Which Flowers Are Toxic to Cats?

Your pets may show little interest in your indoor plants, but there’s a big difference between that and the monstera you’ve been growing for years in a pot and fun, brightly coloured flowers outside. Garden flowers will often be nice and smelly, not just because of the smell they may make themselves to entire bees and pollinators but because all kinds of wildlife will come into contact with them. Insects will make their homes in and around them, birds will visit to try and get some extra insect protein in their diets. Flower beds are usually bustling with activity which is why your beloved pets might be drawn to them even more than your house plants.  

The seasons play a big role in which flowers and plants you have to keep an eye out for. All flowers have different times of the year when they may bud and bloom, so you should be aware of not just which flowers are and are not toxic to cats but when you may expect to see them around. 

Daffodils are a popular flower to have in and outside your house in spring. As soon as he season rolls around, you will probably notice them popping up everywhere and bunches of them being sold on mass in every grocery shop you visit! As bright and wonderful as they are, they’re bad news for your feline friend. The main factor that causes cats to become unwell when they ingest daffodils is the calcium oxalate crystals that can be found all along the bulb. Cats often aren't the only victims of this, but many gardeners will break out into a rash after planting the bulbs for the very same reason. While the bulb is easily the most toxic part, the whole plant contains lycorine which causes vomiting when ingested, so it’s best to keep clear altogether.  

Poisoning from daffodils is very rarely fatal in cats, so if you think your beloved pet has had a nibble, try not to panic. It’s always best to call your vet as soon as you can to discuss any symptoms and what they recommend, but in most cases, the vomiting and diarrhoea will stop within a day or two at most, and they should return to normal. While it may not be fatal very often, it’s still the job of a good kitty parent to protect their fur babies from any avoidable unpleasantries.  

Tulips are another firm favourite when it comes to brightening up any garden, and they have the added bonus of coming in lots of different colours so you can mix it up. Unfortunately, this playful plant is not so fun for your furry friends if they happen to ingest it. Tulips contain several different allergens, including alkaloids and glycosides that can give your moggy a really poorly tummy. Like many plants, the bulb is the most toxic part, and even though planting them in the garden means putting the most harmful part beneath the soil, cats are experts at digging out things they find interesting.  

Even though the bulb can cause the most harm and has the greatest toxicity, the entire plant contains the same compounds even though it’s less concentrated. That means the entire plant has the potential to cause your cat to become unwell. After ingesting tulips, it’s likely you’ll notice some lethargy, with the most prominent symptoms being gastrointestinal. Vomiting and diarrhoea are common side effects, and you could contact your vet if you notice any symptoms. 

Hyacinths are easily one of the prettiest garden flowers, with so many blooms on each stem, making it appear like you have a whole garden filled with flowers even when you only plant a few. They come in a vast number of colours that many gardeners love to mix together to create a vibrant and fun aesthetic for the garden. Sadly, these impressive looking flowers are toxic to cats. Quite typical of many toxic flowers, the most concentrated and dangerous part is the bulb, but these same irritants run through the whole plant as well. Unlike some other garden flowers, hyacinths can cause your pet to have a bad reaction just from inhaling their scent.  

At first, you may just notice some irritation to the mouth and throat, but eating hyacinths can cause severe gastric issues like bloody stools. Cats will tend to drool after eating these flowers because they cause nausea, and they will usually go off their food and become lethargic. If they eat a large amount, they can also have fits and convulsions, so you should act quickly if you think they have.  

Finding flowers that are not toxic to cats doesn’t have to be a hard task at all, and there are often similar brightly coloured alternatives to ones you should avoid. Just because you want to be the best pet parent you can be and keep your kitty safe doesn’t mean you can’t also make a beautiful and brightly coloured space to enjoy together.  

Freesias are a great springtime alternative if you want something to brighten the garden ready for the start of warmer weather. They’re perfect for the UK’s spring and summer months as they’re super hardy and can grow in relatively cold climates. It means a mid-spring cold snap won’t kill off your beautiful garden, and it will still look great for those warmer days to sit out and enjoy. They come in plenty of different colours, including reds, yellows and purples, so you can really get your garden nice and vibrant while only growing flowers that are not toxic to cats. If you love daffodils but don’t want a poorly cat, they’re easily the way to go.  

If you want something that is going to look as romantic and picture perfect as tulips, why not consider planting some beautiful roses. Not only can these flowers grow so big they take over half of the garden with their beautiful blooms but it’s a hardy plant that won’t die back through the winter. If you nurture a rose bush through the winter, come early summer, the stunning flowers will start to crop up, and you can enjoy them safely with your feline friend. Roses like quite a bit of sun, so be sure to plant them in areas out of the shade, but they can grow large enough to offer some much needed shade to the garden. Flowers vary in shape, size and colour depending on what you go for, so you can really find the best flowers to suit your garden.  

What is a more iconic flower to have in your garden than the stunning sunflower? You can grow sunflowers in your garden without worrying about your cat’s health, and better yet, they grow nice hardy stalks that are robust against your feline friend’s investigating antics! You won’t only be protecting your cat with these flowers, but you can help your local bee population and create a little wild paradise for insects and birds while you’re at it. You also get a free supply of sunflower seeds when the flowers start to die off, which you can cultivate by drying off the heads and taking the seeds for next year’s garden. Any unwanted seeds can be extra bird food, so you’ll quickly become the favourite haunt for birds to visit.  

You can still have a bright, fun-filled garden in the spring and summer months without risking your cat’s wellbeing with these non toxic flowers for cats!