What Flowers are Safe for Cats?

Do you share your home with a feline or two (or more)? Do you also love flowers and want to be able to safely have some flower arrangements in your home? Wondering what flowers are safe for cats?

If you’re considering adding some flowers to your home decor, be sure to read this entire article so you know which plants and flowers are safe and which are toxic to cats. It’s also important to mention that dogs and cats can have different reactions to different plants. If you’ve heard a certain plant or flower is safe for dogs, don’t assume it is safe for cats. 

As an example, lilies will only cause mild stomach upset in dogs but can cause kidney failure in cats. So don’t assume the same plant rules apply to our canine and feline friends.

33 Flowers and Plants That are Safe for Cats

Cats. They are just so darn curious that they get themselves into quite a bit of trouble, if we let them. If you have one of those cats that tends to chew on plants, it can be very frustrating. And anxiety-inducing. 

Luckily, most of the common flowers used by florists are safe for cats. Having said that, it’s still a good idea to keep all flower arrangements out of reach of your feline babies because while a nibble may not kill them, it still could give them an upset stomach.

With all of that said, here are x flowers that are safe for cats:

Aster

Daisies are not safe for cats, but Asters, which look very similar, are perfectly safe. Bright and colorful, Asters are star-shaped flowers that add a [o of whimsy to any bouquet or arrangement.

Baby’s Breath

Baby’s Breath is ubiquitous in floral arrangements because it’s the perfect small and fuzzy flower to fill out any bouquet. These delicate white flowers are not toxic to cats and so light and pretty.

Cosmos

Did you know cosmos are from the same family as sunflowers? These large and striking flowers come in a variety of colors like pinks, oranges, purples and light yellow, and make a perfect addition to any bouquet.

Freesia

Freesias are gorgeous flowers that also come in many colors from light pastel pinks and yellows to deeper, more vibrant purples and reds. And luckily they are cat-friendly so you can enjoy them in your home all year-round.

Gerbera

While they are called “Daisies,” Gerbera Daisies are not part of the  Chrysanthemum family and are non-toxic to your fur babies. These flowers are bold and vibrant, and make wonderful additions to an arrangement and look great all on their own.

Jasmine

 

Jasmine flowers are pretty little white flowers that look like stars that fell from the night sky. As an added bonus, the scent they give off is also heavenly. And as if all of that weren’t enough, they are purr-fectly safe for your feline family members.

Limonium

Have you ever arranged flowers and wished you had a “spray” of purple to add? Look no further than Limonium. Also called Sea-Lavender or Marsh Rosemary, Limonium has frilled stems and clusters of purple flowers. Oh, and they are also 100% feline-friendly!

Lisianthus

This beautiful flower looks very similar to a rose. Lisianthus is also known as Prairie Gentian or Eustoma and comes in shades of pink and purple.

Magnolia

While Magnolia plants are actually trees or bushes, the flower is often used in floral arrangements. These flowers are waxy and gorgeous and give of an intoxicating scent. And completely non-toxic to cats. Their fragrant, creamy white flowers are perfect for attracting pollinating insects, which might explain why they look and smell so beautiful. Luckily, Magnolia is non-toxic to cats.

Orchid

How lucky that one of the most gorgeous flowers in the world is safe not only for cats but also dogs! Orchids come in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes, and add a beautiful touch to any room. 

Roses

Roses, you either love them or hate them it seems. If you love them, you’re in luck because they are absolutely safe for your cats. Roses come in so many varieties, colors and shapes. Oh, and that scent…

Snapdragon

Snapdragons are also known as Antirrhinum, are uniquely shaped blooms that come in a variety of colors. They look so pretty and delicate and come in wonderful pinks and oranges and yellows and more. They are also completely cat-safe.

Sunflower

We mentioned earlier that Cosmos are related to Sunflowers, so of course we have to mention them here. There is something so bold and beautiful about Sunflowers. With large heads and lovely yellow/gold petals, sunflowers are wonderful in any bouquet, especially in the fall.

Safe Greenery for Cats

We can’t answer the question, “what flowers are safe for cats?” without also mentioning those green plants that are often used in bouquets and flower arrangements. If you’re wondering what you can use to add a fresh pop of green, here are 20 plants that are safe for cats:

• Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
• Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea)
• Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
• Boston fern (Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis)
• Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
• Dill (Anethum graveolena)
• Dwarf date palm (Phoenix acaulis)
• Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata)
• Hens and chicks (Echeveria elegans)
• Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa)
• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
• Old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis)
• Painted lady (Echeveria multicaulis)
• Reed palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
• Sage (Salvia officinalis)
• Shrimp cactus (Schlumbergera russelliana)
• Spider plant/spider ivy (Chlorophytum comosum)
• Venus fly trap (Dionaea muscipula)
• Zebra haworthia (Haworthia fasciata)

We always recommend you to do your own research when determining what flowers and plants are safe for your pets. The best trick is to find the plant’s scientific name (genus and species) and use that to search a reliable database, like the ASPCA Pet Poison Control’s toxic and non-toxic plants list.

Plant Safety for Cats

We’d like to end this article by mentioning that just because a flower or plant isn’t toxic to cats doesn’t mean it doesn’t pose any safety concerns. Anything that a cat eats (that it shouldn’t) can lead to an upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. And any cat that eats a large amount of any type of plant material is also at risk for a GIG blockage. (Hello large emergency vet bill). Some cats may also drink from the vase that may contain some sort of plant food.

Only you know your cat and how curious they are. Young kitties tend to get into things they shouldn’t, while older cats may be more chill and laid back and won’t bother your arrangement. Know your cat and take the necessary precautions to keep them safe.

 

And Speaking of Keeping Them Safe

The #1 thing you can do to keep your fur babies safe is to ensure you can pay for their care no matter what happens. You never know when you cat may suddenly become injured or ill and you could be looking at a vet bill in the thousands of dollars.

Would you be  able to pay?

A pet insurance plan helps you pay for vet care so you have peace of mind. If you’ve been thinking of enrolling your fur baby into a pet insurance plan but weren’t sure which company was the best, here are the top pet insurance providers – in order – based on over 150,000 authentic reviews from pet parents just like you:

 

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2024

Rating	Provider	Total Review
4.9	Embrace	17,158
4.9	Healthy Paws	10,008
4.9	Trupanion	73,743
4.9	Fetch	18,571
4.9	Lemonade	805
4.8	Nationwide	21,407
4.8	Prudent Pet	125
4.7	Hartville	165
4.6	ManyPets	2,343
4.6	Pumpkin	1,473
4.6	Spot	7,033
4.5	ASPCA	11,757
4.5	PetPartners	113
4.4	AKC	891
4.3	Pet Assure	12
4.3	Pets Best	12,232
4.2	Figo	2,602
4.0	MetLife	652

References:

1. https://www.ethosvet.com/blog-post/list-of-toxic-vs-non-toxic-flowers-what-should-you-buy/
2. https://www.aspca.org/news/mothers-day-bouquets-whats-safe-pets

 

Disclaimer

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.