What should I do if my cat ate Peace Lily?

Take the plant material away and gently rinse your cat's mouth with cool water to wash out remaining crystals. Do not induce vomiting. Then call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline for next steps. Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) if drooling lasts more than an hour, your cat refuses food or water, vomiting persists, or you see any swelling of the mouth or face. Severe oral swelling or any change in breathing is an emergency — go straight to a clinic.

What should I do if my dog ate Peace Lily?

Pull any remaining plant material out of your dog's mouth and rinse the mouth with clean, cool water to flush out the crystals. Do NOT induce vomiting — bringing the oxalate material back up causes additional burning to the esophagus and mouth. Then call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline for guidance. Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) for persistent drooling, repeated vomiting, refusal to drink, or any swelling of the mouth. Treat any difficulty breathing, loud or labored swallowing, or collapse as an emergency and go directly to a clinic.

Peace Lily — (c) Dick Culbert, some rights reserved (CC BY) — Photo by (c) Dick Culbert, some rights reserved (CC BY)iNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Dick Culbert, some rights reserved (CC BY)iNaturalistCC BY

Pet safety reference

Peace Lily

Q: Is Peace Lily safe for cats?

Peace Lily is potentially toxic to cats. Symptoms are generally localized to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. If your cat has ingested any part of this plant, please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately.

Q: Is Peace Lily safe for dogs?

Peace Lily is potentially toxic to dogs. The insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause immediate mechanical irritation. If your dog shows signs of distress or has ingested the plant, please contact your veterinarian for professional guidance.

Spathiphyllum

The Mauna Loa Peace Lily is a popular indoor plant known for its elegant white spathes and lush foliage. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation upon contact or ingestion.

Check a list

Peace LilySpathSpathiphyllumWhite Sails

Light: Low to medium indirect light
Habit: Clumping herbaceous perennial
Care: Moderate

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

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

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

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Escalation note

Symptoms are generally localized to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. If your cat has ingested any part of this plant, please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Escalation note

The insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause immediate mechanical irritation. If your dog shows signs of distress or has ingested the plant, please contact your veterinarian for professional guidance.

Safer alternatives

Safer pick

Parlor Palm

Chamaedorea elegans

Parlor palm brings similar lush indoor greenery without the calcium oxalate irritation of peace lily.

Not yet rated for cats.

Generally safe for dogs.

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Safer pick

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata bostoniensis

Boston fern fills the same low-light flowering-plant niche and is not on major toxic lists.

Uncertain for cats.

Generally safe for dogs.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Peace Lily contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral irritation.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Spathiphyllum is a genus of monocotyledonous herbaceous perennial plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas and southeastern Asia.

cats safety page My cat ate Peace Lily dogs safety page My dog ate Peace Lily

Often compared with

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict

Hosta

Hosta plantaginea

Hosta plantaginea is a popular shade-loving perennial known for its lush, broad foliage and fragrant white flowers. While prized in garden landscapes, it contains saponins that can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Meadow Buttercup

Ranunculus acris

Ranunculus acris is a perennial herbaceous plant known for its bright yellow flowers and presence in meadows. It contains compounds that can cause irritation upon contact or ingestion.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum

Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable known for its edible stalks, but its leaves contain high levels of soluble oxalate crystals that are harmful if ingested. It is widely grown in gardens for culinary use but requires caution regarding pet access to the foliage.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Monstera

Monstera deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa is a popular tropical houseplant known for its large, fenestrated leaves and vining growth habit. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Same growing conditions

Plants for the same room

Chinese Evergreen

Aglaonema modestum

Chinese Evergreen is a popular indoor foliage plant known for its patterned leaves and tolerance of low light conditions. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation if ingested or chewed.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.