Orange Day Lily

Yes, orange day lilies (Hemerocallis graminea) are highly toxic to cats — ingestion of any part of the plant, including pollen or vase water, can be fatal. Even minor exposure such as pollen on the fur that a cat grooms off is considered grounds for an emergency vet visit.

Early signs include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite, typically appearing within 6–12 hours of exposure. Over the following 24–72 hours, kidney damage develops; watch for changes in urination (too little or too much), excessive thirst, and continued vomiting as the injury progresses.

Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately — there is no safe waiting period. Wipe any pollen off your cat's fur, deny further access to the plant and any vase water, and bring a sample of the plant to the vet. Outcome depends almost entirely on aggressive IV fluid therapy started early, so do not delay trying home decontamination.

The treatment window is very narrow: kidney damage develops over 24–72 hours, and therapy delayed more than about 18 hours after ingestion is generally too late to prevent irreversible kidney failure. Even suspected exposure — not just confirmed ingestion — warrants an immediate emergency visit.

The Orange Day Lily is not definitively listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA, but ingestion can cause mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. The toxicity classification for dogs remains uncertain, so it's best to keep the plant out of reach as a precaution.

Dogs that eat Orange Day Lily may develop mild vomiting or diarrhea, reduced appetite, or temporary lethargy. These GI symptoms typically appear within a few hours of ingestion and tend to be self-limiting, resolving within about 24 hours.

Monitor your dog closely for vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy. Call your vet if GI symptoms persist beyond 12 hours, if your dog ate a large quantity, or if you notice signs of dehydration such as sunken eyes, tacky gums, or refusal to drink. You can also contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for guidance.

Mild GI signs typically appear within a few hours of ingestion and usually resolve within 24 hours. Exact timing is not well documented for dogs, so watch your dog closely during that window and seek veterinary advice if symptoms worsen or linger.