Plants Poisonous to Cats/Kittens
Indoor Plants
Cats and especially kittens do have a way of getting into everything, so it is imperative to know some of the poison plants for cats. In your eyes, your decorative house plants are meant to enhance your living space. To a cat, these same plants are tempting snacks. Cats have a habit of testing new things by tasting them. First, the cat might sniff at a leaf or two, then rub against the plant or bat it with a paw. Next he may take a leaf into his mouth to find out what the green thing growing in the fancy litter box is all about. If the plant is harmless, there is no problem, but if it’s on the list of poison plants for cats, your cat could be in for some serious trouble.
| Plant Common Name | Effects/Symptoms |
| Amaryllis | Stomach and intestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea) |
| Azalea | Incoordination, trembling, collapse |
| Cactus | Punctures skin, infection |
| Caladium | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking head, difficulty breathing |
| Creeping Charlie | Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, cramps |
| Easter Lily | All parts can cause kidney failure |
| Dieffenbachia | Affects central nervous system |
| Ivy | Vomiting, diarrhea, excitable behavior |
| Mistletoe | Ingesting berries can cause vomiting, diarrhea, blistering in the mouth, difficulty breathing |
| Philodendron | Same as Caladium |
| Poinsettia | Same as Mistletoe |
How Do You Keep Your Cats Out of the Plants?
The easiest way to keep your cat and your plants separated is to hang the plants out of reach. Shelves are good, but you have to make sure that there is no way your acrobatic feline can find its way to the top of that shelf. Pet stores also sell repellants you can spray on the plants. The repellants are both harmless to the plant and the cat but will definitely leave a bad taste in your cat’s mouth if the cat tries to chew on a leaf. If you don’t want to spend money on commercial repellants, try a little cayenne pepper sprinkled on the leaves.