Are Tulips Poisonous to Cats? Yes, the Whole Lily Family Is

Are tulips poisonous to cats? Yes.

Though admired for their beauty, tulips are toxic to cats, especially when a cat ingests tulip bulbs. The entire tulip plant contains toxic compounds, but the highest concentration is found in the bulb — even the bulb left from fall planting.

Tulips belong to the lily family, a group known for its danger to felines. A curious cat that chews on a tulip leaf or tulip flowers may experience discomfort. But eating bulbs brings an even higher risk of tulip poisoning.

Contents

5 Symptoms of Tulip Toxicity
What To Do If Your Cat Eats a Tulip
Prevention and Safer Alternatives

5 Symptoms of Tulip Toxicity

If a cat ingests tulip, watch for common symptoms like:

Vomiting
Drooling
Diarrhea
Lethargy
Irritation in the feline's mouth

In severe cases, tulip poisoning in cats can cause abdominal pain, tremors, tachycardia, and difficulty breathing. If your feline companion shows severe symptoms, seek veterinary attention right away.

What To Do If Your Cat Eats a Tulip

If you suspect tulip ingestion, the best course is to contact a veterinarian immediately. In more serious treatment scenarios, your vet may induce vomiting, administer activated charcoal to absorb leftover toxins, or perform a stomach pump.

Quick action can reduce the chance of severe toxicity, cardiac arrhythmias, or even coma from ingesting tulips.

Don’t try an invasive procedure at home; let your vet determine next steps.

Prevention and Safer Alternatives

Cat smelling tulip — Why flirt with danger? Elizaveta Starkova / Getty Images

Cats are curious creatures and cats love to nibble on plants. To ensure your cat's safety, suggest removing tulips from homes with pets or keeping them completely out of reach. Opt for pet safe plants to prevent future instances of poisoning.

Tulips are one of many plants that can cause health issues in cats. While most cats recover from mild symptoms, tulip toxicity isn’t worth the risk.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.