Best Houseplants Safe for Cats & Plants to Avoid

Which cats are at risk?

Most cats are picky eaters and careful what they eat, so poisoning is not common in cats. Kittens and young, investigating cats are generally more at risk, especially if these cats do not come outside. A (young) cat often starts to nibble plants out of boredom. Therefore, remove all poisonous plants from a cat that is trapped in a run or indoors.

A cat that comes outside usually has better things to do than nibble on plants. However, a free-running cat can accidentally ingest poisonous tree needles or seeds if, for example, they are stuck in their fur. When washing, the cat can then eat these needles or seeds.

A cat is not a herbivore!

Every plant, even (cat) grass, has an irritating effect in your cat’s gastrointestinal tract, which can cause the animal to vomit. However, if he gets the chance, your cat will love to keep nibbling on grass. If there is no grass, he turns to other, less suitable plants. He prefers to select tender stems and leaves and makes no exception for poisonous plants. The Dieffenbachia is especially dangerous for the cat.

Prevention at home

Remove all potentially dangerous house plants in the house to prevent any unnecessary risk. Especially kittens and cats that do not come outside are at extra risk. Below is a list of houseplants that are unsuitable for your cat.

Prevention outdoors

Outside it is more difficult to protect your cat from dangerous plants. A cat that walks around freely enters all kinds of gardens and it is impossible to protect your cat against all plants outside. You can at least try to reduce the risk by removing the most dangerous plants in your own garden and check with the neighbors to find out if there are many poisonous plants there. If necessary, write down the (Latin) names of those plants; this list may come in handy if your cat shows signs of poisoning.

When purchasing new plants, choose species that are safe for your cat. When gardening, never leave pruning waste or excavated plants in places where your pet can reach. Your cat may want to taste a bite out of curiosity. Vegetable juice in crushed stems is irritating and often toxic. Bulbs, roots and rhizomes are among the most toxic parts of many plants.

What are the signs of poisoning?

Consult a veterinarian immediately if your cat suddenly becomes unwell, frequently vomits, has severe diarrhea or has severe irritation of the skin and mucous membranes around the mouth and throat (red, swollen, blistering or rough skin). A cat that is listless and eats little or no food for a day or more can also be the victim of poisoning and needs help.

If your cat has eaten something that is potentially toxic, do not try to make him vomit. Take your cat to the vet and take a sample of the plant and if possible a name plate of the plant. This helps your veterinarian to start treatment as quickly as possible and to give you an antidote. Note the time of ingestion of the poisonous plant and a description of the symptoms that occur.

Skin irritation

People who gardening are fortunately more often only affected by skin irritation than by real poisoning. The contact with leaves, stems or sap of certain plants can cause itching or a hypersensitivity to sunlight that leads to skin burns. The same plants can cause blisters or mouth and gum irritation in your cat.

These symptoms sometimes lead incorrectly to the diagnosis of gum disease (gingivitis). Sneezing and eye problems can also result from contact with these plants. This type of physical reaction also occurs with contact with the leaves of all kinds of plants from the vegetable garden, such as the tomato plant, strawberry, rhubarb, parsnip, carrot, celery, pumpkin, zucchini and cucumber.

The geranium and primula leaves can also irritate the skin and mucous membranes. The leaves or sap of plants that are toxic when ingested can also cause irritation on contact with the skin. See the list below for an overview of plants with potentially irritating effects.

Poisonous plants for cats list

The list below gives an overview of plants that may be toxic or life-threatening when taken by your cat. Often the fruits or seeds in particular are harmful. Contact with certain plants on this list can cause skin irritation. These plants are marked with an asterisk (*). The list below includes plants that may also be known to you for their toxicity (for example, cherry cherry, with extremely poisonous berries), but also plants that you might not expect here, such as the daffodil (with a poisonous flower bulb).

As a cat owner you may be shocked by the large number of common plants in the list, but rest assured: many poisonous plants have a dirty, bitter taste that will deter your cat from getting a harmful amount of poison. Woody garden plants also pose a limited risk, your cat will be more likely to be seduced by a tender (poisonous) houseplant.