Petopia
English
Calculate

Are Lilies Toxic to Cats and Dogs?

Cats · ToxicDogs · Mildly toxic

For cats, yes: true lilies and daylilies can cause fatal kidney failure. For dogs they are much less dangerous and usually cause only mild stomach upset.

Botanical name: Lilium spp., Hemerocallis spp.

If your pet has eaten a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away and bring a photo or piece of the plant. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).

Why

True lilies (Lilium, such as Easter, tiger, Asiatic and stargazer lilies) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) are among the most dangerous plants for cats. Every part is toxic, including the petals, leaves, pollen and even the water in the vase. A cat can be poisoned simply by grooming pollen off its fur.

The toxin damages the kidneys, and without prompt treatment a cat can develop acute kidney failure within one to three days. The same plants are not known to damage the kidneys in dogs. Note that peace lilies and calla lilies are not true lilies and cause mouth irritation instead, while lily of the valley is a different and dangerous plant for both cats and dogs.

How to recognize it

True lilies have large trumpet- or star-shaped flowers with six petals and prominent stamens full of orange or brown pollen, on tall leafy stems. Daylilies have similar flowers that each last a day, with long grass-like leaves growing from the base. Both are common in bouquets; in a home with cats, remove any lily from flower arrangements.

Signs to watch for

  • Cats: vomiting, drooling and loss of appetite within a few hours
  • Cats: lethargy and hiding
  • Cats: increased, then decreased or no urination as the kidneys fail (after 1–3 days)
  • Dogs: occasional vomiting or diarrhea

What to do

  • If your cat has touched, chewed or licked any part of a lily, even a little pollen, go to a veterinarian immediately. Early treatment greatly improves the chance of survival.
  • Do not wait for symptoms; the first signs can look mild.
  • Cat households should not keep true lilies or daylilies at all, including in bouquets. Check flower arrangements you receive as gifts.

Pet-safe alternatives

Looking for something similar without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Related plants

← All plants

Sources

  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List (dogs, cats).
  • Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.