Plant safety for cats
Is hydrangea toxic to cats?
ModerateListed toxic to cats by ASPCA
Yes — hydrangea is toxic to cats, though it usually causes only vomiting and diarrhoea; the cyanide-type poisoning it can cause is rare in pets.
Why moderate: Provisional: it contains a cyanogenic glycoside, but pets usually get only a stomach upset.
- Name
- Hydrangeaalso Hortensia
- Botanical name
- Hydrangea macrophylla · Hydrangeaceae
Toxic parts
Treat every part as toxic — ASPCA lists the plant without naming a safer part.
What's in it
A cyanogenic glycoside.
How to recognise it
- Large rounded (mophead) or flat (lacecap) clusters of blue, pink or white florets
- Broad, saw-edged leaves
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting
- Low mood
- Diarrhoea
What to do
Call your vet today. Most cats get a stomach upset that passes.
- Take the plant away, note how much is missing and take a photo of it.
- Don't make your cat vomit at home unless a vet tells you to.
- No milk, oil, salt water or home remedies.
Where Indian cats meet it
Hill-station gardens and florists' cut flowers.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: Hydrangea
- Pet Poison Helpline: Hydrangea
- Cornell Feline Health Center: Destructive behaviour (cats and houseplants, PDF)
Facts last checked
General information for cat parents, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. The facts come from ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, International Cat Care, the Merck Veterinary Manual and the other sources listed on every page — and we say so when the evidence comes from dogs or people. If your cat may have eaten something harmful, call your vet.
