Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Red Lily - what should I do?
Lilium umbellatum
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, excessive drooling, and signs of kidney failure.
Escalation note
Ingestion of any part of the plant, including pollen or water from the vase, can lead to acute kidney failure. This is a medical emergency; contact a veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.
First aid at home
Bring the plant — or a clear phone photo of it — with you to the clinic so the vet can confirm the species. Do not wait for symptoms before seeking care.
What to watch for
Earliest signs are decreased activity, drooling, vomiting, and loss of appetite, often within 0 to 12 hours of contact. By 12 to 24 hours look for increased urination then dehydration; by 24 to 72 hours untreated cats develop kidney failure and may stop urinating altogether.
Time window
Early GI signs appear within 0 to 12 hours; signs of kidney damage follow at 12 to 24 hours; untreated kidney failure typically develops within 24 to 72 hours and is often fatal. Cats started on IV fluid diuresis within 18 hours of exposure have the best prognosis.
When to call the vet
Call immediately. Any time you see your cat chew, lick, or even brush against this plant, contact your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 the same hour. Treatment started within 18 hours has the best chance of preventing irreversible kidney damage.
What this means for your cat
Cats face a true emergency with this plant — true lilies in the Lilium genus can cause fatal kidney failure even from tiny exposures, including chewing leaves, licking pollen off fur, or drinking from the vase water. There is no 'mild' case of true-lily ingestion in cats; treat any contact as urgent and don't wait for symptoms.
Sources: ASPCA.
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.