Are Daffodils Toxic to Dogs and Cats?

Daffodils (Narcissus spp.), also called narcissus, jonquils or paperwhites, are toxic to both cats and dogs.

If your pet has eaten a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away and bring a photo or piece of the plant. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).

Why

Daffodils (narcissus) contain lycorine and other alkaloids that cause vomiting, and crystals that irritate tissues. The bulb is the most toxic part, but the flowers and leaves can also cause illness.

Large amounts, particularly of the bulbs, can cause more serious signs such as low blood pressure, heart rhythm changes and tremors.

How to recognize it

Daffodils have yellow or white flowers with a trumpet-shaped center surrounded by six petals, on straight stems with narrow, flat leaves. They grow from brown, papery bulbs and are common in spring gardens and cut-flower bunches.

Signs to watch for

• Vomiting and drooling
• Diarrhea and abdominal pain
• Low blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm or tremors after large amounts

What to do

• Contact your veterinarian if your pet eats any part of a daffodil, especially a bulb.
• Do not let pets drink water from vases holding daffodils.
• Store bulbs safely and supervise dogs in spring gardens.

Is the vase water dangerous too?

Yes. Cut daffodil stems release sap into the water, and pets that drink from the vase can start vomiting. Cats that drink from anywhere they can reach are the usual culprits. Dogs may drink from a low vase on the floor or from a bucket of freshly cut stems.

Many florists also warn that daffodils should be kept in their own water for a while before mixing them with other flowers, because the sap harms other cut stems. That same sap is what upsets a pet's stomach. Tip the water out where pets cannot get to it, and rinse the vase before refilling it for other flowers.

Are paperwhites and jonquils daffodils?

Paperwhites, jonquils and daffodils are all Narcissus, so the same toxins apply. Paperwhites are the white, strongly scented narcissus often grown indoors in winter from bulbs set in pebbles and water. That puts a bare bulb within reach of a cat for weeks.

Jonquils, "narcissus" and the many named daffodil varieties in garden catalogs belong to the same group. Treat any of them the way you would a daffodil. The bulbs also look a lot like small onions or shallots, so keep them away from kitchen scraps and food storage.

What makes a bulb ingestion more serious?

The bulb holds the most alkaloids, and its outer layers are packed with irritating crystals. A dog that eats a flower head may vomit once and recover. A dog that chews up a bulb can go on to have severe vomiting, low blood pressure, a changed heart rhythm or tremors.

The vet may decide to empty the stomach and give activated charcoal. Treatment after that usually means fluids, anti-nausea medication and checks of heart rate and rhythm. Bring the bulb bag or a photo so the vet knows what was eaten and roughly how much.

Pet-safe alternatives

Looking for something similar without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

• Non-toxicOrchids (moth orchid)
• Non-toxicAfrican violet

Common questions

Are daffodils poisonous to pets?

Cats: Toxic. Dogs: Toxic. Yes. Daffodils are toxic to dogs and cats. The bulbs are the most dangerous part.

Is it safe to keep daffodils in a home with cats and dogs?

Not within your pets' reach. Store bulbs safely and supervise dogs in spring gardens.

What should I do if my pet chews daffodils?

Contact your veterinarian if your pet eats any part of a daffodil, especially a bulb. Do not let pets drink water from vases holding daffodils.

Which pet-safe plants can I grow instead of daffodils?

Orchids and African violet are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

← All plants

Sources

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List (dogs, cats).
• Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.