Question 1

Which lilies are poisonous to cats?

Accepted Answer

True lilies in the genus Lilium (Easter, Asiatic, tiger, stargazer, Oriental) and daylilies in the genus Hemerocallis cause fatal acute kidney failure in cats, with no safe dose. Lily of the valley is not a true lily but is also dangerous, affecting the heart. Peace lilies, calla lilies, and Peruvian lilies are not true lilies and usually cause only mouth and stomach irritation.

Question 2

My cat brushed against lily pollen — is that dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Yes, potentially. For true lilies and daylilies there is no safe amount. A cat that gets pollen on its fur and then grooms it off, or drinks water from a vase that held lilies, can develop fatal kidney failure. Treat any exposure to a true lily as an emergency and contact a vet or poison control immediately.

Question 3

Are peace lilies and calla lilies toxic to cats?

Accepted Answer

Peace lilies, calla lilies, and Peruvian lilies are not true lilies and do not cause kidney failure. They contain irritating crystals that can cause drooling, pawing at the mouth, and vomiting. This is usually not life-threatening, but call a vet if symptoms are severe, if there is swelling or trouble breathing, or if you are unsure which plant it was.

Question 4

How quickly do I need to act if my cat ate a true lily?

Accepted Answer

Immediately. Cats may seem fine at first, but kidney failure develops over 24 to 72 hours, and treatment works best when started within the first 18 hours. Go to the nearest open veterinary hospital and call ahead, or call an animal poison control line such as the ASPCA (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).

Did your cat get into a lily?