Foods and plants toxic to cats

• 01Lily pollen or vase water: go to the vet now.
• 02Onion, garlic, chives: cats are the most sensitive.
• 03Call poison control, do not make it vomit.

Who do I call if my cat ate something poisonous?

Call your vet, an emergency animal hospital, or one of the two 24 hour animal poison lines: ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. A fee may apply. Saving both numbers now, along with PetAid, our free pet first aid app, means one less thing to search for with a sick cat in your arms.

Call even if your cat looks completely normal. With lilies, onions and pain pills, the damage often starts hours or days before a cat shows anything.

Are lilies toxic to cats?

Yes, and they top this list for a reason. True lilies (the Lilium group: Easter, tiger, stargazer, Asiatic and Oriental lilies) and daylilies can cause kidney failure in cats. Leaves, petals, stem, pollen and the water in the vase all count.

A cat does not have to eat a whole flower. The FDA says chewing a small piece of leaf or petal, licking a few pollen grains off its fur, or drinking vase water can be enough.

Early signs, per the FDA, can start within 12 hours: drooling, vomiting, low energy, not eating. Kidney damage can follow at 12 to 24 hours, and kidney failure within 24 to 72 hours. Early vet treatment greatly improves the outlook. The FDA notes that a delay of 18 hours or more generally leaves damage that cannot be reversed.

Lilies are a cat problem. The FDA says dogs that eat them may get a mild stomach upset, but they do not develop the kidney failure cats do.

What do I do if my cat ate something toxic?

1. 01

   Separate cat and poison

   Shut the cat in a room away from the plant, food or pills.

2. 02

   Keep the evidence

   Grab the plant, wrapper or pill bottle, or take a photo.

3. 03

   Call a poison line

   ASPCA (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.

4. 04

   Do not make it vomit

   No hydrogen peroxide or home remedies unless a vet tells you to.

5. 05

   Wash off any oil

   Oil on fur: wash it off with liquid dish soap, then rinse.

6. 06

   Carrier, then the car

   Call the emergency hospital so they expect you.

7. 07

   Go even if it seems fine

   Lily and pain pill damage can start before any sign.

What can cats not eat?

Is a little garlic or onion really a problem for cats?

It can be. The Merck Veterinary Manual names cats as the most sensitive species to onions and garlic, and reports poisoning in cats after less than a teaspoon of cooked onion.

Raw, cooked, dried and powdered forms all count. Merck notes most poisonings involve concentrated forms, such as garlic or onion powder, dried flakes and dry onion soup mix. Signs typically show 3 to 5 days later, so a quiet cat the next morning does not mean it is over.

Can cats eat grapes, raisins or xylitol?

Keep both away from cats, but here is the honest evidence. Grapes and raisins are a known kidney risk for dogs. For cats, VCA says there are only anecdotal reports of kidney injury, and the true risk is unknown.

Xylitol is a serious poison for dogs. A 2018 study gave xylitol to 6 cats and found no toxic effects, but that is a very small study. Call your vet or a poison line anyway and let them weigh the amount.

Are essential oils safe around cats?

Many are not. Cats lack a liver enzyme that helps clear these oils, according to Pet Poison Helpline. Tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, cinnamon, clove, citrus, pine, wintergreen, pennyroyal and ylang ylang are on its list.

Oils reach a cat through the mouth, the skin and the air. Active diffusers release droplets that can land on fur and get licked off later. Watch for drooling, vomiting, wobbling, tremors or hard breathing. Move the cat to fresh air, wash any oil off, and call.

Can I give my cat Tylenol or ibuprofen?

No. VCA says acetaminophen (Tylenol) should never be given to a cat. Merck notes the gums can turn brown or muddy within a few hours. The face and paws can swell, and breathing can get hard.

Ibuprofen affects cats at about half the dose that affects dogs, per Merck. VCA lists stomach ulcers and kidney damage among the risks. A single dropped pill that the cat chewed is worth a call.

What are the signs a cat has been poisoned?

Early signs are often vague: drooling, vomiting, low energy or not eating. Tremors, wobbling, hard breathing, or gums that look brown, pale or yellow are signs vets act on quickly.

Some poisons show little at first. Lily damage can build over a day or more, and onion damage over several days. That is why the call comes first, not the signs.

What changed in 2026 about making a cat vomit?

The 2026 RECOVER First Aid Guidelines recommend against making a dog or cat vomit at home after it swallows a poison. Older advice often suggested hydrogen peroxide. RECOVER notes reports of serious stomach injury from it in dogs and cats.

The one exception: if you cannot get to a vet quickly and a vet or poison center tells you to, follow their advice. Otherwise, the carrier and the car are the first aid.

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