Are Forget Me Nots Toxic to Cats? Regular and Chinese Forget Me Nots Explained!

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Are forget me nots toxic to cats? If you’re looking for a pet-friendly flower, forget me nots may be the answer, just ensure you don’t confuse regular forget me nots with the poisonous Chinese variety.

In short, forget me not flowers (also known as Myosotis) are not toxic or poisonous to cats. Not only do they not pose a danger or threat to your cats, but they actually act as a pet-friendly plant, meaning that you can put them in your home or yard without any worry.

That being said, a specific type of the forget me not flowers is toxic to cats. That variation of this plant is called the Chinese forget me not.

This article will answer the question, ‘Are forget me nots toxic to cats?’ We’ll discuss two different varieties, one that’s safe for your pet and the other that isn’t.

Are forget me nots toxic to cats?

Forget me not flowers are most commonly known and loved for their bright, beautiful blue petals and vibrant white or orange centers. These flowers often bloom in the early spring and maintain their radiance up until mid-autumn. In addition, once they’ve bloomed, forget me nots can be up to 50cm tall.

Not only are these flowers beautiful, but they are also pretty hardy. They even tend to prefer indirect sunlight and an environment capable of providing them with moist soil and cool weather.

Related Article: Are Pussy Willows Toxic to Cats?

To add to this, these particular flowers are edible. That’s right, not only will no harm come to you or your beloved pet from ingesting them, but you can also gain nutrients from eating them. Because of this, forget me not plants are actually one of the safest pieces of greenery that you could possibly put in a home where cats reside.

Are Chinese forget-me-nots toxic to cats?

Chinese forget me nots are the only variety of forget me not flowers that are considered to be toxic to cats. The main way to differentiate the Chinese forget me nots from regular plants is by their bloom time. The regular variation of this flower blooms in the early spring meanwhile its poisonous counterpart blooms in July.

That being said, unless consumed in large amounts, Chinese forget me not flowers are likely to only cause your cat to experience some light to mild irritation. However, if your pet has ingested a lot of this plant, then it is recommended that you take them to a vet immediately, as when this flower is eaten in large quantities, it becomes poisonous.

Other plants to avoid in a pet-friendly garden

Here is a short list of other plants to avoid in a pet, and more specifically, cat, friendly garden, and home:

Lilies – lilies are considered to be one of the most poisonous plants to cats. Symptoms that your cat may experience if it ingests a lily include vomiting, a loss of appetite, and drooling.
Aloe vera – cat symptoms of consuming aloe vera include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and depression
Daisies – similarly to aloe vera and lilies, the ingestion of daisies could cause cats to experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive salivation

Plants that are safe for cats

Two of the plants that can easily be put on the safe plant list regarding cats are Pampas Grass and African Violets.

Pampas grass

Pampas grass is a perennial grass that can be pretty tall in height and is most well known for its protruding feathery flowers. This grass can live for up to two years if looked after properly.

African violet

The African Violet is a common houseplant generally loved and adored because of its vibrant colors and ability to flower all year round.

Are forget me nots toxic to cats? final thoughts

Overall, forget me not flowers are a perfectly safe plant to have in a cat-friendly home. That being said, please ensure that you do not accidentally plant or purchase Chinese forget me nots as they can be somewhat toxic to cats.

If you’re looking to create a pet-friendly yard you can combine forget me nots with other safe plants such as pampas grass and African violets. These plants can be grown in a flower bed and will create shade for your pet on hot summer days. It’s also a good idea to carefully consider the type of hedge you plant to ensure your pet is safe.

Article Written by Victoriya Litovchenko

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