Are Peonies Safe for Cats to Eat?

Known for its rich and colorful blossoms and easy-to-grow nature, the peony plant is a staple for many flower gardens. But this plant can pose a danger to household pets.

  1. Significance

    • The peony plant contains the toxin paeonol, which can cause symptoms of distress in household pets, but particularly in cats.

    Symptoms

    • A cat who has ingested peonies will exhibit vomiting, diarrhea, depression and lethargy. Some cats may refuse to eat or exhibit an extreme loss of appetite.

    Prevention

    • Do not bring cut peonies into your home. If your cat has access to the outdoors, ensure that there are no peonies growing in your garden. If it is not possible to remove peonies from your cat's environment, supervise your cat.

    Treatment

    • If you believe your cat has ingested any part of a peony plant, seek emergency veterinary medical help as soon as possible.

    Considerations

    • If medical help is sought and you know exactly what plant your cat ate, bring a sample cutting of the plant that was ingested to the veterinarian's office with you. This allows the veterinarian another resource when diagnosing and treating your cat's problem.