Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Lily of the Valley - what should I do?
Convallaria majalis
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Vomiting, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, disorientation, and potential seizures.
Escalation note
This plant is considered highly toxic. Ingestion of any part of the plant can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.
What to watch for
Earliest: vomiting, drooling, and lethargy. Quickly progressing to slow or irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, disorientation, weakness, and in severe cases seizures or collapse. Heart and GI signs together after garden access are a major red flag.
Time window
Pet Poison Helpline reports clinical signs typically begin within the first 2 hours after exposure and can persist 4–5 days during treatment.
When to call the vet
Call your vet, ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435), or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately — do not wait for symptoms to worsen. ECG monitoring and supportive care are usually required.
What this means for your cat
Lily of the valley is a cardiac emergency for cats — not a stomach-ache plant. Every part (leaves, flowers, berries, and the vase water) contains cardiac glycosides that disrupt heart rhythm. Treat any suspected ingestion as urgent, even if your cat seems fine right now.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.