Gardenia flowers are poisonous to cats, especially the flowers and leaves. These parts contain a substance called geniposide, which is toxic to a cat's liver and gastrointestinal tract. If a cat eats gardenia flowers or leaves, it may experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and indigestion.
While gardenias offer many benefits to humans, some of their components can be toxic to cats. In particular, malondialdehyde (MDA), found primarily in the petals and stamens, is toxic to cats. If a cat licks or chews on the flowers out of curiosity, it may experience digestive problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
