Is Daffodil Toxic to Cats?

Narcissus

Daffodils contain lycorine, concentrated in the bulb. A cat that digs up and chews a bulb is in far more trouble than one that nibbles a petal, which usually causes drooling and a vomit.

Spring is the risk season twice over: bulbs go in the ground in autumn, and cut daffodils come indoors in March, where the water in the vase also becomes a mild irritant.

Which parts are dangerous

• bulbs
• leaves
• flowers
• vase water

What to watch for in the UK

• Autumn bulb planting leaves bulbs on the surface for days.
• Indoor daffodil bowls at Christmas and Easter are within reach.
• The vase water makes cats drool — change it away from the cat.
• Squirrels dig bulbs up and leave them on the lawn.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Phone your vet. A petal is usually mild; a bulb is not.
2. Take the bulb or a photo and say how much was eaten.
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).