Are Amaryllis Poisonous to Cats? What Pet Owners Should Know

Knowing if amaryllis are poisonous to cats will help you keep your pets safe during the holidays.

The flashy flowers of amaryllis add color, beauty, and elegance to winter holiday decor. But are amaryllis poisonous to cats? This is important to know if you give or receive one that pets will be around. Cats are particularly notorious among pets for exploring the world teeth first, and this includes chewing on houseplants. Because of this, you should take precautions or avoid growing amaryllis around cats, advises an expert.

Meet Our Expert

Brent Heath is the co-owner of Brent and Becky's Bulbs.

Amaryllis and Cats

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.) are in the Amaryllidaceae family. Native to South America and Mexico, the bulbs we buy for showy winter tablescapes are generally raised in the Netherlands or South Africa. Their relatives include daffodils (Narcissus), naked ladies (Amaryllis belladonna), and the alliums, including edible garlic, leeks, onion, and the ornamental alliums.

All of these plants contain an alkaloid compound called lycorine. In the garden, its presence can sometimes benefit gardeners defending their plants from deer. Deer and rabbits generally avoid plants in this family, but our curious pets may not.

“There are a vast number of plants in the amaryllis plant family,” says Brent Heath, co-owner of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs in Gloucester, Virginia. Heath’s family has been selling bulbs since 1900 and amaryllis for as long as he can remember. “They all have the toxicity from an alkaloid making their taste very astringent and highly distasteful,” Heath says. “They are almost always deemed critter-proof."

While not typically fatal, chewing amaryllis can cause some troubling issues for pets. The ASPCA says amaryllis can cause symptoms in cats and dogs, including vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, and tremors. The effects will vary based on the amount eaten and the size, age, and health of the cat.

Tips

If you think your pet has ingested any part of an amaryllis, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible, or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for the best treatment.

According to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, the bulb has the most potent concentration of toxins compared to the flower, leaves, and stalk, so cut amaryllis flowers may be a lower risk than growing the bulbs. Because of this, if you store previous year’s amaryllis bulbs in the fall to prep them for re-blooming, secure them from your pets inside a closed container or inaccessible room.

Related: 15 Non-Toxic Plants for Dogs and Cats for Greenery Without Worry

Tips for Keeping Plants and Pets Safe

It’s impossible to predict which pets will have a predilection for chewing plants. Some pets ignore plants entirely, while others seem fascinated by them. Ultimately, the surest way to keep your cat or dog safe would be to avoid bringing amaryllis into the house, but you can limit your pets' access to the plant too.

Supervision is key if you decide to let your pet near your amaryllis. Keeping plants on the highest shelves can help. Or keep your amaryllis in a room your pets can't access. If you have a large enough glass cloche or tabletop greenhouse to contain your amaryllis, that’s another option to help keep inquiring paws and teeth away.

Related: Is Christmas Cactus Poisonous to Cats That Get Too Curious? Here's What to Know

Holiday Plant Alternatives

Consider using some safer choices as colorful accents amid other non-toxic houseplants like Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens), and spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum).

Despite its reputation for being poisonous, popular poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) has only mild effects if nibbled, the ASPCA says. Their leaves contain a milky sap that can be irritating to the mouth and stomach and may cause vomiting, but generally, their toxicity is “over-rated.”

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) can likewise cause digestive upset if eaten in large quantities. Consider a centerpiece under glass using air plants (Tillandsia species), ornaments, or ribbon—they’re not considered toxic, but they are often bite-sized and easily swallowed. Exotic-looking bromeliads, air plants’ big sisters, are also a good choice for adding a little holiday color, but their tough leaves help deter chewing.

If your heart is set on the distinctive look of an amaryllis, seek out high-quality faux facsimiles to brighten your holiday table.