Are Tulips Dangerous for Cats?

Toxins in Tulips

• The sap in tulip plant tissues contains multiple toxic compounds in trace amounts. A lectin, two allergen lactones and a glycoprotein exist in tulips. For felines, the two allergen lactones called tulipin A and B present the danger. Usually the lactones exist in a milder form called tuliposide. But when fungi enter the tulip plant, the tuliposides are metabolized into the two forms of tulipin. Humans may show a mild dermatitis from contact with tulipin from handling bulbs, leaves or sap.

Tulipin and Cats

• The highest concentration of tulipin compounds exists in tulip bulbs. Store bulbs away from cats prior to planting them in fall. Cats may want to toy with loose bulbs, occasionally biting them. Juices from punctured bulbs can linger on claws that are later licked clean by the cat. Most often the cat will become exposed to tulipin by chewing on a leaf or flower petal. Contact with tulipin causes mild to severe gastrointenstinal irritation in felines. Tulipin A is the most concerning.

Effects

• A cat that eats or gets traces of tulipin on its tongue will show any array of symptoms. In mild cases, drooling occurs from the feline's mouth. Progressively worse side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, depression and loss of appetite. Severe poisoning cases also involve heart palpitations and convulsions. Even after chewing on or consuming tulip petals or leaves, the cat may not display symptoms for hours or even a couple days.

Reactionary Steps

• Monitor tulip foliage and petals and note if you see any clawing, puncture or chewing signs. If you see signs of a curious or mischievous cat in the tulips, track down the cat and observe it for 60 seconds. Note anything such as drooling, strange heartbeat or traces of vomit. Collect vomit in a small plastic bag because a veterinarian can examine the vomit to determine the identity of toxins. Contact your veterinarian and share information about the potential poisoning. Give the cat's weight, symptoms, an estimate as to how much tulip tissue may have been eaten and at what time.