Lily toxicity

True lilies, in the genus Lilium, and daylilies, in the genus Hemerocallis, are highly poisonous to cats. These include Easter, tiger, Asiatic, Japanese show and stargazer lilies, which are common in bouquets and gardens. The toxin is not fully identified. All parts are dangerous, including the petals, leaves, pollen and the water in the vase. A cat can be poisoned by chewing a leaf, or by grooming pollen off its coat after brushing past a flower.

Signs may start within hours: vomiting, drooling, hiding, tiredness and loss of appetite. These sometimes seem to ease, then kidney failure follows over one to three days, with reduced or absent urine, dehydration and collapse. Without prompt treatment the damage is often fatal.

If a cat has touched or eaten any part of a lily, even if it looks well, call a vet or an animal poison helpline and go to a clinic immediately. Do not wait for signs and do not try to make the cat vomit unless a vet tells you to. Take a sample or a photo of the plant. Early treatment, usually intravenous fluids over a couple of days along with blood tests, gives the best chance of saving the kidneys. Choose non-lily flowers for a cat home. Peace lilies and calla lilies are different plants with other effects, so ask your vet.