What should I do if my cat ate Lily?

Get to a veterinary clinic now — there is no useful at-home treatment for lily exposure in cats. Do NOT try to make your cat vomit on your own; call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline first. If pollen is on the coat, gently wipe or wash it off so your cat can't groom it down. Bring a piece of the plant or a clear photo so the vet can confirm it's a true lily. Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) and head to an emergency clinic immediately — even before symptoms appear. The treatment window is roughly 18 hours from ingestion; after that, kidney damage is often irreversible. Do not wait for vomiting or lethargy to confirm it.

What should I do if my dog ate Lily?

Call your vet if vomiting is repeated, your dog ate a bulb (obstruction risk), you see persistent drooling, voice change, or oral swelling, or signs aren't resolving within several hours. When in doubt, Pet Poison Helpline is at (855) 764-7661.

Lily — Александровы АГ — Photo by Александровы АГWikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 4.0

Photo by Александровы АГWikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 4.0

Pet safety reference

Lily

Q: Is Lily safe for cats?

Lily is potentially toxic to cats. Extremely severe; ingestion of even small amounts of pollen or petals can lead to acute kidney failure. Contact a veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Q: Is Lily safe for dogs?

Lily has uncertain toxicity for dogs. While true lilies do not cause the same acute kidney failure in dogs as they do in cats, they can still cause stomach irritation. Consult a veterinarian if your dog consumes any part of the plant.

Lilium species

True lilies are highly toxic to cats, causing severe kidney damage even with minimal exposure. While data for dogs is less definitive, they should still be kept away from all parts of the plant.

Check a list

Easter LilyLilium speciesStargazer LilyTiger LilyTrue Lily

Light: Bright indirect light
Habit: Upright bulbous perennial
Care: Moderate

Safety status

Cats

Potentially toxic

Consulted 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

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

Dogs

Uncertain

Identity or evidence quality is not strong enough for a firm answer.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Sources

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

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, increased thirst, and frequent urination.

Escalation note

Extremely severe; ingestion of even small amounts of pollen or petals can lead to acute kidney failure. Contact a veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Mild gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

While true lilies do not cause the same acute kidney failure in dogs as they do in cats, they can still cause stomach irritation. Consult a veterinarian if your dog consumes any part of the plant.

Safer alternatives

Safer pick

Parlor Palm

Chamaedorea elegans

Parlor palm is pet-safe and a dramatic floor-plant alternative to cut lilies for cat homes.

Not yet rated for cats.

Generally safe for dogs.

Shop on Amazon

Safer pick

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata bostoniensis

Boston fern is a non-flowering pet-safer arrangement alternative.

Uncertain for cats.

Generally safe for dogs.

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Some links earn us a small commission. They never affect our safety classifications.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Members of the Lilium species are considered highly toxic to cats, causing kidney failure.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Lilium is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large prominent flowers.

cats safety page My cat ate Lily dogs safety page

Often compared with

Commonly confused with

Both sold as "Daylily".

Daylily

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.

Potentially toxic for cats.

Uncertain for dogs.

Same Lilium genus.

Japanese Show Lily

Lilium speciosum

Lilium speciosum is a bulbous perennial known for its fragrant, recurved petals and striking color patterns. It is highly toxic to cats, as are many members of the Lilium genus.

Potentially toxic for cats.

Uncertain for dogs.

Same Lilium genus.

Red Lily

Lilium umbellatum

Red Lily is a bulbous perennial known for its vibrant, upward-facing blooms. It is highly significant in veterinary toxicology due to the severe risk it poses to feline health.

Potentially toxic for cats.

Uncertain for dogs.

Same genus

More from the Lilium genus

Asiatic Lily

Lilium asiatica

Asian lilies are popular ornamental flowering plants known for their vibrant blooms, but they pose a significant health risk to certain pets. Ingestion of any part of the plant can lead to severe systemic issues.

Potentially toxic for cats.

Uncertain for dogs.

Oriental Lily

Lilium orientalis

The Stargazer Lily is a popular fragrant hybrid lily known for its vibrant, spotted petals. It is highly toxic to cats, even in small amounts, and should be kept strictly out of reach.

Potentially toxic for cats.

Uncertain for dogs.

Tiger Lily

Lilium tigrinum

The Tiger Lily is a bulbous perennial known for its striking orange, spotted flowers. It is highly dangerous to cats, as all parts of the plant can cause severe health complications.

Potentially toxic for cats.

Uncertain for dogs.

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

Catnip is a member of the mint family known for its stimulating effects on many cats, though ingestion of large quantities can cause gastrointestinal distress. It is generally considered safe for dogs, though it is not a standard part of their diet.

Potentially toxic for cats.

Uncertain for dogs.

Orange Day Lily

Hemerocallis graminea

The Orange Day Lily is a perennial flowering plant known for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms. While popular in gardens, it is highly dangerous to cats if ingested.

Potentially toxic for cats.

Uncertain for dogs.

Same growing conditions

Plants for the same room

Gardenia

Gardenia jasminoides

Gardenia jasminoides is a popular flowering shrub known for its highly fragrant white blooms and glossy, dark green foliage. While prized for its beauty, it contains compounds that can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.