Is Snowdrop Toxic to Cats?

Galanthus nivalis

Snowdrops contain galantamine and related alkaloids, concentrated in the bulb. Eating a bulb causes vomiting, diarrhoea and drooling; the flowers and leaves are much less potent.

They appear in January and February, often dug up by squirrels and left on the surface where a cat can find them.

Which parts are dangerous

• bulbs
• leaves

What to watch for in the UK

• Naturalised in lawns and woodland across the UK.
• Bulbs are lifted and divided in spring and left out to dry.
• Squirrels dig and discard bulbs.
• Much less dangerous than autumn crocus — learn the difference.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Phone your vet if a bulb was chewed.
2. Offer water and watch for sickness.
3. Take the bulb with you.

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).