Are Autumn Crocus Toxic to Cats?

Colchicum autumnale

Autumn crocus contains colchicine, which stops cell division and causes severe gastrointestinal damage, organ failure and shock. There is no antidote.

It flowers in autumn without leaves, so it looks like a harmless meadow flower. It grows in the wild in parts of the UK and is also sold as a garden bulb.

Which parts are dangerous

• corms
• flowers
• leaves
• seeds

What to watch for in the UK

• Flowers in September and October in meadows and gardens.
• Often confused with the harmless spring crocus.
• Corms are dug up by gardeners and left on the surface.
• Do not confuse it with saffron crocus, which is a different species.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Emergency vet immediately.
2. Take a photo and say whether it was autumn crocus or spring crocus.
3. Do not wait for diarrhoea — it can be rapid.

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).