# Lily Poisoning in Cats — Quick answer

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/lily-poisoning-in-cats): Lily Poisoning in Cats — Quick answer. True lilies — Easter, tiger, Asiatic, day, and related species — cause acute kidney failure in cats. Every part is toxic: petals, leaves, stems, pollen, and even vase water. If your cat chewed a lily, licked pollen, or drank from the vase, call your vet or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 and go to an emergency clinic immediately — treatment within eighteen hours saves lives.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/lily-poisoning-in-cats): Lily Poisoning in Cats — Key takeaways. True lilies cause acute kidney failure in cats — there is no safe dose; a single leaf, pollen, or vase water can be enough. Easter, tiger, Asiatic, day, and related Lilium/Hemerocallis species are the main UK bouquet risk — never bring them into a cat home. Call your vet or Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) immediately after any exposure — do not wait for symptoms.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/lily-poisoning-in-cats): Lily Poisoning in Cats — Why lilies kill cats. Cats are uniquely sensitive to unidentified toxins in plants of the Lilium and Hemerocallis (day lily) genera. Ingestion causes acute tubular necrosis — rapid destruction of kidney cells — leading to kidney failure within one to three days. There is no antidote. Treatment relies on preventing toxin absorption and supporting kidney function with aggressive fluid therapy before irreversible damage occurs. Dogs may develop mild gastrointestinal upset from lilies but do not suffer the same kidney failure cats do. This toxicity is cat-specific and among the most dangerous plant poisonings in feline medicine.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/lily-poisoning-in-cats): Lily Poisoning in Cats — Which plants are dangerous?. Highly toxic true lilies (cause kidney failure in cats) - Easter lily - Tiger lily - Asiatic lily - Japanese show lily - Rubrum lily - Day lily (Hemerocallis species) - Stargazer lily - Wood lily ### Not true lilies — different toxicity profile - Peace lily, calla lily, lily of the valley — cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting but not the same acute renal failure. Still keep away from cats and contact your vet if ingested. When uncertain about the plant species, assume kidney-toxic lily exposure and seek emergency care.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/lily-poisoning-in-cats): Lily Poisoning in Cats — Exposure types and risk. | Exposure type | Risk to cats | |---|---| | Chewing leaf, petal, or stem | High — can cause kidney failure; no safe dose | | Licking pollen from fur or paws | High — pollen alone can be enough | | Drinking vase water | High — toxin leaches into water | | Brushing against bouquet then grooming | High — pollen transfer via fur or owner clothing | | Peace / calla lily (not true lily) | Oral irritation — still call your vet |

Source: https://pethealth.org.uk/health/lily-poisoning-in-cats