Are Daffodils toxic to cats?
Yes. Daffodils contain lycorine and other alkaloids, especially in the bulb. Cats eating daffodil bulbs or flowers can become seriously unwell.
If your cat has just eaten daffodils
- Move your cat away from any remaining daffodil. Do not try to make them vomit at home — this is dangerous in cats and rarely works.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and keep the packaging or a photo of the plant/substance if you can.
- Call your vet immediately, even out of hours. Tell them your cat's weight, what they ate, and when.
- If you can't reach your vet, call Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) — paid triage, 24/7 for guidance. They can advise on urgency and route you to emergency care.
What's the full picture?
Daffodil bulbs contain the highest concentration of toxic alkaloids, but the flowers, leaves, stems, and even the water in a daffodil vase are also dangerous.
Spring is peak daffodil emergency season. Cats drinking vase water or chewing stems left on a coffee table are common exposures.
Symptoms to watch for
Questions owners ask
My cat chewed a daffodil leaf. Is a leaf less dangerous than the bulb?
The bulb is the most toxic part, but leaves still contain significant lycorine and other alkaloids. Any daffodil ingestion needs veterinary assessment — severe vomiting and GI signs can start within an hour.
The flower water in my vase has daffodils in it. Is that dangerous if my cat drinks from it?
Yes. Daffodil stem sap leaches into vase water and the water itself becomes mildly toxic. Cats sometimes prefer vase water over their own water bowl. Keep daffodil arrangements out of cat-accessible areas.
When is daffodil poisoning most common in the UK?
Peak daffodil emergencies happen in February to April as daffodils bloom in UK gardens, and January-February for forced indoor bulbs bought for early spring. Narcissus (including paperwhites) share the same toxins.
Related
About this guidance
Every entry on this site is compiled from published UK veterinary toxicology sources — International Cat Care, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) references, RCVS-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.
This is general information written for UK cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.
Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed: · By the What Can My Cat Eat? editorial team