Are lilies poisonous to cats? Pollen, leaves, vase water

The short answer

Yes. Every part of a true lily (Lilium) or a day lily (Hemerocallis) is poisonous to cats: flowers, leaves, stem and pollen, and the water in the vase too. International Cat Care says that “less than one leaf, part of a flower, pollen, or even drinking water from a vase holding cut lilies can be fatal”. The poison damages the kidneys. If your cat may have touched, licked or chewed a lily, contact your vet or an out-of-hours vet now, even if your cat seems well.

Which lilies are dangerous

International Cat Care names the two groups precisely: “all species of Lilium (true lily) and Hemerocallis (day lily), are poisonous to cats”. The ASPCA lists lilies (Lilium species) and day lilies (Hemerocallis species) among plants toxic to cats. Common names you will see on bouquet labels and garden centre tags include:

Cats Protection says day lilies “are the most common lilies that cause issues in cats”, and that lilies are “the most commonly reported poisoning in cats”.

Plants with “lily” in the name that are not true lilies

International Cat Care warns that lily of the valley, peace lily and calla or arum lily “may have different toxic effects”. That does not make them safe. The PDSA says peace lilies are “slightly less dangerous, but are also toxic”, and the ASPCA lists the arum or calla lily as toxic to cats. Treat any of them as a reason to call your vet.

Every part counts, including pollen and vase water

The PDSA says all parts are dangerous, “including the leaves, flowers and pollen (even in very small amounts)”. The route owners most often miss is grooming: a cat brushes past a lily, pollen falls onto the fur, and the cat later licks it off. Cats Protection describes the same route, and adds that kittens are particularly prone because they explore.

The vase matters too. International Cat Care lists drinking water from a vase holding cut lilies among the ways a cat can be fatally poisoned.

Pollen-free lilies are sometimes sold as a cat-safe choice. International Cat Care rejects that: all parts are toxic, so “a pollen-free lily will not be safe for cats”.

Signs of lily poisoning

The three charities give different timings, so do not wait for any of them:

• Cats Protection: “within minutes” a cat may become lethargic or begin to vomit, and the signs then worsen.
• International Cat Care: signs occur within 1 to 6 hours and include drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy and weakness.
• PDSA: symptoms usually appear within a few hours, but kidney failure can take longer, often a few days. Its list adds drinking and peeing more, twitching, seizures and sudden death.

The PDSA warns that lily poisoning “often goes unnoticed”, which delays treatment while the toxins damage the kidneys, and says “never wait for symptoms to develop”.

What to do now

1. Move your cat away from the lilies, as the RSPCA advises for any suspected poison.
2. Contact your vet or an out-of-hours vet now, even if your cat seems well. International Cat Care calls it “an emergency and requires urgent veterinary care”.
3. Stop your cat grooming pollen off its coat. If there is pollen on the fur, ask the vet on the phone whether and how to remove it before you travel: International Cat Care says washing should be done “under instruction from your veterinary team”.
4. Take the plant or its label with you, so the vet knows exactly what it was.

What not to do, from the RSPCA and Cats Protection: do not try to make your cat vomit, do not give any medicine, and do not “watch and wait”.

The outlook depends on speed. The PDSA says cats treated quickly “tend to have a good outlook”, while untreated lily poisoning is usually fatal. International Cat Care adds that cats who survive may have permanent kidney damage.

No lilies in the home or garden

International Cat Care’s advice is to never allow lilies into a home or garden with a cat. The PDSA says to check bouquets and remove any lilies before bringing them indoors. Cats Protection says the best prevention is “to not have lilies in your home or garden”.

Lilies are not the only kitchen or garden danger for cats: onions, garlic, leeks and chives are covered in onions and garlic for cats. If you also have a dog, see grapes and raisins for dogs, chocolate poisoning in dogs and xylitol and dogs. Taking your cat abroad? See pet travel from the UK to the EU.

Before you act

This page reports what veterinary charities publish; it is not veterinary advice. Read the International Cat Care lily page and the PDSA lily page, and if a lily was anywhere near your cat, phone the vet first and read afterwards.