Did you know that certain plants, when ingested, could actually kill your cat? The saying “curiosity kills the cat” could not have been truer if you learn about these plants. Kittens are in the habit of being extra curious and tend to nibble on whatever they find. This habit can turn out to be dangerous if your home happens to have some of the most toxic plants for cats.

Some of the most toxic plants for cats are as follows:

1. Lilies
All species of lilies, including tiger lilies, daylilies, and Easter lilies, are found to be highly toxic for kittens and can result in acute kidney failure. Every part of the plant, including the pollen, leaves, stem, or petals, is dangerous. If you feel your cat may have ingested even a tiny amount of this, you should get in touch with your vet right away.

2. Daffodils/Tulips/Hyacinths
Ingesting different parts of these plants is known to trigger stomach disorders in cats, but the bulbs of these plants are perhaps the worst in terms of inducing toxicity. All the Amaryllidaceae family members, including several popular spring blooms, are known to be amongst the most toxic plants for cats. They can cause respiratory problems and cardiac arrhythmia.

3. Autumn Crocus
Also called meadow saffron, this is a regular ornamental flower that homeowners love to purchase for decorating their homes. But this plant is poisonous to dogs, horses, and even cats. Cats that have ingested this plant show signs like vomiting, drooling, and bloody diarrhea, seizures, breathing trouble, liver damage, and kidney damage.

4. Sago Palms
Sago palms look like real palms but are cycads. They are believed to be highly toxic for cats, and if kittens chew on their leaves, they can experience acute liver damage. Related cycads such as cardboard palms should be avoided equally because their seeds are very toxic.

5. Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Azaleas and Rhododendrons are flowering shrubs that can be very dangerous for cats. The extent of toxicity can vary from moderate to acute because of their toxic component called grayanotoxins. Cats can get poisoned if they consume any part of this plant. The most common symptoms are tremors, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, heart arrhythmia, seizures, temporary blindness, and coma.

6. Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia, or dumb cane, is a common houseplant that has insoluble crystals of calcium oxalate. These, when ingested, can trigger oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, a burning feeling inside the mouth, and difficulty in swallowing.

7. Oleander
This popular outdoor shrub is common in warm climates and has cardiac glycoside toxins. These can damage the heart muscles. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, seizures, tremors, and heart abnormalities. All the parts of these plants are toxic for cats, even the water that holds the flowers inside a vase.

8. Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe is another popular houseplant and is also called the devil’s backbone, chandelier plant, or the mother-in-law plant. But all of their parts contain toxins known as bufadienolides that may trigger gastrointestinal problems. Common symptoms of poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, and drooling. The symptoms can get worse, resulting in seizures and heart arrhythmia if cats ingest a large amount of this plant.