Are lilies poisonous to cats? Certain types of lilies are more poisonous to cats than others. Knowing them apart will help save your feline friend’s life from immediate danger.
In this article, we will talk about which parts of lilies are toxic to your cat and how much it will take for them to induce poisoning.
Most Poisonous Types of Lilies to Cats
Numerous flowers have “lily” in their name, but they are not actually a part of the lily family. Distinguishing them from each other helps determine which plant varieties should be really off-limits to cats.
So, what kinds of lilies are poisonous to cats? Flowers belonging to the true lily (Lilium ssp.) and daylily (Hemerocallis ssp.) species are poisonous to cats. They are also considered the deadliest since they contain an unknown toxin that can cause acute kidney failure.
Although experts have yet to identify what makes these lilies poisonous to felines, they theorize that the flowers produce a metabolite that causes kidney damage in cats. The way cats metabolize food is also believed to play a part in inducing toxicity.
With that out of the way, let us answer the following questions related to this topic.
Are stargazer lilies poisonous to cats?
Yes. Stargazer lilies (Lilium ‘Stargazer’) are true lilies, making them poisonous to cats. They can be severely destructive to your feline friend’s kidneys when ingested.Are oriental lilies poisonous to cats?
Yes. Oriental lilies (Lilium Orientalis) can induce poisoning in cats since they belong to the true lily species. Eating them can potentially result in renal failure.Other true lilies to watch out for are:
- Asiatic lily (Lilium asiaticum)
- Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum)
- Japanese Show lily (Lilium speciosum)
- Rubrum lily (Lilium speciosum rubrum)
- Wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum or umbellatum)
Are tiger lilies poisonous to cats?
Yes. Tiger lilies (Lilium tigrinum or lancifolium) are poisonous to cats. Like the other flowers of the true lily species, the tiger lily can cause irreversible kidney damage.
Specific Parts of Lilies Toxic to Felines
Are all parts of lilies poisonous to cats? The answer is yes. One thing that makes true lilies and daylilies extremely lethal to cats is the presence of toxins in all of their plant parts. These include their:
- Flowers
- Pollen
- Stamen
- Stems
Many cat owners ask: “Are lily leaves poisonous to cats?” Yes, lily leaves are no exception. They also contain poisonous substances that can cause severe toxicity in cats.
Even drinking water contaminated with any of the lily plant’s parts may result in poisoning. Another common way this deadly condition occurs on cats is through accidentally ingesting lily pollen stuck on their fur while grooming.
Another frequently asked question is: “What happens if a cat smells a lily?” Smelling a lily may lead your cat to inhale the plant’s pollen. There is a likelihood that poisoning will take place if it manages to enter her system through her nose,
Other Dangerous Lily Species to Cats
Beware that some lily plants are toxic to cats even if they do not belong to the true lily and daylily family. For instance, Peruvian lilies (Alstroemeria) produce a toxin that can cause gastric distress when consumed in large quantities.
On the other hand, the poison lily or lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) has a naturally occurring compound known to affect heart function. If ingested by cats, it can trigger abnormal heartbeat, low blood pressure, and in worst cases, seizures and coma.
In connection to this discussion, we provide answers to these commonly asked questions:
Are peace lilies poisonous to cats?
Yes. Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum wallisii) are poisonous to cats but to a lesser degree than true lilies and daylilies. Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals found within this plant can irritate the skin.Cats that consumed peace lilies may experience hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth pains, and swollen tongue and airways. Severe cases of toxicity can make breathing difficult for felines.
Are calla lilies poisonous to cats?
Yes. Similar to peace lilies, calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) are mildly toxic to cats. They also contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause skin and mouth irritation.Are water lilies poisonous to cats?
Certain types of water lilies are potentially poisonous to cats, particularly yellow and tuberous water lilies. Vomiting, diarrhea, and depression may occur if felines ingest them.That said, do not let your pet munch on non-toxic water lilies, as their plant matter is difficult to digest. They can upset her stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Are gloriosa lilies poisonous to cats?
Yes. The roots and tubers of gloriosa lilies (Gloriosa superba) are extremely poisonous to cats. They contain colchicine alkaloids, which can destroy your pet’s blood cells, resulting in multi-organ failure.
Deadly Amounts of Lily to Cats
How much lily can hurt a cat? Ingesting small amounts of any true lily or daylily plant parts can be life-threatening to cats. The same can be said for lilies of the valley, gloriosa lilies, and poisonous varieties of water lilies.
Other lily varieties like Peruvian lilies, calla lilies, and peace lilies are unlikely to cause severe lily cat poisoning if eaten in small quantities. Regardless, it would be safer for your cat not to get her paws on any of them.
Symptoms of Lily Poisoning in Cats
Spotting the clinical signs of lily cat poisoning early is very crucial in saving your feline friend’s life from fatality. If the toxicity is not addressed within 18 hours after ingestion, permanent kidney failure may occur.
Early symptoms of lily cat poisoning:
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Hypersalivation
- Vomiting
These clinical signs typically manifest within 12 hours after ingesting any toxic lily.
Severe symptoms of lily cat poisoning:
- Increased urination
- Dehydration
Both of these clinical signs indicate that your cat is experiencing kidney damage. They typically appear 12-24 hours after ingestion. Without prompt veterinary care, onset seizures and death are inevitable.
If you are wondering, “What if my cat eats a lily?” the first thing you should do is thoroughly wipe down your cat’s entire body to remove any pollen.
Then, place the lily she has eaten in a plastic bag and bring it to the vet. This will help determine which part of the plant she ate and how much she ingested.
Treatment of Lily Poisoning in Cats
The treatment options for a cat with lily poisoning depend on the timeliness of hospitalization and the severity of the condition.
Induce Vomiting
If lily cat poisoning is caught early, the vet might induce vomiting in your pet. This is done to expel any part of a lily within her system.
Activated Charcoal
A thick liquid containing activated charcoal will be administered to bind with the lily plant’s toxins. It prevents these harmful compounds from getting absorbed into your cat’s body.
Fluid Therapy
Aggressive fluid therapy will be performed on your cat after 24 hours of ingestion. It prevents her from becoming further dehydrated, flushes out remaining toxins from her system, and keeps kidney failure from occurring.
Dialysis
Severe cases of lily cat poisoning may require dialysis to increase your pet’s chance of survival. This treatment involves the use of a machine that aids in purifying her bloodstream, allowing the kidneys to recover.
Unfortunately, dialysis is very expensive and does not guarantee that your cat will live.
Lily Cat Poisoning Prognosis
The prognosis of lily cat poisoning relies on the promptness of treatment. If this deadly condition is not addressed within 18 hours of ingestion, affected cats will likely succumb to kidney failure. On the other hand, felines that are taken to the vet immediately have a good chance of recovering from toxicity.
