Are lilies toxic to cats?

Are lilies toxic to cats? Yes, and seriously so. True lilies and daylilies can cause sudden kidney failure in cats, and it doesn't take much. A bite of a leaf, a lick of pollen off their fur or a sip of vase water can be enough.

Which lilies are toxic to cats?

The dangerous ones are true lilies (genus Lilium) and daylilies (genus Hemerocallis). The FDA lists these common ones:

• Easter lily
• Tiger lily
• Asiatic lily
• Stargazer lily
• Oriental lily
• Rubrum lily
• Japanese show lily
• Wood lily
• Daylily

Pet Poison Helpline adds Madonna and Western lilies. "Pollen-free" lilies are still dangerous, because the whole plant is toxic.

Why are lilies toxic to cats?

Researchers haven't pinned down the exact toxin, but the effect is well documented: something in true lilies and daylilies damages the kidneys in cats specifically. Other animals, including dogs, don't react the same way. That's why the answer to "are lilies toxic to cats" is a firm yes, even though the same bouquet is mostly harmless to your dog.

Which parts of a lily are toxic to cats?

All of them: petals, leaves, stems, pollen, roots and even the water in the vase. Cats often get exposed by brushing past a bouquet and then grooming the pollen off their fur. Cornell notes that even one bite can be dangerous.

Lily poisoning symptoms in cats

Signs usually follow this timeline, based on FDA guidance:

Early signs can fade, which fools people into thinking the cat is fine. Don't wait for symptoms to get worse.

Treatment: why every hour counts

The FDA and ASPCA both point to an 18-hour window. If treatment starts later than that, kidney damage is often permanent. A vet may make your cat vomit, give activated charcoal and start IV fluids for 2 to 3 days while checking kidney bloodwork. Cats treated early usually do well. Cats treated late have a much harder road.

Lilies that aren't kidney-toxic (but still aren't safe)

• Peace lily and calla lily aren't true lilies. They can cause mouth pain, drooling and vomiting, but not kidney failure.
• Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria) usually causes only mild stomach upset.
• Lily of the valley is a different danger. It affects the heart, and it's serious. Call your vet for this one too.

Are lilies toxic to dogs?

Much less so. In dogs, true lilies usually cause only minor stomach upset, according to the FDA. Still, call your vet if your dog ate a lot of any plant. For foods, check our dog food checker.

What to do if your cat touched a lily

1. Get your cat away from the plant and gently wipe any pollen off their fur and face with a damp cloth so they don't groom it off.
2. Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away, even if your cat seems fine.
3. Call a pet poison line if you can't reach a vet. They can tell the clinic exactly what to do.
4. Bring the plant or a photo so the vet can confirm the type.
5. Don't wait for symptoms. By the time kidney signs show up, the best window for treatment may have passed.

How to keep your cat safe

• Skip lilies in bouquets if you have a cat, and ask friends not to send them.
• Check holiday arrangements, especially around Easter and Mother's Day.
• Tell your pet sitter. It's on every good pet sitter checklist, and DearSitter adds it to your cat's "never give" list automatically.

Frequently asked questions