Common Toxic Plants That Pose Risks to Cats

Cats are intelligent creatures known for their cautious eating habits. However, pollen, seeds, or plant residues can stick to their fur or paws, leading to accidental ingestion of harmful substances through grooming. To safeguard your feline friends, it's important to identify plants that can be toxic to cats. Below are some plants that can pose serious health risks.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
All parts of the peace lily, including leaves, roots, flowers, and pollen, should be kept away from cats. Ingesting this plant can cause severe kidney damage.

Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, mouth and gastrointestinal irritation, excessive drooling, and, in rare cases, difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
The sago palm contains cycasin, a toxin that can cause liver damage in cats. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, black stools, bruising, excessive thirst, lethargy, and potentially death.

Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae)
Eucalyptus can lead to drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. While toxicity is typically mild and resolves within 24 hours, higher doses can cause more serious health issues.

Dieffenbachia
Also known as dumb cane or tropic snow, dieffenbachia contains calcium oxalate crystals that, when ingested, can cause burning sensations, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Kalanchoe
All parts contain bufadienolides, which can lead to gastrointestinal upset, heart rhythm issues, and seizures if consumed by cats.

Oleander
This outdoor shrub contains cardiac toxins that affect the heart muscle, leading to symptoms like drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and potentially fatal heart problems. Keep cats away from oleander.

Jade Plant (Crassula)
Known as money or dollar plant, jade plants are low-maintenance but dangerous for cats. Signs of poisoning include vomiting, lethargy, depression, and lack of coordination.