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Spring has actually sprung—and now is the very best time to be knowledgeable about the flowers harmful to cats. While there are some flowers that more than likely will not offer your cat any issues if they have a little nibble, there are others that can trigger significant concerns merely from direct exposure (houseplants, too).
So, which flowers are harmful to cats? If you’re intending on including some spring flowers in your house or garden, make certain to prevent these 5 if you’re a cat parent.
1. Daffodils
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As spring rolls in, it may be appealing to show some daffodils on your cooking area counter or utilize them to cheer up your garden, however these yellow flowers and cats do not get along. Even taking simply a couple of bites of the leaves, stems, or bulbs of this flower can trigger throwing up, diarrhea, and drooling in cats. If a great deal of the plant is consumed, your cat might experience serious conditions such as seizures and heart rhythm problems—so it’s finest to keep daffodils by far.
RELATED: Is Cat Palm Safe for Cats?
2. Lilies
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Lilies are another traditional spring flower, and while they may look quite, the results they have on cats are anything however. All parts of the lily are extremely dangerous to cats if ingested, but even just sniffing them or drinking the water from their vase can cause poisoning. In severe cases, lily poisoning can cause kidney failure along with vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. Because of their very high toxicity, lilies should never be used in cat-occupied homes or gardens.
3. Tulips
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Although a beloved flower by many, tulips need to stay far away from cats. While a teeny bite of a tulip probably wouldn’t be too big of a concern, if your cat decides to eat a large portion of the flower or the bulb, they could be poisoned. Symptoms of tulip poisoning are similar to those of other flower poisoning: vomiting, mouth irritation, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing.
4. Daisies
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Like tulips, daisies aren’t the most toxic flower to cats—but that doesn’t mean they’re 100-percent safe. If your cat ingests more than one or two flowers, they’re likely to experience vomiting and diarrhea. Although mild daisy poisoning is likely to clear up in a matter of days, you’ll still want to keep these flowers away from your cat so they don’t experience any adverse results.
RELATED: Are Orchids Poisonous to Cats?
5. Hydrangeas
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Hydrangeas can take many forms through their about 260 species—and ingesting any part of the plant can trigger vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea in cats. Hydrangea poisoning, however, is rare because your cat would have to eat a lot of the plant to experience serious effects. If your cat’s an explorer and likes to wander outside, plant hydrangeas in a secure place they can’t get to, or keep them out of the garden entirely and opt for cat-safe plants instead.
What To Do If Your Cat Eats a Toxic Flower
If your cat eats a toxic flower, or you suspect they may have eaten a toxic flower, it’s best to contact your veterinarian. Renee Schmid, DVM, DABVT, DABT, veterinary toxicologist and manager of veterinary medicine and professional services at Pet Poison Helpline, says it’s essential to contact a professional, as there isn’t much that can be done at home when it comes to treating poisoning from a toxic flower or plant.
“A lot of times we will want to try and get these cats to vomit and to see if we can get some of that plant material back, and unfortunately there’s no safe way to induce throwing up in cats at home or outside of a clinic,” Schmid says. “There’s prescription medications that are only available that have to be given by a veterinarian in order to try and get cats to vomit.”
If you can’t contact with your vet, Schmid says your next best bet is to contact a pet poison control center such as the Pet Poison Helpline or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for next steps.
RELATED: 16 Houseplants to Avoid if You Have Cats
Flowers Safe for Cats
Even though some flowers are bad for cats—there are safer plants and flowers out there so you do not need to quit your spring flowers totally.
