Lilies are a common floral arrangement and landscape floral perennials, but some can be life threatening to cats.

Which lilies are kidney toxic and why?

Many plants are referred to as “lily”, but true lily plants are the ones responsible for toxicosis and acute kidney injury in our feline friends. The true lily plants are Lilium species and Hemerocallis. These plants are commonly referred to as Easter lily, Stargazer lily, Asiatic lily, Casa Blanca lily, Japanese lily, Tiger lily, Oriental lily hybrids, and Daylilies.

All parts of the plants listed above are toxic to cats. This means the flowers, stem, leaves, pollen, and even the water in the vase. Exposure can cause severe toxicosis and acute kidney injury to our feline friends. Unfortunately, the toxin involved is unknown.

What are the signs of exposure?

Severity of clinical signs vary but listed below are the most common:

• Pollen on fur

• Vomiting

• Hypersalivation

• Lethargy

• Inappetence

• Increased thirst and urination

• Death

What does treatment involve?

It is important to mention even the smallest amount of exposure can cause toxicity in cats. Without treatment, death can occur in about 36-72 hours.

The first step in treatment is decontamination. If ingestion is caught early, vomiting can be induced to prevent further absorption of the toxin. Most of the time pollen is found on the fur, so cats are brushed and bathed. Since cats are self-groomers, this is an important step to prevent further ingestion of pollen. In some cases, activated charcoal is given orally to also prevent further absorption of the toxin. The next step in treatment is hospitalization for supportive care. This involves IV fluids, monitoring kidney function and in extreme cases dialysis. Prognosis varies in each case and will be discussed by the veterinarian caring for your cat if exposure occurs.

What are some tips for preventing exposure?

The best way to prevent exposure is to not have any of these plants in your house or in your landscaping. However, this cannot always be possible. It is recommended if you have them in your landscaping to keep your cats indoors. If you have a dog in the house as well, it is important to keep them away from the plants too. Many cats groom their canine friends and can get exposed if there is pollen on the fur.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us!

References

1. Fitzgerald, K. T. (2010). Lily toxicity in the cat. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 25(4), 213–217. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2010.09.006

2. Which Lilies Are Toxic to Pets? (2022). ASPCA. Retrieved 2026, from https://www.aspca.org/news/which-lilies-are-toxic-pets