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 ASPCA Poison Control ((888) 426-4435) — paid triage, 24/7 for guidance. They can advise on urgency and route you to emergency care.
What's the full picture?
Daffodils (Narcissus species) are highly toxic to cats. All parts of the plant contain toxic alkaloids — primarily lycorine and calcium oxalate crystals — with the highest concentration in the bulb. Ingestion causes intense vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, drooling, and in larger amounts (particularly bulb ingestion), cardiac arrhythmias, low blood pressure, tremors, and seizures.
The bulb is the most dangerous part, but the flowers, leaves, and stems all contain toxic compounds. Daffodils are one of the most popular spring flowers and commonly appear in grocery store bouquets from February through April. Even the water in a vase containing cut daffodils should be considered contaminated — don't let cats drink from flower vases.
Daffodil toxicity is more severe than many other toxic plants because of the combination of mechanisms: lycorine causes GI damage and can affect cardiac function; calcium oxalate crystals cause direct tissue damage in the mouth and GI tract. A cat that has eaten a significant amount needs prompt veterinary treatment, including IV fluids and potentially cardiac monitoring.
Narcissus includes daffodils, jonquils, and narcissus paperwhites — all toxic. Amaryllis, which is in the same family (Amaryllidaceae) and similar in appearance, is similarly toxic. If you grow spring bulbs in your garden and your cat goes outside, be aware of which plants are blooming.
Gardening season creates particular risk: when bulbs are being planted in fall or dug up in spring, they're accessible at ground level. Cats may investigate bulbs left sitting on soil or in bags. Store bulbs in closed containers and keep cats out of the garden during planting activities.
Symptoms to watch for
Emergency vet treatment for poisoning typically costs $800–$3,000 in the US. Pet insurance covers it — and you can get a quote in under 2 minutes.
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Cat Owner Essentials
Questions owners ask
How dangerous are daffodils to cats?
Very dangerous — all parts of the daffodil are toxic, especially the bulb. Symptoms include severe vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and in serious cases, cardiac arrhythmias and seizures. If your cat has eaten any part of a daffodil or drunk from daffodil vase water, call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
Can cats be harmed by daffodil vase water?
Yes — daffodil stems release alkaloids into vase water, making the water itself toxic. Keep cats away from any vase containing cut daffodils, and never let cats drink from flower vases during daffodil season.
Are jonquils and paperwhites as dangerous as regular daffodils?
Yes — jonquils and narcissus paperwhites are all Narcissus species and contain the same toxic compounds. All should be treated as equally dangerous to cats. Amaryllis, which looks similar and is in the same plant family, is also toxic.
If you love the look but not the risk, pet-safe artificial plants are indistinguishable on a shelf and completely nibble-proof.
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About this guidance
Every entry on this site is compiled from published US veterinary toxicology sources — AAFP, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA APCC) references, AVMA-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 US 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 ASPCA Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 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 Cat Ate It editorial team