Cat Toxic plants
Are lilies toxic to cats?
Yes. True lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) are toxic to cats and can be fatal.
Cats: Toxic: can be severe According to ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Pet Poison Helpline, International Cat Care and US Food and Drug Administration.1234
Which parts are toxic
Every part: leaves, flowers, stem and pollen, and the water in the vase.234
Even a little is dangerous: a bite of a leaf or a petal can be enough.345
A pollen-free lily is still toxic to cats: every part of the plant is, not only the pollen.234
Signs, and how soon
Why time matters
Call as soon as you think your cat may have eaten any part of a lily, licked its pollen or drunk the vase water. Do not wait for signs.234
Early treatment greatly improves a cat's chances. Once 18 hours or more have passed before treatment starts, the kidney damage is usually permanent and often fatal.345
Which lilies
True lilies and daylilies include the Easter, tiger, Asiatic, Oriental and stargazer lilies.235 Lilies in the lookup, for cats and dogs
Many other plants are called lilies. They are not true lilies or daylilies, and they harm cats in other ways.34 Each has its own answer and its own sources:
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Lily of the valley Convallaria majalis
Cats: Toxic: can be severe
- Signs
- Vomiting, not eating, an irregular or slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, weakness, confusion and fits. It can be fatal.
- How soon
- Usually within the first 2 hours.
Sources:
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Peace lily Spathiphyllum spp.
Cats: Toxic: usually mild
- Signs
- Mouth pain and burning, drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Rarely the throat swells enough to make breathing hard. It is not a true lily and does not damage the kidneys.
- How soon
- Straight away on chewing.
Sources:
-
Calla lily (arum lily) Zantedeschia aethiopica
Cats: Toxic: usually mild
- Signs
- Mouth pain and burning, drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Rarely the throat swells enough to make breathing hard. It is not a true lily and does not damage the kidneys.
- How soon
- Straight away on chewing.
Sources:
Lilies in a home with a cat
If you have a cat, keep true lilies and daylilies out of your home and garden.345
Lilies are common in bouquets. If you are sending flowers to a home with a cat, ask for a bouquet without lilies.34
What this page can't tell you
- How much is too much. We never give an amount: call your vet or a pet poison line and tell them what your cat ate, how much and when.
- Which plant you have. If you are not sure it is a lily, or which one, take it or a photo to your vet.
- Plants called lily that are not on this page. We cannot tell you about those; call your vet or a pet poison line.
- What your vet will do. Treatment is your vet's decision; this page does not describe it.
Sources
Every fact on this page cites at least two veterinary sources from different publishers.
- Plant list: Lily, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Read .
- Poison list: Lilies, Pet Poison Helpline. Read .
- Lily poisoning in cats, International Cat Care. Read .
- Lovely Lilies and Curious Cats: A Dangerous Combination, US Food and Drug Administration. Read .
- Which Lilies Are Toxic to Pets?, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Read .
These sources were read on . Next check by . Spotted a mistake? Corrections · Tell us
More
- Is it toxic to my cat or dog? 43 plants, foods, medicines and household products, each with its sources.
- Lilies and dogs: the sources disagree; the lookup shows who says what.
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