Are Lilies Poisonous to Cats?

Yes. Every part of a true lily or day lily can poison a cat, so call your vet at once if your cat has had any contact, even if it seems fine.

Quick Answer

Yes, lilies are extremely poisonous to cats and can cause kidney damage, kidney failure and death.
All species of Lilium (true lilies) and Hemerocallis (day lilies) are dangerous, and every part of the plant is toxic: the leaves, flowers, stem and pollen.
A very small amount can be fatal, such as less than one leaf, part of a flower, some pollen, or water from a vase holding cut lilies.
If your cat may have eaten or licked any part of a lily, or has pollen on its fur, contact your vet immediately, even if your cat seems fine. Never wait for symptoms to develop.
Do not try to make your cat sick or treat it yourself at home.

Are lilies poisonous to cats? Yes, and there is no doubt about it. Lilies are extremely poisonous to cats, and the poison can damage the kidneys.

If you think your cat has eaten, licked or brushed against any part of a lily, contact your vet immediately. Do not wait to see whether signs develop, and do not decide your cat is fine because it looks well.

Sleepy ginger tabby cat lying along the back of a grey sofa at home, where lilies poisonous to cats should never be brought in

The Lilies Poisonous to Cats

The dangerous plants are all species of Lilium, the true lilies, and Hemerocallis, the day lilies. PDSA says there are a number of different types of lily and all of them can be poisonous.

True lilies and day lilies

International Cat Care's list of named examples includes the Asiatic lily, Madonna lily, Japanese showy lily, tiger lily, Easter lily, stargazer or oriental lily, royal lily, Japanese or spotted lily, rubrum lily and western or wood lily.

Cats Protection also names the Easter lily and the tiger lily, and other members of the lily family. Blue Cross describes lilies and day lilies as one of the most toxic plants to cats.

White and tabby cat in a bell collar asleep on colourful bedding beside a green toy - indoor cats can still meet lilies poisonous to cats in cut flowers

Other plants with "lily" in the name

Many plants have lily in their name, including lily of the valley, the peace lily and the calla or arum lily. International Cat Care says these plants may have different toxic effects, and its lily warning covers only Lilium and Hemerocallis.

PDSA says peace lilies are slightly less dangerous than true lilies, but are also toxic. Blue Cross lists the peace lily and lily of the valley as less toxic than lilies but still able to cause problems for your cat if eaten, and advises keeping your cat away from the whole plant.

None of this means these plants are safe. If your cat has eaten any of them, contact your vet.

"Pollen-free" and trimmed lilies

Some lilies are sold as pollen-free, but they are not safe for cats. All parts of the plant are toxic, not just the pollen.

Animal PoisonLine also says that cutting off the stamens, the pollen-bearing parts, will not safeguard your cat.

Which Parts of the Plant Are Dangerous

Every part of the lilies poisonous to cats is toxic. That includes the leaves, flowers, stem and pollen.

A very small amount can be fatal. International Cat Care says this applies to less than one leaf, part of a flower, some pollen, or even drinking water from a vase holding cut lilies. Cats Protection also warns that licking pollen off the fur or drinking vase water is enough for a potentially fatal reaction.

The toxin has not been identified, and the reason cats are so susceptible is not known. Animal PoisonLine says it damages the cells in the kidneys.

How Cats Are Exposed to Lilies

Pollen on fur and paws

Cats Protection says most cats are wary of eating anything unusual, and that when a cat becomes unwell from a plant it is usually because something has brushed onto its fur or paws and been swallowed while grooming.

With lilies, this often means a cat brushes past a flower, pollen falls onto its fur, and the cat later licks it off.

Vase water and nibbling

Water from a vase of cut lilies is also a risk. Cats can also be poisoned by eating a leaf or part of a flower.

Animal PoisonLine has reports of cats that died after playing with the empty box that lilies were delivered in.

Indoor cats, kittens and cats that roam

Indoor cats, especially kittens, may be more likely to investigate flowers and arrangements. Because kittens are small, a relatively small amount can cause toxicity.

For cats that roam, removing lilies from your own house and garden is no guarantee that they will not meet lilies elsewhere.

Signs of Lily Poisoning

Do not wait for these signs before you act. Lily poisoning often goes unnoticed, which delays treatment. Early signs usually appear within a few hours of exposure and can include:

Vomiting (our guide to why a cat is vomiting covers other causes).
Drooling (see why a cat is drooling).
Not eating, or a loss of appetite.
Lethargy and weakness.
Drinking and peeing more.
Twitching or seizures.

Kidney failure can take longer to develop, often a few days. It can bring increased and then reduced urine output, more vomiting, depression, thirst, painful kidneys and convulsions. Our guide on how to know if your cat has kidney disease covers kidney problems in general.

Emergency: Contact a Vet Immediately If…

Your cat may have eaten, chewed or licked any part of a lily, or drunk water from a vase holding lilies.
There is lily pollen on your cat's fur or paws, or your cat has brushed against a lily.
You think your cat has been in contact with a lily, even if you did not see it lick or eat the plant.
Your cat seems completely well. Contact your vet anyway, and do not wait for symptoms to develop.
Your cat is vomiting, drooling, not eating, lethargic or weak, drinking or peeing more, twitching, having seizures or has collapsed.

Call your vet or the nearest out-of-hours emergency vet straight away and say it may be lily poisoning. Treat it as an emergency.

When to Contact Your Vet

You think your cat has come into contact with any poisonous plant, even if you did not see it lick or eat it.
Your cat has eaten or licked a peace lily, lily of the valley or any other plant with lily in its name.
You are not sure whether the plant your cat touched is one of the lilies poisonous to cats, or whether your cat touched it at all.
Your cat seems unwell at any point after being near lilies.

Early treatment can improve your cat's outlook. Waiting to see whether symptoms appear can cost valuable time.

What to Do Straight Away

Contact your vet immediately and ask for an emergency appointment. Then, while you are getting your cat to the vet:

Move your cat away from the source of the poison.
If there is pollen on its coat, tell your vet and follow their instructions. International Cat Care says to try to stop a poisoned cat grooming itself further, and that any washing of the coat should be done under instruction from your veterinary team.
If possible, take the plant, the plant label or the packaging with you, and make a note of the time your cat came into contact with it and any signs.

It helps your vet to know which plant it was, roughly how much your cat may have eaten, when it happened and what signs your cat is showing.

What Not to Do

Do not try to make your cat vomit, and do not use salt water. This is dangerous.
Do not try to treat or medicate your cat yourself. Home remedies such as milk, peanut butter, vegetable oil or salt can cause more harm than good.
Do not wait for symptoms to develop.
Do not assume your cat is safe because the lily was pollen-free, had its stamens cut off, or your cat only licked a little.

What Happens at the Vet

Your vet will make a diagnosis from the signs your cat is showing, its history of exposure to lilies and blood tests. On examination the kidneys may feel enlarged and painful.

Treatment is given in hospital and is supportive. It can include emptying the stomach, activated charcoal, cleaning pollen from the coat, and a drip to flush out toxins and support the kidneys.

The outlook depends on how quickly your cat is treated. Cats that are treated quickly tend to have a good outlook, but if treatment is not given quickly, lily poisoning can be fatal.

Some cats that survive have permanent kidney damage that needs lifelong management. PDSA adds that a recovered cat may have a small amount of kidney damage that could cause signs later in life, and that this can be well managed in most cases.

Keeping Lilies Away From Your Cat

The advice from the UK sources is simple. If you have a cat, do not have lilies in your home or garden.

Check bouquets and remove any lilies before bringing flowers into your home.
Check flower labels for warnings about toxicity to animals.
Tell other cat owners not to keep cut lilies, and avoid sending bouquets that contain lilies to people who own cats.

Other Plants Named as Hazardous

Lilies are not the only plant to worry about. This is a short list only, not a full guide.

Cats Protection names peonies, daffodils and tulips among hazardous cut flowers. Vets Now adds amaryllis, chrysanthemums, hyacinths, cyclamen, foxglove and crocus, and International Cat Care names Dieffenbachia as especially dangerous. If your cat may have eaten any plant, ring your vet for advice.

How Pet Med Direct Can Help

Pet Med Direct is not a substitute for emergency veterinary care. If your cat may have had contact with a lily, call your vet first.

If your vet later prescribes a medicine for your cat, you can find out how pet prescriptions work or browse our cat medication range.

Some pet medicines require a valid veterinary prescription. Pet Med Direct can only supply prescription medicines after the prescription has been checked. Always follow your vet's advice and the directions on the medicine label.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all lilies poisonous to cats?

All Lilium and Hemerocallis lilies are. Other plants called lilies may have different effects, but the peace lily and lily of the valley are still listed as harmful, so contact your vet if your cat has eaten any lily.

Are pollen-free lilies poisonous to cats?

Yes. A pollen-free lily is not safe, because all parts of the plant are toxic, not only the pollen.

What if my cat only drank the vase water?

Treat it as an emergency. Drinking water from a vase holding cut lilies can be fatal, so contact your vet immediately.

How fast do signs of lily poisoning appear?

Early signs usually appear within a few hours. Kidney failure can take longer to develop, often a few days, so a lack of signs at first is no reason to wait.

Should I wait to see if my cat is ill?

No. Contact a vet at once, even if your cat has no symptoms. Never watch and wait.

Related Cat Health Guides

Sources and Further Reading

This article was researched from the sources listed above. It is general information for cat owners and is not a substitute for advice from your own vet.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice.
If you are concerned about your cat’s health, please consult a qualified veterinarian.