Lily

Yes — true lilies (Lilium species) are extremely toxic to cats. Even a small amount of pollen, a few petals, or water from a vase can cause acute kidney failure. The ASPCA classifies them as potentially toxic with a confidence of 0.97, and ingestion should be treated as a life-threatening emergency.

Early signs appear within 0–12 hours and include drooling, vomiting, decreased activity, and loss of appetite — and are easy to miss. By 12–24 hours, kidney injury sets in and you may see increased thirst and frequent urination. Without treatment, cats can progress to producing no urine at all, severe lethargy, or seizures within 24–72 hours, indicating advanced kidney failure.

The treatment window is roughly 18 hours from ingestion — after that, kidney damage is often irreversible. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before acting; call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) and head to an emergency clinic immediately, even if your cat seems fine right now.

Gently wipe or wash the pollen off immediately so your cat cannot groom it down and ingest it, then go to a veterinary clinic right away. Do not try to induce vomiting on your own — call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) first. Bring a piece of the plant or a clear photo so the vet can confirm the species.

Lilies are classified as uncertain in toxicity for dogs — they don't cause the acute kidney failure in dogs that they do in cats, but they can cause mild gastrointestinal upset including vomiting and diarrhea. Dogs should still be kept away from all parts of the plant.

GI signs such as vomiting, drooling, hypersalivation, and mild diarrhea typically appear within a few hours. Dogs may also paw at their face or develop transient swelling of the lips or oral cavity. Symptoms generally resolve within 24–48 hours with hydration and supportive care.

Monitor for repeated vomiting, persistent drooling, oral swelling, or a hoarse change in voice, and call your vet if those appear. If your dog ate a bulb, there is also a GI obstruction risk — especially in small dogs — which can cause delayed signs over 1–3 days. In any case of concern, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Yes — swallowing a whole bulb poses a physical GI obstruction risk in addition to stomach irritation, particularly in small dogs, with obstructive signs potentially developing over the 1–3 days following ingestion. If your dog ate a bulb rather than just a leaf or petal, contact your vet promptly.