Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Orange Day Lily - what should I do?
Hemerocallis graminea
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, lethargy, loss of appetite, and potential acute kidney failure.
Escalation note
Ingestion of any part of the plant can be fatal to cats. If ingestion is suspected, contact a veterinarian or emergency animal poison control immediately.
First aid at home
Wipe off any pollen on your cat's fur, deny access to the plant and any vase water, and bring a sample of the plant with you to the vet. Outcome depends almost entirely on aggressive IV fluid therapy started early — don't stop to attempt home decontamination.
What to watch for
Vomiting, lethargy, and refusal to eat appear first, often with dehydration. As kidney injury develops, watch for changes in urination (too little or too much), excessive thirst or refusal to drink, and continued vomiting.
Time window
Early GI signs typically appear within 6-12 hours of exposure. Kidney damage develops over 24-72 hours, and treatment delayed more than about 18 hours after ingestion is generally too late to prevent irreversible kidney failure.
When to call the vet
Call immediately — there is no safe waiting period. Even suspected exposure (pollen on fur, drinking from a vase, chewing a leaf) is grounds for an emergency vet visit or a call to ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435).
What this means for your cat
Day lilies (Hemerocallis) are a true emergency for cats — even a few licks of pollen, a chewed petal, or water from the vase can cause acute kidney failure. Cats are the only species known to be affected this way; the toxic principle hasn't been fully identified, but the outcome is well documented.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.