Daylily

Yes, daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are highly toxic to cats. Every part of the plant — flowers, leaves, stems, and pollen — can cause acute kidney failure. This is one of the most dangerous plants a cat can encounter, and even small exposures are a medical emergency.

Early signs appear within 0–12 hours and include drooling, vomiting, lethargy, and refusal to eat. As kidney damage sets in between 12–24 hours, you may notice increased thirst, increased urination, or dehydration. Without treatment, kidney failure typically follows within 24–72 hours of ingestion.

Call a vet or poison control immediately — do not wait for symptoms. Contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 if your vet isn't reachable. Treatment delayed beyond roughly 18 hours after ingestion is far less likely to prevent permanent kidney damage, and there is no antidote.

Any amount is dangerous. Even small ingestions — a few petals, a leaf, or pollen licked off fur — are enough to trigger acute kidney failure in cats. There is no known safe threshold, which is why any suspected exposure warrants an immediate call to your vet or a poison control hotline.

Daylilies are not listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA, though their classification remains uncertain. Unlike cats, for whom daylilies are highly dangerous, dogs are not known to face serious toxicity from this plant.

Mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea may occur if your dog ingests daylily plant material. Specific toxic effects beyond GI irritation are not well documented for dogs.

Monitor your dog for vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy. If symptoms appear or persist, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for guidance.

Yes — daylilies are considered highly dangerous to cats, capable of causing kidney failure, but they are not classified as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA. Dogs may experience mild digestive upset at most, though this distinction is based on limited data and the classification remains uncertain.