Plants Cats Should Avoid

There are dangers lurking in the shadows, and it’s not the cats themselves. ;)

Spring in Colorado is magical. Bulbs push up their leaves, and then stems topped with fantastical flowers. Greenery starts to emerge from winter-rested roots of perennials. Leaves pop out along the branches of shrubs. Buds form flowers along the branches of fruit trees, ready to pop open into the waiting arms of the bees. 

“What does this have to do with cats,” you might ask. While most animals are pretty savvy about which plants they can eat and which they want to avoid, you’ve heard the expression “curiosity killed the cat.” Cats can be nosy or want to play with something that’s moving in the wind or looks fascinating. This means they may catch and chew on a plant that they shouldn’t. To be on the safe side, plan to to keep your kitties from roaming and playing with the plants we discuss below.

Some of the common plants we grow outdoors in Colorado are toxic to kitties, though not necessarily to dogs, humans or other critters. This list is not exhaustive. You will find more detailed information, including indoor plants, at the ASPCA’s webpage of toxic and non-toxic plants for kitties.

Many plants in the family Liliaceae (lily) are toxic to cats. While you should be careful with any plant that has “lily” in its common name, other plants such as tulips and hyacinth are also included in this family. Surprisingly, hyacinth is not in the Hyacinthaceae family, but the adorable grape hyacinth is, and is one to keep your cats away from. Daffodil/Narcissus are also no-nos.

The following list includes common perennial plant choices in Colorado that are not good for cats: chrysanthemum, clematis, foxglove, hellebore, larkspur, lavender, milkweed, peony, primrose, ranunculus/buttercup, rose, scented geranium, sweet William, St. John’s wort, vinca, yarrow and yucca.

Cat-toxic annuals often used in Colorado summer plantings include asparagus fern, coleus, dahlia, geranium, hosta, hydrangea, kalanchoe, lantana, lobelia, moss roses (portulaca), morning glory,

While humans consume many plants, cats are meat eaters and should not be fed a vegetarian diet. As we said earlier, cats are curious, so they may take a taste of foods other than meaty offerings. Don’t offer your cat anything in the onion family (leeks, green onions, garlic, etc.) or herbs including chamomile, lemon verbena, lovage, marjoram, mint, nasturtium, oregano, parsley, sorrel, and tarragon. Other plants edible to humans that cats should avoid are rhubarb, tomato, and fruits such as apricots, plums, peaches, cherries, grapefruit, lemon, limes, and oranges.

If you think your cat has ingested something from the ASPCA’s toxic plant list, you can call your vet for help or start by calling the ASPCA’s hotline 24/7 at (888) 426-4435. (Charges may apply.)

Before you bring a new plant into your home or garden, consider researching specific indoor and outdoor plants to be sure that you are creating a safe haven for your cat.