Is Blue Tulp toxic to cats?

Yes — blue tulp is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. Moraea polystachya contains bufadienolide cardiac glycosides (including epoxyscillirosidine and related compounds), which cause acute cardiac glycoside poisoning in animals. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, bradycardia or tachycardia, arrhythmia, weakness, and death; the dried plant and incorporated hay are also toxic. This species is notorious as a major livestock poison ('tulp poisoning') in South Africa and is considered dangerous to cats and dogs. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately after any suspected ingestion.

Moraea polystachya contains bufadienolide cardiac glycosides (including epoxyscillirosidine and related compounds), which cause acute cardiac glycoside poisoning in animals. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, bradycardia or tachycardia, arrhythmia, weakness, and death; the dried plant and incorporated hay are also toxic. This species is notorious as a major livestock poison ('tulp poisoning') in South Africa and is considered dangerous to cats and dogs. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately after any suspected ingestion. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to blue tulp.

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Blue Tulp is toxic to dogs as well. See the full blue tulp pet-safety guide for both species.

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.