Is Peace Lily Toxic to Cats and Dogs?

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) is mildly toxic to both cats and dogs.

Why

The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is not a member of the true lily family. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, like pothos and philodendron, which cause mouth and throat irritation when chewed.

This matters for cat owners: true lilies such as Easter or stargazer lilies can be fatal to cats, while peace lilies generally cause only local irritation. If you are not sure which lily your cat chewed, treat it as an emergency.

How to recognize it

The peace lily has glossy, dark green lance-shaped leaves surrounding white, spoon-shaped "flowers", which are actually a modified leaf called a spathe wrapped around a central spike. Despite its name, it is not a true lily.

Signs to watch for

• Drooling
• Pawing at the mouth
• Vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing

What to do

• Rinse the mouth with water and offer a cool drink.
• If you cannot identify the lily with certainty, contact a veterinarian immediately.
• Keep the plant out of reach of pets that chew leaves.

How can I tell a peace lily from a true lily?

Telling a peace lily from a true lily is the question that matters most for cat owners, because a true lily can cause kidney failure and a peace lily does not.

Peace lilies also bloom repeatedly and are sold year round, so they turn up as sympathy and office gifts far more often than true lilies in pots.

• Peace lily: one white or cream hood (the spathe) around a spike, with no separate petals. Leaves grow from the soil in a clump.
• True lily (Lilium) or daylily (Hemerocallis): six petals, long stamens heavy with orange or yellow pollen, and leaves along a tall stem or in grassy clumps.
• Peace lilies are sold as potted houseplants. True lilies usually arrive in bouquets, as spring potted gifts or in gardens.

Which other "lilies" are not true lilies?

Calla lily (Zantedeschia) is another aroid with calcium oxalate crystals, so it behaves much like a peace lily. Lily of the valley is not a true lily either, but it is dangerous for a different reason: it contains cardiac glycosides that affect the heart.

Because the word "lily" covers plants with very different risks, the FDA advises cat owners to treat any lily exposure seriously. If you cannot name the plant, take a photo and call a vet.

Is the peace lily's pollen or water dangerous?

True lily pollen is a known danger to cats, even the small amount a cat licks off its fur. Peace lily pollen is not linked to that kind of kidney damage. The concern with a peace lily is the leaves and flower being chewed.

Peace lilies droop when thirsty and are often kept with water in a saucer. Cats sometimes drink from saucers. There is no established toxin in that water, but it can hold fertilizer residue, so give your cat its own fresh water and empty the saucer after watering.

Pet-safe alternatives

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

• Non-toxicCalathea (prayer plant)
• Non-toxicSpider plant

Common questions

Is peace lily poisonous to pets?

Cats: Mildly toxic. Dogs: Mildly toxic. The peace lily is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Peace lilies irritate the mouth but, unlike true lilies, do not cause kidney failure in cats.

Is it safe to keep peace lily in a home with cats and dogs?

Yes, as long as your pets cannot reach it. Keep the plant out of reach of pets that chew leaves.

What should I do if my pet chews peace lily?

Rinse the mouth with water and offer a cool drink. If you cannot identify the lily with certainty, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Which pet-safe plants can I grow instead of peace lily?

Calathea and spider plant are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

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Sources

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Lovely Lilies and Curious Cats: A Dangerous Combination.
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List (dogs, cats).
• Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.

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).