Are Amaryllis Toxic to Cats?

Hippeastrum

Amaryllis contains lycorine in the bulb, with lower concentrations in the leaves and flowers. The Christmas gift-box format is the problem: a bare bulb, wrapped in a box, sitting on a table.

Chewing a bulb causes drooling, vomiting and abdominal pain; larger exposures can drop blood pressure and cause tremors.

Which parts are dangerous

• bulbs
• leaves
• flowers

What to watch for in the UK

• Sold as boxed bulbs in autumn and winter — often left out for weeks.
• The bulb looks like a toy and rolls off surfaces.
• Once planted, cats dig at the compost in the pot.
• The tall stems are attractive to a cat that likes to bat things.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Phone your vet, especially if the bulb was gnawed.
2. Take the bulb and box.
3. Watch for drooling, vomiting and wobbliness.

Take a photo of the plant, and a cutting if you can do it safely — identification is half of the vet's decision. Out of hours, use your practice's emergency number. This page explains risk; it cannot diagnose your cat and it contains no home treatments.

If your cat has vomited after eating a plant, see the cat vomiting guide and, if there is blood, vomiting blood. For a general red-flag checklist, use sick cat symptoms. If the worry is food rather than a plant, the can cats eat guide covers 36 everyday foods.

Related plants

Browse the full UK plant checklist (72 plants).