Plants and flowers safe for cats: A full list
Giving someone flowers can be a beautiful and stylish way to demonstrate your love. There are hundreds of different varieties to customize a bouquet to a loved one's taste.
When curating the picture-perfect arrangement, the last thing you might consider is a pet's health. But, flowers can pose problems for our furry friends ? particularly cats.
Many flowers and plants deemed safe for humans are toxic for cats, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). So, before you buy flowers for your next big occasion, here's a rundown on some cat-friendly alternatives.
Cat-safe flowers
According to PetMD, there are several popular cat-friendly flowers, including:
Alstroemeria
Asters
Freesia
Gerbera daisies
Lisianthus
Orchids
Roses
Snapdragon
Statice
Sunflowers
Wax flower
Are roses toxic to cats?
Ingesting any flower could lead to a mild upset stomach, but roses are not considered extremely toxic for cats, according to the ASPCA.
The main concern is a rose's thorns. If a cat were to eat or chew a rose's stem, it could cause injuries to the mouth or paws. Floral stems can also get stuck in a cat's throat, causing a gastrointestinal obstruction.
What flowers are poisonous to cats?
Similar to humans, cats can have allergies to plants that cause irritation to the skin, mouth and stomach, PetMD reports. In some cases, they can lead to more drastic impacts, such as kidney or heart damage.
There are countless flowers categorized as poisonous to cats. The best way to determine whether or not something is safe for your pet is to consult the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant list.
Here are some common flowers that are toxic to cats:
Amaryllis
Daffodils
Oleander
Lillies
Peace Lilies
Tulips
Chrysanthemums
Cyclamen
Azaleas
Rhododendrons
Toxin concentration levels vary depending on the type and part of the flower, PetMD reports. It's safe to assume any plant labeled as "toxic" is off-limits for decoration.
My cat ate a plant, what should I do?
Typically, cats experience inflammation or irritation – such as eye swelling or skin redness – when exposed to irritants like flowers. However, if a cat ingests a plant, this can cause more serious complications, including vomiting and diarrhea.
If your cat experiences any of the following symptoms, contact your veterinarian and seek immediate medical attention:
Trouble breathing
Drooling
Difficulty swallowing
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Increased thirst
Excessive urination
Irregular heartbeat
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are roses toxic to cats? A full list of cat-safe flowers and plants
