Is Amaryllis Toxic to Cats?
Also known as: Hippeastrum, Belladonna Lily type bulbs, Barbados Lily · Hippeastrum spp.
What makes it toxic
Lycorine and related phenanthridine alkaloids, concentrated in the bulb but present in leaves and flowers. They strongly irritate the gut and, in larger doses, depress the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Warning signs to watch for
Profuse drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and abdominal pain within a few hours; larger ingestions add tremors, weakness, low blood pressure and seizures.
What to do if your cat eats it
Remove plant material and call your vet promptly, especially if the cat dug at the bulb. If you know a significant amount of bulb tissue was eaten, go to a vet or ER immediately rather than waiting for symptoms.
Common questions
Is a bite of the flower dangerous, or just the bulb?
A nibble of leaf or flower usually means milder stomach upset. Bulb tissue carries the highest alkaloid load and can cause tremors and collapse, so any bulb-digging incident deserves a vet call.
My cat drank the amaryllis bulb vase water — is that bad?
Yes, potentially. The water can leach alkaloids from cut stems or bulb tissue. Treat it like an ingestion and contact your vet.
More plants checked for cats
This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. Checking what your pet can eat? Visit our sister site SafeOrToxic.