Which Flowers Are Safe for Cats?

Which Flowers Are Safe for Cats?

Roses, sunflowers, snapdragons, zinnias, gerbera daisies, celosia and Phalaenopsis orchids are all on the ASPCA's list of plants that are non-toxic to cats. True lilies and daylilies are the ones to keep out of the house entirely. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the whole lily plant is toxic to cats, including the stem, leaves, flowers, pollen and even the water in the vase.

The ASPCA's toxic list is longer than the usual warning about lilies, tulips and daffodils. It also names peonies, dahlias, ranunculus (listed as buttercup), hellebore, hydrangea, chrysanthemums, carnations and eucalyptus, which covers a large share of what goes into a garden-style bouquet. A few popular stems, including lisianthus, anemone and scabiosa, do not appear on either the toxic or the non-toxic list. This guide sorts common bouquet flowers into those three groups, explains why lilies are in a category of their own, and shows how to order a bouquet for a home with cats.

What does "cat-safe" mean for a flower?

A cat-safe flower is one the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists as non-toxic to cats, meaning it is not expected to cause poisoning if a cat chews it. That is a narrower promise than it sounds. The ASPCA notes that eating any plant material, even from a plant that is not known to be toxic, may cause vomiting and stomach upset. 

So "safe" means "not poisonous," and a curious cat can still get an upset stomach from a rose petal. It also means the ASPCA has reviewed the plant. Flowers that are missing from both lists have no verdict either way.

Which common bouquet flowers are on the ASPCA non-toxic list?

These cut flowers appear in the non-toxic section of the ASPCA's plant list for cats:

  • Roses
  • Sunflowers
  • Snapdragons
  • Zinnias
  • Gerbera daisies
  • Celosia, including the plumed and cockscomb types
  • Phalaenopsis orchids, also called moth orchids
  • Alstroemeria, listed as Peruvian lily
  • Bachelor's buttons, also called cornflower
  • China aster
  • Camellia

Alstroemeria deserves one extra line. The FDA explains that Peruvian lily is not a true lily and does not cause kidney failure in cats, though eating a large amount can cause mild stomach upset.

Several kitchen herbs are on the non-toxic list too, including basil, rosemary, sage, thyme and dill. They make good filler in a home arrangement. 

Which popular flowers are toxic to cats?

The ASPCA lists all of these as toxic to cats:

  • Lilies and daylilies
  • Tulips
  • Daffodils, narcissus and paperwhites
  • Hyacinths
  • Chrysanthemums, which the ASPCA lists together with daisies and mums
  • Carnations and sweet William
  • Peonies
  • Dahlias
  • Ranunculus, listed under buttercup
  • Hellebore, also sold as Lenten rose or Christmas rose
  • Hydrangea
  • Larkspur and delphinium
  • Iris and gladiolus
  • Amaryllis
  • Eucalyptus, lavender and yarrow

"Toxic" covers a wide range. Lilies can cause fatal kidney failure, according to the FDA. The ASPCA list itself does not rank plants by severity, so a veterinarian or a poison hotline is the right place to ask how serious an exposure is. 

The practical point for anyone who loves garden-style flowers is that the romantic, ruffled look leans heavily on this list. A spring bouquet of tulips, ranunculus and hellebore, or a September bouquet built around dahlias, is beautiful and is also made almost entirely of flowers the ASPCA flags for cats.

Why are lilies so much more dangerous than other flowers?

Lilies are different because a tiny exposure can do permanent damage. The FDA warns that lilies in the "true lily" and "daylily" families are very dangerous for cats, and it names Easter lilies, Asiatic lilies, Oriental lilies, Stargazer lilies, tiger lilies and daylilies among them. According to the agency, a cat can be harmed by licking a few pollen grains off its fur while grooming or by drinking water from the vase

The FDA describes a fast timeline. In the first 12 hours, a cat may become less active, drool, vomit and lose its appetite. Signs of kidney damage begin around 12 to 24 hours, and kidney failure follows within 24 to 72 hours. The agency states that treatment delayed by 18 hours or more generally results in irreversible kidney failure.

Dogs react differently. The FDA says dogs that eat lilies may have minor stomach upset but do not develop kidney failure.

Not every plant with "lily" in its name belongs to this group. The FDA explains that peace lilies and calla lilies contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and throat, with signs that usually resolve on their own. Lily of the valley is a separate danger, because its toxins can cause abnormal heart rhythms in both cats and dogs.

What about lisianthus, anemones and other flowers that are not listed?

Lisianthus, anemone, scabiosa, stock, freesia and poppies do not appear in either section of the ASPCA's plant list for cats. A missing entry is not a clean bill of health. It means there is no published ASPCA verdict to rely on. 

For a cat that ignores plants, an unlisted flower on a high shelf is a reasonable choice. For a cat that chews everything green, stick with flowers from the non-toxic list and ask the florist to leave unlisted stems out. 

How do you order a bouquet for a home with cats?

Tell the florist there is a cat in the home before anything else. At shops that sell designer's choice bouquets, the florist picks the stems unless told otherwise.

A few requests make the order clear:

  • Ask for no lilies of any kind. This is the request that matters most.
  • Ask for flowers from the ASPCA non-toxic list, and name a few favorites such as roses, snapdragons or zinnias.
  • Ask about the greenery. Eucalyptus is on the toxic list, so request a different green.
  • If the bouquet is a gift, mention the cat in the order notes so the recipient does not have to wonder. 

Roots to Petals in Oakmont lists two options on its website: a cat friendly hand-wrapped bouquet and a cat friendly arrangement that comes in a vase. The shop describes both as garden-inspired designs curated to avoid blooms on the ASPCA cat-toxic list, with locally grown specialty flowers in season. The shop's About page also states that it does not use lilies in its arrangements. For the general style, the shop's guide to choosing a garden-style bouquet explains what garden-style means.

What should you do if your cat chews a flower?

Call a veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away, and do not wait for symptoms if the flower might be a lily. The FDA advises bringing the plant, or a photo of it, to the clinic so staff can identify it. 

Two hotlines answer calls around the clock:

  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435. The ASPCA notes that a consultation fee may apply.
  • Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661. Its website lists an $89 fee per incident.

While waiting for advice, move the bouquet and its vase water out of the cat's reach. 

FAQ

Are roses toxic to cats?

No. Roses are in the non-toxic section of the ASPCA's plant list for cats. Thorns can still scratch a mouth or paw, so stripping them is a kind extra step.

Are peonies safe for cats?

Peonies are on the ASPCA's list of plants toxic to cats. Keep them in a room the cat does not use, or choose garden roses for a similar full, ruffled look.

Are orchids safe for cats?

Phalaenopsis orchids, the moth orchids sold in most shops, are listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA.

Are tulips toxic to cats?

Yes. Tulips are on the ASPCA's list of plants toxic to cats, along with daffodils and hyacinths.

Is lily pollen really dangerous if the cat never eats the flower?

Yes. The FDA states that a cat can be harmed by licking a few pollen grains off its fur while grooming, and that the vase water is toxic as well. Cutting the pollen-bearing anthers off a lily does not make the rest of the plant safe. 

Which houseplants are safe for cats?

Prayer plants, calathea, Boston ferns, spider plants, parlor palms, peperomia and African violets are all on the ASPCA's non-toxic list for cats. Pothos, monstera, peace lilies, snake plants, jade plants and aloe are on the toxic list. The shop's guides to the best house plants for Pittsburgh homes and apartments and to choosing houseplants at a plant store cover light and care.

Cat-Friendly Flowers From Roots to Petals in Oakmont

Roots to Petals is an independent, woman-owned florist and plant studio at 527 Allegheny Avenue in Oakmont. The shop designs garden-style bouquets with locally grown flowers in season, takes custom requests by phone, and offers cat-friendly bouquets and arrangements online. The Plant Studio stocks houseplants, and staff can help match a plant to a home's light and lifestyle. Pickup is available at the studio, and delivery covers Oakmont, Verona, Fox Chapel, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill and the other towns on the shop's delivery areas page.

Visit Roots to Petals or call 412-822-6023 today. Contact us for more information.

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