Are Lilacs Poisonous To Cats?

Lilacs are very fragrant flowers and are a favorite among gardeners. However, these flowers are toxic to cats. In fact, even small quantities of lilacs can cause poisoning in cats. In fact, a single lilac leaf is enough to kill a cat.

The toxic compounds in lilacs are the alkaloids in the plants. These chemicals are concentrated in the stems and leaves of the lilac plant.

The toxic compounds are concentrated in the stems and leaves of the lilac plant. When a cat chews the plant, the toxins are absorbed into the animals’ body via the oral mucosa, which drains into the stomach.

The cat then chokes and vomits, and the toxins are also expelled into the stomach.

The toxic compounds in lilacs irritate the lining of the cat’s stomach and intestines, and this leads to inflammation of the red blood cells.

This leads to anemia, which is responsible for symptoms like lethargy and vomiting. In severe cases, the cat can also suffer from kidney damage and liver failure.

If your cat has ingested lilacs, contact your vet immediately as they can begin treatment to save your cat’s life.

Is Lilac Attractive to Cats?

Lilac is a beautiful plant that makes a great ornamental piece in any garden. It grows best in temperate regions and is very common in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Due to its popularity as a garden plant, many of us know Lilac as an attractive ornamental plant for our gardens. However, is Lilac attractive to cats?

The answer is yes. Lilac has a distinct smell that cats love, and there are even some cat houses that are made from Lilac wood because of its pleasant odor.

Cats love the smell of Lilac as it contains chemicals called methyl anthranilate and methyl anthranilate that attract felines. These chemicals can be found in other plants such as basil, jasmine, and lavender.

Not only that, Lilac has other health benefits for cats such as anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that can help reduce cat allergies and itchiness.

However, do not place Lilac plants close to your cat’s food bowl as it could block its access to its food.

Symptoms of Lilac Poisoning

Lilacs are a beautiful and popular flower that can add color and fragrance to your home. However, there are a few risks associated with planting lilacs in your yard.

If ingested by your pet or children, lilac plants can cause severe medical problems and even death. Here are common symptoms of lilac poisoning in cats and what to do in case of an emergency.

The symptoms include:

Diarrhea (may contain blood)
Vomiting
Lethargy
Weakness
Seizures
Coma
Death

How Common Are Lilacs Poisonous To Cats?

Cats and flowers are both beautiful, however, they can also be deadly.

The flowers that pose the most danger to cats include lilies, tulips, daffodils, oleander, foxglove, azalea, rhododendron, and sago palm.

These plants are all extremely poisonous to cats. Lilies, in particular, are one of the most poisonous plants in the world.

Now, not all lilies are poisonous, but there are a few varieties that are very potent.

They include Tiger Lily, Easter Lily, Stargazer Lily, and Daylily. The bulbs and daylily leaves of these plants are toxic to cats.

The symptoms of lily poisoning in cats are vomiting, diarrhoea, depression, drooling, and inappetence.

In severe cases, it can also cause kidney failure, acute kidney injury, and even death.

Now, if your cat eats lily plants, you should immediately take them to the vet. If your cat has eaten any part of a lily plant, call your vet immediately.

The sooner they administer treatment, the higher the chances of your cat surviving.

Which Lilacs Are Toxic to Cats?

French Lilac

French lilacs are one of the most toxic types of lilacs as they contain high levels of linalool which is harmful to cats.

They only bloom for a short period in the spring which is why they are popular for landscaping purposes.

Galegin, a neurotoxic and hypotensive chemical found in French lilacs also causes dizziness if ingested by cats.

Ingesting this drug may cause a coma or even death in cats.

Persian Lilac

Persian lilacs, sometimes known as chinaberry trees or Chinese Tree Lilac, are also quite toxic to cats because they contain high amounts of the toxin saponin which is found in all parts of this plant including leaves and stems.

Melia toxins A and B are discovered in the roots and bark of this plant which is also toxic to pets like cats and dogs.

Poisoning symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, tremors, diarrhea and even death in some cases.

Common Lilac

This is the lilac plant, which is also called Syringa vulgaris and contains large amounts of cyanide compounds which are extremely dangerous when ingested by cats and cause cyanide poisoning.

This lilac variety is commonly found in eastern parts of North America such as Maryland and New York but may also grow in other areas as well.

Prevalent white lilacs are the least hazardous to cats and these varieties only produce small amounts of cyanide compounds when ingested by pets.

What Should I Do If My Cat Is Sick After Eating Lilac?

A lilac plant is toxic to cats. If your cat eats a lilac plant, there’s a very real risk that she’ll become very sick.

Additionally, if your cat has eaten the plant and is exhibiting signs of sickness (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, etc.), she will need to be taken to a veterinarian immediately for treatment.

Are Lilac Leaves Toxic?

Lilacs are beautiful flowering shrubs that come in varying shades of purple, pink, white or blue. They are hardy and thrive in most parts of North America.

These shrubs are a great addition to your garden because they smell amazing and attract birds.

The lilac plant’s leaves are toxic to humans and animals, especially the leaves that fall from the plant. The toxin can be fatal if ingested.

However, only a small amount of the toxin is needed to cause severe symptoms. The symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

The toxic part of the plant is the sap. The toxin is concentrated in the sap, which means that it has a higher concentration of toxins compared to the rest of the plant.

Ingesting the plant’s sap can cause serious illness if not treated immediately.

The sap can be made into a tincture, syrup or tea.

The Mayo Clinic recommends a syrup that consists of 1 tablespoon of lilac sap and 1 cup of honey.

You should take 1 tablespoon of the syrup every 15 minutes for up to 6 hours.

Are Lilac Stems Poisonous To Cats?

The lilac flower is universally celebrated for its vibrant purple color and sweet scent.

This ornamental shrub is planted widely in gardens and residential properties alike, and many people enjoy having lilac bushes in their yards. However, lilacs are not the only benefit they provide.

These plants also exude its sweet fragrance into the air. This delicate aroma is attractive to both humans and animals.

However, it also poses some dangers to cats.

Lilac stems contain a chemical known as methyl anthranilate, which cats cannot metabolize properly.

This chemical causes kidney failure in cats upon consumption, and ingesting a single stem can kill an adult cat.

While not all cats are susceptible to the toxic effects of methyl anthranilate, it is essential to keep them away from this plant.

Also Read: Are Snapdragons Poisonous To Cats?

Conclusion

Common Lilacs are not harmful to cats, so there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to feeding them to your pets.

Pick a few little branches to bring inside to freshen the air in your home without worrying about your pet getting sick.

Just be aware that Persian Lilacs can cause severe damage to a cat’s kidneys if ingested.

There are many gorgeous cat-friendly houseplants to have around, and avoiding toxic plants will keep your cat safe.