Is Nuphar lutea toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists nuphar lutea as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Nuphar lutea is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database, so its pet status is uncertain. Note that the rhizome and seeds contain bitter nupharidine-type alkaloids; treat as a non-food plant, discourage chewing, and verify with a vet if a pet ingests it.

Nuphar lutea is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database, so its pet status is uncertain. Note that the rhizome and seeds contain bitter nupharidine-type alkaloids; treat as a non-food plant, discourage chewing, and verify with a vet if a pet ingests it. 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 nuphar lutea.

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: Nuphar lutea is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full nuphar lutea 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.