Is Primrose Dangerous for Cats?

Symptoms

• Primrose contains an unknown toxin that causes mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. If you have concerns about primrose, contact your local veterinarian or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. The ASPCA may charge a consultation fee. You may be instructed to induce vomiting in your cat, which can be done by giving your cat 1 tablespoon of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide every 10 minutes. Do not give your cat more than three doses.

Considerations

• Primroses are susceptible to slugs. If you use a molluscacide containing metaldehyde on your primroses or other garden plants to kill slugs, you run the risk of seriously poisoning your cat. Cats are attracted to metaldehyde, making it even more dangerous. Symptoms of metaldehyde poisoning include excessive salivation, tremors, seizures, diarrhea and depression. Death from respiratory failure may occur in as little as four to 24 hours, while death from liver failure may occur in three to four days.

Culture

• Primroses are suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 8, where they prefer a partially shaded to nearly full shade location. They will look their best in a well-draining soil enhanced with organic matter. Water regularly to keep the soil consistently wet, but not flooded or water logged. Apply a 2-inch layer of organic mulch to help retain moisture in the soil and suppress competitive weeds. Primroses do especially well alongside streams.

Alternatives

• Also known as bluebottle, bachelor's buttons (Centaurea cyanus) is a nontoxic alternative that will grow in USDA zones 3 to 8. The plant may grow to be 1 to 3 feet tall depending on the variety, producing flowers in shades ranging from true blue to pink, white, burgundy and lavender. Bachelor's buttons require full sunlight, though they aren't picky about soil so long as it is well-draining. Though drought-tolerant, regular watering will yield more flowers.