We all love our cats, just like a family member, and no one would want them to become ill. So obviously we wouldn’t do anything to make them sick deliberately. But, it could happen without you being aware of some of the dangers common plants can pose for our furry friends.

If you have a cat that stays indoors, some houseplants, or that bouquet of fresh flowers on the table could make your cat sick. If your cat spends time outside, it’s essential to be aware of some of the plants growing in your area. Some very common flowers can be a culprit to your cat’s sickness.

We’ve gathered 15 common plants that pose a threat to your cat’s health from the ASPCA website. This is only a tiny fraction of the plants listed. You can get a more in-depth look here. They also have toxic plants listed for dogs and horses.

In an emergency, you can reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435

(Note: it’s always a good idea to save this contact, along with your local emergency vet’s number, into your phone.)

1. Apples (Parts; not including the flesh)

Scientific Names: Malus sylvestrus | Family: Rosaceae

Not to worry about your kitty getting a taste of that delicious flesh, which is totally safe. It’s the stems, leaves, and seeds that are the concern. They contain cyanide. If you or a neighbor has an apple tree in their yard, you should be aware that apples that have fallen from the tree.

2. Aloe

Scientific Names: Aloe vera | Family: Liliaceae

Aloe plants are common for people to have both indoor and outdoor, and they help people with burns of all types. So they are handy to have around. But for your cat, if it ingests it, it will lead to vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea.

3. Azaleas

Scientific Names: Rhododendron spp | Family: Ericaceae

Azaleas can be found all over peoples’ and public gardens. Unfortunately, they can cause vomiting and even cardiac failure in cats. Also, the very closely related, Rhododendron, has the same toxicity. Keep your cats away!

4. Lilies

Scientific Names: Lilium species | Family: Liliaceae

These flowers have a bad rap for how toxic they are for cats. Every part of the flower and even the water captured in the vase can cause kidney failure. Even coming in contact with the pollen can prove to be deadly. You really need to watch out for these flowers.

5. Chamomile

Scientific Names: Anthemis nobilis | Family: Compositae

Chamomile is another very common plant that flowers in the summer months. Although we drink chamomile tea for relaxation, it’s poisonous for our cats. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and ‘bleeding tendencies.’

6. Daffodils

Scientific Names: Narcissus spp | Family: Amaryllidaceae

The ASPCA explains that the bulbs of the daffodils are the most toxic. Vomiting, salvation, diarrhea; large ingestions cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias are the clinical signs developed by ingestion.

7. Daisies

Scientific Names: Chrysanthemum species | Family: Compositae

These flowers grow in abundance everywhere. They can induce vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, incoordination, and dermatitis in your cat.

8. Geranium

Scientific Names: Pelargonium species | Family: Geraniaceae

Geraniums are flowers that are quite common to gardeners. They can often be seen in hanging baskets and planted in yards cause they are beautiful. For cats, they are toxic. Vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis are clinical signs they have ingested the flower.

9. Gladiola

Scientific Names: Gladiolus species | Family: Iridaceae

Gladiolas, like daffodils, the most toxic part are the bulbs. Watch out, if your cat loves to dig. These flowers can cause salivation, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and diarrhea.

10. Tulips

Scientific Names: Tulipa spp. | Family: Liliaceae

Very popular with Instagram, you can see fields of blooming tulips across the world. Popular in photos but, certainly not with cats. Also, containing the highest concentration of toxin in its bulb, they can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, and hypersalivation if ingested.

11. Sago Palm

Scientific Names: Cycas revoluta, zamia species | Family: Cycadaceae

These beautiful palms can be found adorning a garden or even a pot inside a home. But they can host a myriad of toxic symptoms if ingested by your cat, including vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, and even death.

12. Oleander

Scientific Names: Nerium oleander | Family: Apocynaceae

In the case of oleander, it’s toxic for both humans and animals. The flower and the spiky leaves all contain toxins that could induce drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea, colic, depression, and death if ingested.

13. Rhubarb

Scientific Names: Rheum rhabarbarium | Family: Polygonaceae

Rhubarb, also known as the “pie plant,” is a delicious treat for humans. Unfortunately, for cats its not enjoyable at all. In fact, it’s toxins can cause kidney failure, tremors, and salivation. Human-only food.

14. Mistletoe (American)

Scientific Names: Phoradendron flavescens | Family: Viscaceae

Mistletoe is often associated with the holidays, and it inspires a tradition of kissing someone if two people find themselves standing underneath the plant. No kisses for cats with this one. It can bring on symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure (rare), difficulty breathing, and a low heart rate.

15. Chives

Scientific Names: Allium schoenoprasum | Family: Amaryllidaceae

Chives as we know them, are delicious herbs we cook with or to garnish a dish for a finishing touch. For cats, they are poison. Vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia), blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, or panting are signs that your cat has ingested them.

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Source: ASPCA, iheartcats