Cats
Potentially toxicConsulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Sources
cat safety reference
Is Daylily safe for cats?
Hemerocallis spp.
Day lilies are popular garden perennials known for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms. While beautiful, they are highly dangerous to cats and should be kept strictly out of reach.
DaylilyHemerocallisHemerocallis spp.Tiger Lily
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Habit
- Clumping herbaceous perennial
- Care
- Low
Safety status
What this means for your cat
Daylilies are an emergency for cats. Even small exposures — a few licked petals, pollen groomed off the fur, or a sip of water from a vase — can cause acute kidney failure within days. Treat any suspected ingestion as urgent.
What to watch for
Early signs (within 0–12 hours) are drooling, vomiting, lethargy, and refusal to eat. As kidney damage progresses (12–24 hours) you may see increased thirst, increased urination, or dehydration. Without treatment, kidney failure typically follows within 24–72 hours.
Time window
Early signs 0–12 hours, kidney damage 12–24 hours, kidney failure 24–72 hours after ingestion. There is no antidote — outcome depends heavily on how quickly treatment begins.
When to call the vet
Call immediately — within hours of any suspected exposure. Treatment delayed beyond about 18 hours after ingestion is far less likely to prevent permanent kidney damage. Use ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) if your veterinarian isn't reachable.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.
Cats — concern notes
Common signs
Vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and signs of kidney failure such as increased thirst and urination.
Escalation note
Ingestion of any part of the plant can cause acute kidney failure in cats. This is a medical emergency; contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately if ingestion is suspected.
Safer alternatives
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Source evidence
ASPCA Toxic Plant List
toxicology · 99% reliability
Day lily is toxic to cats, causing kidney failure.
Kew Plants of the World Online
botanical · 95% reliability
Accepted scientific classification for the genus Hemerocallis.
Questions about Daylily
Are daylilies toxic to cats?
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.
What are the symptoms of daylily poisoning in cats?
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.
What should I do if my cat ate a daylily?
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.
How much of a daylily is dangerous to a cat?
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.
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