Pet ingestion lookup

My cat ate Oriental Lily - what should I do?

Lilium orientalis

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.

Safety verdict

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Signs to watch for

Vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, excessive drooling, and signs of kidney failure.

Escalation note

Extremely dangerous; ingestion of any part of the plant can lead to acute kidney failure. Contact a veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.

First aid at home

Wipe pollen off the coat, deny access to the plant and any vase water, and head straight to a veterinary hospital with a sample of the plant. Survival depends on aggressive IV fluids started early — don't waste time on home decontamination.

What to watch for

Vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and loss of appetite are the early signs. As kidney damage develops, watch for changes in urination volume, excessive thirst or refusal to drink, and worsening vomiting and dehydration.

Time window

Early signs typically appear within 6-12 hours of exposure. Kidney injury develops within 24-72 hours, and treatment started more than 18 hours after exposure is generally too late to prevent irreversible kidney failure.

When to call the vet

Treat any exposure as an emergency. Call ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) or head to a vet immediately — even pollen on the coat or sips of vase water count.

What this means for your cat

Oriental and Stargazer lilies are highly toxic to cats. All parts of the plant — leaves, petals, pollen, and even water from the vase — can trigger acute kidney injury, and the toxic dose can be very small.

Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.

Poison-control resources

Plant identity pageOriental Lily & cats

This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.