Are alstroemeria flowers poisonous to cats?
The alstroemeria flower (also known as the Peruvian lily) is a beautiful bloom that makes a lovely friendship gift and romantic gesture. But if you have a cat (or are sending it to someone with one) it’s important to do your research. Lots of lilies are poisonous to cats and it’s difficult to know what’s safe for them to be around and what isn’t. So we’ve made it easy for you to find out!
Are lilies poisonous to cats?
The reason most people question having alstroemeria around cats is because traditional lilies are definitely not good for cats.
Lilies are considered highly toxic to cats. And whilst the exact component that makes them toxic isn’t clear yet, if cats eat lilies they can get very ill. In fact, if they eat any part of a traditional lily, they can get fatal kidney damage. Yikes.
This is also true for dogs. They’ll experience nasty gastrointestinal issues if they eat any part of the traditional lily. Although the reactions are not as drastic in dogs, lilies can still make your pooch very sick, which is not what we want!
So our advice - AVOID traditional lilies if you have pets (or are sending to someone who does). There are plenty of other pet-friendly flowers to enjoy instead!
Is the alstroemeria flower poisonous to cats?
Alstroemeria are a little poisonous to cats. While not deathly toxic, they can cause nasty tummy or skin irritation when eaten (mouth irritation, vomiting, digestive irritation).
The reason the alstroemeria lily can cause mild irritation to cats is because they contain ‘tulipalin A’, which is a toxin. It might cause your kitty to feel a bit sick if ingested in large amounts, but alstroemeria flowers won’t cause your cat any serious damage in the same way traditional lilies are known to.
To be extra safe, we recommend keeping them somewhere high up, where your cat can’t reach them.
Looking for the perfect blooms to send to someone with a pet? Take a look at our full range of pet friendly petals.
For more information on how to care for your lilies, you can also browse our lily care page.
