How Does Your Garden Grow?

Which plants and flowers are toxic to cats?

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The days are finally getting longer and while we’ve still got a way to go, there are signs of spring on the horizon. This means our gardens come to life again and we start seeing colour everywhere; from daffodils by the side of the road, to vases of tulips in our houses.

However, plants and flowers aren’t always good for our feline friends; there are some that are toxic for cats and can make them seriously ill. We want our cats to enjoy their environment and stay safe, so we spoke to The Insurance Emporium for some guidance - they’ve got years of specialist pet insurance behind them, so they are in the best position to give us advice on which plants and flowers are toxic to cats.

Which Plants and Flowers are Toxic to Cats?

• Lillies - These are one of the most poisonous plants for cats; every part of it is toxic; even just brushing against the pollen can be harmful as they can lick it off their fur when grooming themselves. Drinking water from a vase that has lilies in, or just having a small bite of the flower, can result in vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite and, if your cat isn’t treated in time, it can lead to kidney failure, which is often fatal.
• Daffodils - These often signal the arrival of spring, and we love having them in our gardens and homes, they brighten up any room. But they can also be harmful to cats; their bulbs are particularly toxic and ingesting them can cause vomiting and tremors and in some cases arrhythmia.
• Chrysanthemums and Daisies - Mild exposure can cause an upset stomach and skin irritation as they have a natural insecticide, but larger quantities can result in damage to the nervous system, gastrointestinal issues and loss of coordination.
• Aloe Vera - While many of us have aloe in the home for the soothing properties of the gel inside the leaves, the sap can be toxic for cats – particularly if your cat’s a ‘chewer’, and ingesting it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and tremors and, in some cases, kidney problems.

• Tulips and Hyacinths - The bulbs of these plants are particularly toxic, but ingesting the flower, stem or leaves can also cause problems, including an upset stomach, increased heart rate and low blood pressure.
• Rhododendron and Azaleas - These flowers may look good in our gardens when they’re in full bloom, but they’re toxic to cats (and dogs and horses and humans!) They have a neurotoxin that can affect the nervous system and muscles around the heart and even a small amount (just 2% of a cat’s body weight) can have a serious effect.
• Foxglove - Foxgloves can be extremely toxic to cats and ingestion can cause gastrointestinal issues, an irregular heartbeat, convulsions and death if not treated in time.

What are the Signs of Plant Poisoning?

Common symptoms include:

• Gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhoea
• Weakness
• Excessive saliva
• Changes in appetite
• Breathing problems
• Seizures
• Changes in behaviour – pacing etc
• Issues with urination –too little/too much
• Collapse

If you notice these, or any other unusual symptoms, contact your vet as soon as possible, letting them know that you think your cat might have eaten/come into contact with something poisonous. If you can give the vet a sample of the plant or take a photo if you’re unsure what it is, it may help them make a faster diagnosis.

How Can I Make My Garden Safe for My Cat?

It can be difficult to protect your cat as they tend to roam quite far, but you can control what you have in your garden, as well as the plants you have in your home so here are a few things you can do:

• Get to know the plants that can be harmful to cats.
• Keep any tulip/daffodil bulbs away from your cat.
• Clear up any fallen berries etc that may have blown into your garden from a neighbour’s property.
• Cats like chewing grass, it aids their digestion so you could plant cat grass which is designed especially for cats; it might also distract them from chewing other plants in the garden. If they’re chewing a lot, they could just need more stimulation, and you could plant cat nip in your garden.

Which Plants are Safe?

Outdoor plants:

• Buddleia
• Sunflowers
• Cosmos
• Acer
• Magnolia
• Phlox
• Freesias
• Camellia
• Snapdragon
• Stock
• Roses              
• Calathea
• Moneytree
• Orchid
• Maidenhair Fern
• Parlour Palm
• Spider Plant

(There’s a more extensive list here)

It’s worth remembering that cats are smart and they instinctively stay away from plants that are poisonous; often because of the smell, and the severity of the reaction depends on the individual cat and how much it’s been in contact/consumed.

But our cats are part of the family and their safety and wellbeing is important to us, which is why having cat insurance in place could give you peace of mind as it can help protect against unexpected costs.

The Insurance Emporium has a range of cover levels to choose from. Get a quote today with up to 30% discount on new policies, including a 20% Introductory Discount* and 10% Multi-Pet Discount**.  

Visit www.theinsuranceemporium.co.uk/ECAT99 or call their friendly team on 03300 241 523. 

*The 20% Introductory Discount is available from the start of the policy until its first review/renewal date. Policy is subject to change at any time. **The multi-pet discount is either applied at inception of any new pet policies or at renewal of existing pet policies.  

The Insurance Emporium offers a variety of cover levels, so please check the policy cover suits your needs before purchasing. Excesses may apply. For your protection, please ensure you read the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) and policy wording, for information on policy exclusions and limitations.  

Lifestyle Policy Limited is an appointed representative of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited. The Insurance Emporium ® is a trading name of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited (registered in England and Wales no: 294940) which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority no: 202748.