Is Delphinium (larkspur) Toxic to Cats?

Delphinium species

Delphiniums contain diterpene alkaloids similar to aconitine. Eating the young shoots, leaves or seeds causes drooling, vomiting, weakness, heart rhythm disturbance and, in serious cases, collapse.

It is a garden-border staple that self-seeds freely, so volunteer plants appear in parts of the garden nobody planted.

Which parts are dangerous

• leaves
• seeds
• shoots
• roots

What to watch for in the UK

• A cottage-garden favourite, sold as seed and plugs.
• Self-seeds readily into gravel and borders.
• Young shoots in spring are the most toxic stage.
• Wear gloves when cutting back.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Phone your vet promptly — this escalates.
2. Take a photo or cutting.
3. Watch for drooling, weakness 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).