Gardens, and plant toxicity

I've not had a toxicity problem from cats eating plants, or things they shouldn't, but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen (potentially Lily picked up her case of giardia from eating something she shouldn't have, but that was unlikely to have been a plant per se - grass with some other animal's poo on it possibly ). So let's discuss toxicity, because sadly your local garden centre won't when you are happily picking out your next purchases.

Plants, and Weeds

There is a really large list of plants that are potentially toxic to animals.  For the most part, puppies are more likely to suffer than cats, or kittens, because they are more likely to chew on things.

However, whenever I see one of these lists I am torn by two competing thoughts.  First, mild panic, as I think how many are in my garden.  Really, it's a poison pit masquerading as a pleasant place to have a cup of tea.  My cats are on borrowed time.

Then, fatalism. While it's possible the cats could decide to eat some of the plants, they haven't yet, and show no interest in vegetarianism. So que sera sera? It's a dangerous sort of thinking; predicting the likelihood of a future event based on whether it has happened already.  My cats haven't been poisoned yet, therefore they will not be poisoned in the future sort of thinking.  Not very clever thinking. 

So is there a list of plants that you should really worry about?

I think so.  The nature of cats (or dogs) to lick their own fur, makes plants with toxic saps or pollens much more dangerous than those where the animal has to ingest them.  It's a lurking danger, where you would never see the evidence of chewed stalks, leaves or bulbs to be able to diagnose what poison your pet has ingested (and therefore point to any specific antidotes or supportive care by your vet).

Foxglove - digitalis is just a straight out old school poison.  You wouldn't leave a bowl of bleach or drain cleaner out for your pets, or children, so personally I won't grow foxgloves.

Plants that have toxic sap, or pollen are the biggest problem for cats. Anything that sticks to their fur, or feet, will be ingested.

Lilies, the genus Hemerocallis , and Lilium particularly the Asiatic, Easter, and Tiger lilies have been banished from my garden.  Mostly because the pollen is toxic.  So while I don't feel that cats eating the leaves, flowers or bulbs is a huge threat (although if they should do so, these are really dangerous plants), but simply wandering around the garden and passing by close enough to have some pollen drop on them can be fatal.  Calla, and arum lilies (Zantedeschia) aren't nearly as dangerous, being more of a mouth irritant,  requiring the cat to chew on the leaves to be affected, so I am happy to leave them in place.

Swan plant.  We're encouraged to bring into the garden to host monarch butterflies, but is not welcome in my cat garden.  I do grow it, but in the areas not inhabited by the cats.

Aloe Vera.  Contains a bunch of components in it's gel that are toxic to cats.

Chamomiles, daisies - again, those lovely 'natural' oils that are loved these days, are of course chemicals. Volatile oils, and pyrethrins that are easily transferred to feet and fur, and into your cat.  Having a few of these in your garden probably won't be a problem, but a chamomile lawn, or large daisies where their heads might brush on a passing cat would not be advisable.

I would be particularly careful about having pyrethrum daisies around, they are toxic and I think the risk is too great - not just from a one off exposure but from repeated small doses.

If you have plenty of nice grasses for your cat to get its green fix for the day, and are careful of where you plant those things that might be bad for cats, you can sleep easy.  But be very wary of those that are known to be very toxic, and particularly those with saps or pollens that can brush onto your cat's coat.