Lilies and Cats: What Every Pet Parent Should Know

Last year, Joy, one of our cats, chewed on a lily we had in a vase at home. Our security camera caught him in the act, and the bite marks are in this post's photo. That same evening he was at the vet, where they kept him overnight on IV fluids. He pulled through.

Joy in his carrier on the exam table at the vet that evening.

If lilies being dangerous to cats is news to you, you're not alone. In one study, 73% of owners whose cats were exposed to a lily didn't know the plant was toxic.

Why lilies are so dangerous to cats

According to the FDA, every part of a true lily or daylily is toxic to cats: the stem, leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the water in the vase. It doesn't take much. Pet Poison Helpline says just 2 or 3 leaves, or pollen a cat licks off its own fur, can be enough.

The damage hits the kidneys. Untreated, it leads to kidney failure that can be fatal. It is a cat problem: the FDA says dogs that eat lilies may get an upset stomach, but they don't develop kidney failure.

Which lilies are the problem

• The dangerous ones: Easter, tiger, Asiatic, Oriental, Stargazer and Japanese show lilies, plus daylilies. True lilies are common in bouquets and flower arrangements.
• Calla and peace lilies: not true lilies, and they don't cause kidney failure, but they can irritate a cat's mouth and throat.
• Lily of the valley: not a true lily either, but the FDA says it is very dangerous to cats and dogs.

Not sure which kind your cat got into? Treat it as an emergency and let the vet sort it out.

Signs of lily poisoning

Signs often show up within 6 to 12 hours and can include:

• Vomiting
• Not eating
• Low energy or hiding
• Drinking and peeing a lot, or not at all

Here's the trap: a cat can seem to act normal again after the first day while the kidney damage is setting in. Don't wait for signs.

What to do right now

1. Get your cat away from the plant, and get the plant out of the house.
2. Call your vet or an emergency vet right away, even if your cat seems fine. Don't wait for office hours.
3. Don't make your cat vomit unless the vet tells you to.
4. Take a photo of the plant or bring a piece of it, so the vet knows what kind of lily it is.

Time is everything. Pet Poison Helpline says IV fluids should ideally start within 18 hours. The FDA says that if treatment is delayed 18 hours or more, the cat will generally have kidney failure that can't be reversed. Joy was on IV fluids the same night.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435, available 24/7. A consultation fee may apply.
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661, available 24/7. A consultation fee may apply.

How to keep lilies away from cats

• If you have a cat, don't bring true lilies or daylilies into the house.
• Check every bouquet before it comes inside, gifts included, and ask your florist to leave lilies out.
• Watch flower holidays. Pet Poison Helpline's lily calls spike around Mother's Day.
• Skip daylilies in the yard if your cat spends time outside.
• Not sure about a plant? Check the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant list.

The bottom line

A lily in a vase looks harmless. For a cat, a few bites can be life or death. Keep lilies out of the house, and if your cat gets into one, go to the vet tonight, not tomorrow.

Related: Cane Toads and Dogs: What Every Florida Pet Parent Should Know · Foods That Are Toxic to Pets

This guide is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If you think your cat has chewed, licked or eaten any part of a lily, call your veterinarian or an emergency vet right away.