Can dogs and cats eat Lilies (true lilies and daylilies)?
For cats, all parts of true lilies and daylilies — leaves, petals, pollen, even the water in the vase — can cause sudden kidney failure. Dogs usually get only mild stomach upset.
Why
Unknown water-soluble toxin (nephrotoxic in cats)
Signs to watch for
- vomiting
- drooling
- loss of appetite
- lethargy, hiding
- increased then reduced urination
- dehydration
Good to know
Cats: no known safe amount — licking pollen off fur can be enough. Early treatment (within hours) greatly improves the outcome; go to the vet immediately even if your cat seems well. Peace lily and calla lily are not true lilies (they cause mouth irritation, not kidney failure). Lily of the valley is a different plant with heart toxins.
If you think your pet has been poisoned
If you suspect your dog or cat has eaten or touched something poisonous, contact your vet or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic immediately, even if your pet seems fine – some poisons take hours or days to show signs, and early treatment works best. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to, as this can cause more harm. Take the packaging, label or a piece of the plant with you, and note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
Sources
Sources
- ASPCA – Which Lilies Are Toxic to Pets?
- International Cat Care – Lily toxicity
- PDSA – Lily poisoning in cats
- Cornell Feline Health Center – Easter peril: look out for lilies
- Pet Poison Helpline – Lilies
Checked against these sources in October 2026.