The majority of lilies are deadly to cats, so why is is lily poisoning still such a big problem?

Cats and lilies are a mix that just don’t go together, but why exactly is it that their chemistry is so bad?

I had barely found out about the toxicity of lilies when my cat Misha got lily poisoning. Little did I know that an anniversary bouquet given to my mom and dad contained tiger lilies, one of the deadliest lilies for cats.

If you are reading this article because you suspect your cat might have lily poisoning, stop what you’re doing and call the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661 or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.

The Popularity Of The Lily

Easter is by far the biggest holiday for lilies, much like Christmas is for poinsettias (also toxic to cats). So why is it that cat owners still keep lilies in the house?

In our situation, it was a gift from well-intentioned gift givers. For others, it might be that they think they can keep their cats out of the lily plant, or perhaps they don’t know that the lily is deadly to cats.

Which Lilies Are Dangerous To Cats?

Any lily is toxic to your cat, but that doesn’t mean every single one is deadly. There are a few that are not life-threatening, such as the Peruvian, Calla and Peace lilies.

However, “true lilies” (meaning those which are classified as Lilium and Hemerocallis species) will kill a cat within a matter of hours if any part is ingested, inhaled or otherwise consumed by your cat.

You have less than 18 hours after the time of ingestion to get your cat treated by an emergency vet; any time past that, and your cat’s chances of survival are minimal.

What Are The Symptoms Of Lily Poisoning In Cats?

By the time your cat starts displaying obvious signs of lily poisoning, it may be too late. Here are some of the warning signs of lily poisoning:

• Increased thirst/dehydration
• Increased urination
• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Refusing to eat

Other signs can include pawing at the mouth, foaming at the mouth, abdominal pain, hiding, halitosis (bad breath), labored breathing, and kidney failure (see section below).

What Happens When A Cat Is Exposed To A Lily Plant?

Any part – and I mean any – part of a poisonous lily is deadly when ingested (even the vase water!).

In a 2013 article from Catster, Dr. Eric Barchas explains:

“Lily ingestion causes many cats to vomit. That is the best-case scenario, because at least it clears the plant from the system. Sadly, lily toxicity also affects the kidneys. Cats in the early throes of lily toxicity suffer from hypersalivation, poor appetite, and reduced activity.

As toxicity progresses, the kidneys begin to fail. This may result in increased urination, which is then followed by absence of urination — which appears to be the point of no return. Death by kidney failure usually follows.”

This means that kidney failure doesn’t have an exact time limit, so although 18 hours is the general guideline, cats can experience kidney failure before that depending on how fast the toxins are absorbed.

Misha’s Story

I have experienced the terrifying realization that one of my cats had lily poisoning.

Although I didn’t know the anniversary bouquet had tiger lilies in it, I did insist that it be kept locked in my mom’s room. Misha is notorious for digging plants up, so I knew she would get into it.

We were very careful not to let her in the room. Unfortunately, she slipped past my dad when he opened the door to go in and lay down for a nap. An hour passed before we realized she was missing, and upon fetching her from my mom’s room, my mom noticed pollen on her nose.

A Trip To The Emergency Vet

Cue my mom instincts. The emergency vet was an hour away. The ride was incredibly stressful for her, and I got bitten twice (I have since foregone the mesh carrier for a hard-sided plastic carrier).

You can read about our full trip to the emergency vet here, but I wanted to go over the basics of what happens there:

• The vet will want a sample of the plant your cat is suspected to have ingested; bring it with if you can
• After confirming lily poisoning, the vet will most likely want to induce vomiting; they may also administer activated charcoal to absorb any toxins left
• To help prevent kidney failure, your cat may need fluids administered as well
• Blood toxicity levels will be checked to monitor your cat’s progress; normally, this type of care (including all listed above) requires several days of hospitalization

How To Avoid Lily Poisoning

This should be a no-brainer, but in case you haven’t figured it out yet, DON’T KEEP LILIES IN YOUR HOUSE. I’d even go so far as to say don’t have them in your garden or anywhere on your property. It’s not worth the risk.

Don’t think you can get by with keeping the lily under lock and key. It didn’t work for me, and it probably won’t work for you. Cats are magicians when it comes to sneaking by you.

Also keep in mind that lilies are messy flowers, meaning their pollen can rub onto your clothing or a leaf/petal piece can stick to you. Check yourself and wash your hands if you’ve come into contact with a lily plant before interacting with your cat.

Other Poisonous/Toxic Plants

While ‘toxic’ is not exactly the same as ‘poisonous’, you should also avoid these common house and garden plants:

• Aloe, Autumn Crocus, Azaleas, Daffodils, Lily of the Valley, Oleander, Tulips, Hyacinths, Chrysanthemums, English Ivy, Cyclamen, and Kalanchoe

You can view the ASPCA’s full list of toxic/poisonous plants on their website. Call the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661 or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 if you think your cat has been exposed to a lily plant.

Has your cat ever been treated for lily poisoning? Let us know in the comments section. Share this article with your family and friends – it could just save a cat’s life!

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