10 Dangerous Houseplants Cats Frequently Chew — Including Pothos

Emergency/ToxicityQ&AMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

This veterinary guide covers 10 household plants that are deadly to cats, focusing on lilies and arums, and provides information on poisoning symptoms, emergency care, and safe alternative plants.

What Are Houseplants Dangerous to Cats?

Illustration of a pet owner rescuing a cat from a dangerous potted plant

Houseplants that are dangerous to cats are those containing toxic substances in their leaves, stems, roots, or pollen, which can cause poisoning symptoms such as oral irritation, vomiting, and kidney failure if licked or chewed. The most hazardous are lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis). Every part of these plants—including leaves, petals, stamens, and pollen—is considered toxic. Even without directly eating leaves or stems, licking just a small amount or pollen can lead to acute kidney injury. Symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, and lethargy typically begin within 6 to 12 hours of exposure. If treatment is delayed, the condition can progress to acute kidney failure, which can be fatal. Araceae family plants, such as pothos, dieffenbachia, and philodendron, also embed calcium oxalate crystals in the mouth, causing pain and drooling, and rarely, laryngeal edema that can make breathing difficult.

Why Do Cats Chew on Plants?

Cats are drawn to chew on plant leaves due to their curiosity, boredom, or the scent of grass. Wild cats have an instinct to vomit hairballs by eating grass, and this behavior persists in domestic cats. The problem is that most houseplants are ornamental exotic species, which conflicts with their natural dietary instincts and safety. Accidents often occur when new plants are brought home, when owners move plants around, or when fallen leaves roll on the floor, triggering their curiosity. Kittens and indoor-only cats are at higher risk.

Comparison of 10 Common Household Dangerous Plants

Item	Toxic Part / Component	Risk Level
Lily (Lilium spp.)	Whole plant + pollen + vase water	Fatal
Daylily (Hemerocallis)	Whole plant + pollen	Fatal
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)	Whole plant (cardiac glycosides)	Fatal
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)	Leaves & stems (calcium oxalate)	Moderate
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia spp.)	Leaves & stems (calcium oxalate)	Moderate to Severe
Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)	Leaves & stems (calcium oxalate)	Moderate
Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)	Leaves & stems (calcium oxalate)	Moderate
Anthurium (Anthurium spp.)	Leaves & flowers (calcium oxalate)	Mild to Moderate
Caladium (Caladium spp.)	Whole plant (calcium oxalate)	Moderate
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)	Leaves & flowers (calcium oxalate) — not a true lily	Mild to Moderate

Oxalate = calcium oxalate crystals. True lilies (Lilium, Hemerocallis) lead directly to kidney failure and require immediate emergency care.

Why Are Lilies So Dangerous?

Lilies (including the Lilium and Hemerocallis genera) are uniquely nephrotoxic to cats. Although the exact toxic compounds and mechanisms of action remain unknown, even minimal exposure can be dangerous; acute kidney injury can occur from merely licking pollen, without directly ingesting leaves or stems. Within 6 to 12 hours of exposure, cats typically exhibit vomiting, loss of appetite, and lethargy, followed by signs of acute kidney injury such as fluctuating urine output (polyuria, oliguria, or anuria), dehydration, and uremia. If treatment is delayed beyond 18 hours after exposure, the condition usually progresses to acute renal failure, making recovery difficult. All types, including tiger lilies, Asiatic lilies, Japanese show lilies, stargazer lilies, and daylilies, pose the same risk, so all varieties should be removed from the home regardless of species.

Illustration of lily family plants that are deadly to cats

Go to the Emergency Room Now — Don’t Hesitate If You See These Signs

If you notice any signs that your pet has licked lily leaves, flowers, or pollen, take them to a 24-hour veterinary clinic immediately, even if no symptoms are present. Starting treatment, such as intravenous fluids, as soon as possible after exposure—and no later than 18 hours—significantly improves the chances of recovery. If treatment is delayed beyond 18 hours, the risk of progressing to acute kidney failure increases substantially. A decrease or cessation of urine output indicates a poor prognosis, so do not hesitate to seek care, even in the middle of the night. Seek immediate veterinary attention if you observe any of the following signs: sudden excessive drooling, persistent pawing at the mouth due to discomfort, repeated vomiting, staggering or seizures, no urination for more than 24 hours, or difficulty breathing with a purple discoloration of the tongue.

Poisoning Symptom Checklist

Symptoms vary depending on the type of plant. If you notice two or more of the following signs, seek veterinary care immediately. - Oral irritation: After chewing plants in the Araceae family (such as peace lilies or philodendrons), pets may paw at their mouths and drool excessively. - Vomiting and loss of appetite: These symptoms typically begin 6 to 12 hours after exposure to lilies. - Changes in urine output: After lily exposure, increased urination may progress to a sudden decrease in urine output or complete absence of urination. - Neurological signs: Staggering, tremors, and seizures can occur in some cats exposed to lilies, while dilated pupils are associated with lily of the valley poisoning. - Difficulty breathing: Plants in the Araceae family, such as dieffenbachia, can rarely cause laryngeal edema, leading to breathing difficulties. - Tongue and gum color: Purple or blue discoloration indicates an emergency.

Illustration of a cat showing signs of poisoning

Emergency Care — What You Must Never Do at Home

Do not induce vomiting at home before heading to the clinic. Administering human-grade saltwater or hydrogen peroxide can further damage the esophagus, which is already irritated by oxalate crystals, and may lead to aspiration pneumonia. Instead, gently wipe any leaf fragments from the mouth with soft gauze and offer a couple of sips of water to help dilute oral irritation. If possible, bring a photo of the chewed plant, a leaf sample, and an estimate of when the ingestion occurred to the clinic. Providing the exact plant species during the examination is crucial for speeding up treatment.

Prevention — 4 Principles for Living with Potted Plants

1) Keep true lilies, daylilies, and lily of the valley out of your home—politely decline floral bouquets as gifts. 2) Isolate Araceae family plants: place pothos, philodendron, and monstera in ceiling-hung pots or separate rooms where cats cannot reach them. 3) Immediately clean up fallen leaves and petals; if the vase contains lily water, discard it right away. 4) Provide safe alternative plants such as cat grass (oat sprouts), catnip, Boston ferns, and gerberas to redirect your cat’s curiosity.

Illustration of safe litter box placement for cats

Plants with Similar Names but Different Species — Don’t Get Confused

Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are not true lilies despite their name; they belong to the Araceae family. While they lack the severe nephrotoxicity associated with true lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis), they contain oxalate crystals that can cause oral pain and vomiting. Similarly, calla lilies (Zantedeschia) are also in the Araceae family and do not cause kidney failure, but they can cause significant oral irritation. The truly dangerous plants are those labeled with "Lilium" or "Hemerocallis." Always check the scientific name when purchasing flowers from a florist.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

My pet just lightly licked a Pothos leaf. Do I need to go to the vet?

If your pet shows symptoms like mouth irritation, drooling, or vomiting, seek veterinary care immediately. If there are no symptoms and the exposure was very brief, monitor them for 24 hours; visit the clinic if drooling or loss of appetite develops. For kittens, it’s safest to have them examined even if no symptoms appear.

My dog licked its paws during grooming after getting lily pollen on them. Is this dangerous?

This is also extremely dangerous. The pollen itself is nephrotoxic, so regardless of the amount ingested, you must take your pet to an emergency veterinary clinic within 24 hours for kidney function tests and intravenous fluid therapy. It is critical to begin treatment as soon as possible after exposure, and no later than 18 hours.

Is the peace lily (Spathiphyllum) actually a lily?

Despite its name, this plant isn’t a true lily—it belongs to the Araceae family. While it doesn’t cause kidney failure like true lilies, it contains oxalate crystals that can lead to mouth pain, vomiting, and drooling. Although it’s far less dangerous than true lilies, we still recommend keeping it out of reach at home.

Are all these plants dangerous for dogs?

Pothos, dieffenbachia, and snowdrops are also dangerous to dogs. However, the nephrotoxicity of true lilies (Lilium) is specific to cats, so dogs typically experience only mild gastrointestinal symptoms. Still, if you have multiple dogs and cats, it’s safest to keep all of them away from these plants.

Is cat grass safe?

Yes, cat grass grown from oat and barley sprouts is a safe source of dietary fiber. However, please grow it yourself without pesticides or fertilizers, or use products certified for pets. Be mindful of soil mold and regularly replace the grass with a fresh pot.

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References

[1] Hovda LR, Brutlag AG, Poppenga RH, Peterson KL, Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Small Animal Toxicology, 3rd Edition, Wiley-Blackwell, 2024 — Chapter 116 Plants (Insoluble Calcium Oxalates) & Chapter on Lilies

[2] Little SE, The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management, 2nd Edition, Elsevier, 2020 — Toxic plants reference table

[3] Burrows GE, Tyrl RJ, Toxic Plants of North America, 2nd Edition, Wiley-Blackwell, 2012