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.
cat safety reference
Is Tiger Lily safe for cats?
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
What this means for your cat
Tiger lily is severely toxic to cats — and only to cats. All parts of the plant, plus pollen on fur and even water from a vase that held the flowers, can cause acute kidney failure. This is one of the rare plant exposures where treating it as an emergency before any symptoms appear genuinely matters; outcomes are dramatically better when treatment begins early.
What to watch for
Early signs are vomiting, drooling, and loss of appetite. Within hours these progress to lethargy and increased thirst and urination, and within 24–72 hours to decreased or no urine output as the kidneys fail. Even tiny exposures — pollen on fur a cat then grooms off, a single chewed leaf — can cause severe kidney injury.
Time window
Vomiting and inappetence typically appear within 0–12 hours of exposure; acute kidney injury develops over 24–72 hours. Without treatment, kidney failure can be fatal within 3–7 days. Treatment started within roughly 6–18 hours of exposure has the best prognosis.
When to call the vet
Call immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to develop — every hour matters. Take your cat to an emergency veterinary clinic and bring a piece of the plant if possible. ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435; Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline (no at-home first-aid guidance — get to a vet immediately).
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.
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
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
botanical · 94% reliability
Lilium lancifolium is the accepted botanical name for the Tiger Lily, a bulbous perennial.
Same cat verdict
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