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
Pet safety reference
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.
Ditch LilyLilium lancifoliumLilium tigrinumTiger Lily
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Habit
- Upright bulbous perennial
- Care
- Low
Safety status
Dogs
UncertainIdentity or evidence quality is not strong enough for a firm answer.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Sources
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
This plant is considered extremely toxic to cats. Even small ingestions of any part of the plant can lead to acute kidney failure. Contact a veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
Potential for mild gastrointestinal upset including vomiting or diarrhea.
Escalation note
While not listed as highly toxic to dogs like it is for cats, ingestion of any non-food plant material can cause digestive distress. Consult your veterinarian if your dog consumes this plant.
Safer alternatives
No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.
Source evidence
ASPCA Toxic Plant List
toxicology · 99% reliability
Tiger Lily is toxic to cats, causing potential kidney failure.
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
botanical · 94% reliability
Lilium lancifolium is the accepted botanical name for the Tiger Lily, a bulbous perennial.
Questions about Tiger Lily
Are tiger lilies toxic to cats?
Yes, tiger lilies (Lilium tigrinum) are extremely toxic to cats. All parts of the plant are dangerous — leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the water from a vase — and even a small ingestion can trigger acute kidney failure.
What are the symptoms of tiger lily poisoning in cats?
Early signs appear within 0–12 hours and include vomiting, drooling, and loss of appetite, followed by lethargy and increased thirst and urination. Within 24–72 hours, kidney function deteriorates; decreased or absent urine output signals severe kidney injury. Without treatment, kidney failure can be fatal within 3–7 days.
What should I do if my cat ate a tiger lily?
Call a veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately — do not wait for symptoms to appear. Every hour matters: treatment started within 6–18 hours of exposure has the best prognosis. Bring a sample of the plant if possible. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435; Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661.
Can tiger lily pollen hurt a cat?
Yes. Even pollen that lands on a cat's fur and is groomed off during self-cleaning is enough to cause severe kidney injury. There is no safe level of exposure — if your cat has been near a tiger lily and may have contacted any part of the plant, treat it as an emergency.
Is tiger lily toxic to dogs?
Tiger lily's toxicity to dogs is uncertain — it is not confirmed as highly toxic to dogs the way it is for cats, but it is classified as uncertain with low confidence. Ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset including vomiting or diarrhea.
What happens if a dog eats a tiger lily?
Based on available data, the most likely outcome is mild digestive distress such as vomiting or diarrhea. Tiger lily is extremely dangerous to cats, but its effects on dogs are not well-documented and the toxicity classification remains uncertain.
What should I do if my dog ate a tiger lily?
Monitor your dog for vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, and contact your veterinarian. Because tiger lily's effects on dogs are not well-established, it's worth a call to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for guidance, especially if your dog ate a large amount.
Are tiger lilies as dangerous to dogs as they are to cats?
No — tiger lilies are known to cause severe, potentially fatal kidney failure in cats, but this level of toxicity has not been documented in dogs. The current evidence for dogs suggests only potential mild GI upset, though the data is limited and the classification remains uncertain as of the most recent review in May 2026.
Often compared with
Commonly confused with
Share the alias "tiger lily".
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.
Easter Lily
Lilium longiflorum
The Easter Lily is a bulbous perennial known for its large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped white flowers. It is highly significant in veterinary medicine due to its extreme toxicity to cats.
Potentially toxic for cats.
Uncertain for dogs.
Share the alias "tiger lily".
Lily
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.
Potentially toxic for cats.
Uncertain for dogs.
Same genus
More from the Lilium genus
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.
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 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
Scarlet Sage
Salvia coccinea
Scarlet Sage is a popular, vibrant flowering plant often grown in gardens for its spikes of tubular red flowers. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Slender Deutzia
Deutzia gracilis
Slender Deutzia is a deciduous flowering shrub known for its delicate, bell-shaped white flowers that bloom in late spring. It is generally considered safe for household pets, though its fibrous nature may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Butterfly Iris
Iris spuria
The Butterfly Iris is a rhizomatous perennial known for its elegant, orchid-like flowers and tall, grass-like foliage. It is commonly grown in garden borders but contains compounds that can cause irritation if ingested by pets.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Lobelia cardinalis is a striking perennial known for its vibrant red, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds. It contains alkaloids that can cause adverse reactions if ingested by pets.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.