Is an autumn crocus (colchicum autumnale) safe for Cats?
✓ Sources checked by the Eaoae Safety Review · 2026-10-28 · Based on 3 sources
No, autumn crocus is extremely unsafe for cats. Colchicine causes bloody vomiting, severe diarrhea, shock, multi-organ failure, and bone marrow suppression. Even small ingestions can be fatal.
🚨 Emergency: Yes — contact your veterinarian immediately.
💡 Why
In cats, autumn crocus poisoning is a multi-system catastrophe: colchicine's attack on dividing cells produces hemorrhagic GI signs, then liver and kidney injury, then bone marrow suppression. Cats' small size means the lethal dose is tiny. Outdoor cats encountering the fall-blooming flowers, or indoor cats given cut stems, are both at risk. This is one of the most dangerous plants a cat can encounter.
🩺 What to do
- Any exposure is an emergency -- do not wait for bloody signs to appear.
- Remove the plant from any area your cat accesses.
- Tell your vet it is colchicine poisoning; it changes the treatment plan.
❓ Common questions
Are the flowers toxic too?
Yes -- the showy fall flowers are just as toxic as the rest of the plant.
What will I see?
Bloody vomiting, bloody diarrhea, profound lethargy, and collapse -- often within hours.
How do I protect my cat?
Keep cats away from autumn crocus plantings and never bring the flowers indoors.
📚 Sources
- Poisonous Plants (Milewski & Khan, Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 2006)
- Pet Poison Helpline: Autumn Crocus
- Pet Poison Helpline: Top 10 Plants Poisonous to Pets
- ASPCA: Autumn Crocus
🔎 How the sources compare
What each authority says about Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) \u2014 compiled 2026-10-28. Eaoae’s verdict summarizes these sources; it is not our own diagnosis.
| Source | Dogs | Cats | Dose info |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASPCA Animal Poison Control | Toxic to dogs — listed under Meadow Saffron (additional common name: Autumn Crocus; Colchicum autumnale); toxic principles are colchicine and other alkaloids; signs include oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage and bone marrow suppression | Toxic to cats — listed under Meadow Saffron (additional common name: Autumn Crocus; Colchicum autumnale); toxic principles are colchicine and other alkaloids; signs include oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage and bone marrow suppression | — |
| Pet Poison Helpline | Toxic — all parts of the plant contain alkaloid toxins including colchicine; ingestion, fresh or dried, can cause severe poisoning with gastrointestinal signs, organ failure, shock, blood cell abnormalities and death (page written for pets generally) | Toxic — all parts of the plant contain alkaloid toxins including colchicine; ingestion, fresh or dried, can cause severe poisoning with gastrointestinal signs, organ failure, shock, blood cell abnormalities and death (page written for pets generally) | — |
| Merck Veterinary Manual | Not covered | Not covered | — |
| VCA Hospitals | Not covered | Not covered | — |
| Eaoae summary (cats) | ⛔ Unsafe \u2014 Known to be harmful or toxic. Keep it away from your pet. | ||
🔗 Related checks for cats
- Cucumber Slices ✅ Safe
- caffeine ⛔ Unsafe
- Eggs ⚠️ Caution
- Sweet Potato ⚠️ Caution
- Aloe vera ⛔ Unsafe
- Destroying angel mushroom (Amanita virosa) ⛔ Unsafe
Checked with Eaoae’s safety lookup. Answers are generated for reference and may be incomplete — always confirm with your vet for your individual pet. Spotted an error? Let us know.
