What should I do if my cat ate Calla Lily?

Wipe plant fragments from the mouth with a damp cloth and offer cold water. A small amount of milk or plain yogurt may help bind the oxalate crystals and reduce the burning. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet directs it. Call your vet, or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, if drooling lasts more than an hour, you see visible swelling, your cat won't eat or drink, or vomiting persists. Any sign of difficulty breathing or swallowing is an emergency — go immediately. Mention the plant by name; the team can rule out 'true lily' (Lilium/Hemerocallis) toxicity quickly.

What should I do if my dog ate Calla Lily?

Wipe out the mouth with a clean damp cloth to remove visible plant fragments and offer cool, fresh water to rinse the oral tissue. Do not induce vomiting. Skip milk, peanut butter, vegetable oil, and salt — Pet Poison Helpline lists these as ineffective and sometimes harmful home remedies. Then call your vet. Call right away for any swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, audible changes in breathing, or persistent retching. Otherwise contact your vet or the ASPCA Poison Control hotline (888-426-4435) for drooling that does not settle within an hour, or if your dog refuses water for more than a few hours.

Calla Lily — (c) Bruce Calvert, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bruce Calvert — Photo by (c) Bruce Calvert, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bruce CalvertiNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Bruce Calvert, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bruce CalvertiNaturalistCC BY

Pet safety reference

Calla Lily

Q: Is Calla Lily safe for cats?

Calla Lily is potentially toxic to cats. Symptoms are generally localized to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center if ingestion is suspected.

Q: Is Calla Lily safe for dogs?

Calla Lily is potentially toxic to dogs. Symptoms are generally localized to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center if ingestion is suspected.

Zantedeschia aethiopica

The Arum Lily is a popular ornamental plant known for its striking white spathes, but it contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation upon ingestion. It is considered toxic to both cats and dogs.

Check a list

Calla LilyLily of the NilePig LilyZantedeschia aethiopica

Light: Bright indirect light
Habit: Rhizomatous 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. Please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center if ingestion is suspected.

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

Symptoms are generally localized to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center if ingestion is suspected.

Safer alternatives

Safer pick

African Violet

Saintpaulia spp.

African violet is a pet-safer flowering houseplant that won't cause the calcium oxalate burns calla lily can.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Shop on Amazon

Safer pick

Christmas Cactus

Schlumbergera bridgesii

Christmas cactus delivers similar elegant blooms in a pet-safe form.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Shop on Amazon

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

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

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted scientific name for the Arum Lily.

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

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Lily of the Valley is a popular spring-flowering perennial known for its fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers. It contains cardiac glycosides that are highly toxic to pets if ingested.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Mayapple

Podophyllum peltatum

American Mandrake is a perennial woodland plant known for its umbrella-like leaves and single white flower. It contains podophyllotoxin, which is highly irritating and potentially dangerous if ingested by pets.

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.

Snake Plant

Dracaena trifasciata

Dracaena trifasciata is a popular, hardy houseplant known for its stiff, sword-like leaves with striking yellow margins. It is widely appreciated for its air-purifying qualities and ability to thrive in various indoor conditions.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Same growing conditions

Plants for the same room

Metallic Leaf Begonia

Begonia metallica

Begonia metallica is a popular ornamental houseplant known for its textured, metallic-sheen foliage. It contains soluble calcium oxalates that can cause irritation if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.