxic wildflowers.
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Deter cats from nibbling houseplants and bouquets by providing safe cat grass instead.
Cat-Friendly Wildflowers to Grow or Display
Many gorgeous wildflowers are non-toxic for cats. Here are some feline-approved options:
Safe Wildflowers for Gardens and Meadows
- Black Eyed Susans
- Bee Balm
- Blanket Flower
- Butterfly Weed
- Coneflowers
- Coreopsis
- Marsh Mallow
- Mexican Hat
- Milkweed
- Purple Coneflower
- Wild Bergamot
Safe Cut Wildflowers for Bouquets
- Baby’s Breath
- Carnations
- Chrysanthemums
- Cockscomb
- Daisies
- Lavender
- Statice
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
With careful selection, wildflowers can safely enrich gardens and home decor for cat owners. But take precautions, as some varieties pose serious risks if ingested by curious cats and kittens. When in doubt, steer clear of unknown wildflowers around your pets. Opt for photograph prints or safer cultivated flowers instead to be safe.
Plant Safety for Cats
Just because a plant isn’t toxic to cats doesn’t mean it still can’t pose safety concerns.
If a cat eats something strange, like plant matter or the cut flower food that often comes with bouquets, it can get sick and have symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and losing its appetite. You can also give your cat a GI tract blockage if it eats a lot of any kind of plant matter.
Even the vase could pose a problem. Wismer says, “Cats like to drink from vases, so make sure the cat can’t knock over heavy vases and hurt itself.” “Vases that break easily can also be dangerous for your pets… and you, when you have to pick up the pieces.” ”.
Wismer recommends keeping all plants and flowers out of reach of curious cats. You can put them in a room where your cat isn’t allowed to be alone or hang planters from the ceiling so your cat can’t get to them.
20 Plants That Are Safe for Cats
You can choose from many houseplants that are safe for cats if you want less color and more green.
- Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
- Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea)
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Boston fern (Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis)
- Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
- Dill (Anethum graveolena)
- Dwarf date palm (Phoenix acaulis)
- Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata)
- Hens and chicks (Echeveria elegans)
- Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa)
- Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
- Old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis)
- Painted lady (Echeveria multicaulis)
- Reed palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
- Sage (Salvia officinalis)
- Shrimp cactus (Schlumbergera russelliana)
- Spider plant/spider ivy (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Venus fly trap (Dionaea muscipula)
- Zebra haworthia (Haworthia fasciata)
Different flowers and plants sometimes go by similar common names. Whenever possible, find the plant’s scientific name (genus and species) and use that to search a reliable database, like the ASPCA Pet Poison Control’s toxic and non-toxic plants list.
28 Low Light Indoor Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs || Non-Toxic Plants
Can cats eat flowering plants?
Cats can be mischievous, and some flowering plants are certainly not suitable to have in a home with pets who may take a nibble off them. Thankfully, there are cat-friendly flowers and plants out there. Many plants and flowers are toxic to cats and other pets.
Are flowers safe for cats?
Traditional lilies are extremely toxic to cats and can lead to fatal kidney failure, but Alstroemeria is not a true lily.These blooms come in various colors like pink, orange, red, purple, and white.They’re
Are plants poisonous to cats?
“While any plant material can cause mild stomach upset, some plants are much more dangerous,” says Tina Wismer, medical director at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. It’s also important for cat parents to know that some plants and flowers that are relatively safe for dogs can be deadly for cats.
Are indoor plants safe for cats to chew?
Luckily, there are various bedroom plants, office plants and kitchen plants that are not only air-purifying but safe for your cats to chew. And if you end up choosing a plant that’s not the best option for your pet, don’t worry —Pangborn has the solution.