Plants / Chrysanthemum / cats

Is chrysanthemum toxic to cats?

Chrysanthemum is toxic to cats (S2 Irritant): its sesquiterpene lactones and pyrethrins cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and incoordination, and contact can cause dermatitis — irritating, rarely serious.

  • TOXINsesquiterpene lactones, pyrethrins, other potential irritants
  • WHAT TO EXPECTvomiting; diarrhea; hypersalivation
  • CALL THE VETCall your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than a few hours, your cat seems wobbly or unsteady, or a skin reaction spreads.
S0S1S2S3S4

Symptoms

SIGN
vomiting
diarrhea
hypersalivation
incoordination
dermatitis

If your cat just ate it

S2 PROTOCOL
1
Remove the flowers and foliage from reach — a potted mum on the floor is at cat height. Rinse any sap off the skin, offer fresh water, and watch for vomiting or an unsteady walk.
2
When to call the vet: Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than a few hours, your cat seems wobbly or unsteady, or a skin reaction spreads.

Same tabletop look, minus the risk

3 tabletop plants graded S0 — safe even for dedicated chewers.

Care at a glance

Lightbright indirect
Waterevery 35 days
Humiditymedium
Difficulty●●○