Which Lily Components Are Toxic To Cats?

Lilies, also known as Asiatic Lily, Easter Lily, Stargazer Lily, and Oriental Lily, are highly toxic to cats. They contain substances that can cause kidney failure in cats. The exact nature of the lily toxin is unknown, but all parts of the plant are harmful to cats. The most dangerous and potentially fatal lilies for cats are found in the genus Lilium sp.

Lilies in the “true lily” and “daylily” families are very dangerous for cats. The entire lily plant is toxic, including the stem, leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the water in a vase. Eating just a small amount of a leaf or flower petal, licking a few pollen grains off its fur while grooming, or drinking the water from the vase can cause your cat to develop fatal kidney failure in less than three days.

Lilies can be toxic to both dogs and cats, but the effects are much more severe in cats. True lily plants can produce severe toxicosis and acute kidney injury in cats. Here’s how to spot renal toxic lilies and what signs to watch for:

1. The flower petals;
2. The pollen;
3. The leaves;
4. The stem. Even the water that cut lilies soak in is toxic, so even if your cat isn’t, it is toxic.

Lily of the valley contains a cardiotoxin that is poisonous to your cat’s heart function, causing abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Ingesting as little as two petals or leaves can result in severe, potentially irreversible acute kidney failure in your cat.

In summary, lilies are highly toxic to cats, with all parts of the plant being toxic if ingested. Pet parents should avoid these plants and seek medical attention if they notice any signs of kidney failure in their cats.

What is the survival rate for cats with lily poisoning?

Lilies are toxic plants, with flowers being the most toxic part. Minor exposure can cause acute kidney failure within 12-36 hours and death within 3-5 days. Ingestion can result in death within a few hours, with symptoms including vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, depression, drooling, stumbling, collapse, seizures, crying, urinary incontinence, or complete lack of urination. Mortality is between 50-100, and early, aggressive intervention results in a 90 survival rate.

During the romantic flower-giving season, cats should avoid lilies. Hobbes, a cat, was placed on peritoneal dialysis and medications to protect his kidneys, nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. His blood pressure was monitored, and medications were adjusted as needed. After 12 hours of being in a medically-induced coma, Hobbes was allowed to slowly wake up and was placed on a special kidney diet and medications. At his two-week recheck, his kidney values were normal. Hobbes was the ring-bearer at his parents’ wedding one year later and continues to thrive today.

How to make lilies safe for cats?

Lilies can be toxic to cats, and cutting out stamens can reduce pollen drop. However, not bringing lilies into a house with cats is the safest course of action. Lilies are nephrotoxic, affecting the kidneys. Signs of toxicity can occur within two hours of ingestion, including vomiting, loss of appetite, and drooling. Cats may become lethargic, depressed, and unwell. In some cases, vomiting may subside, but other signs continue. Within 72 hours, affected cats may develop acute kidney failure, with increased urination, abdominal pain, thirst changes, weakness, and seizures. In severe cases, urination may stop altogether.

What part of lily is poisonous to cats?

True Lilies, including Tiger, Stargazer, Easter, and Oriental varieties, and Day Lilies, are highly toxic to cats. When cats digest these flowers, their bodies create a toxic metabolite that results in severe kidney injury, making them the only animal susceptible to life-threatening lily toxicity. Dogs may develop gastrointestinal upset following ingestion of these flowers, but no other species has been found to be affected by these plants.

The effects of lily toxicity are rapid, with cats experiencing nausea, decreased appetite, drooling, vomiting, depression, and lethargy within 1-3 hours of ingestion. Within 12-30 hours, cats will develop excessive thirst and urinations, leading to severe dehydration and anuric renal failure within 24-48 hours. Metabolic waste products build up in the body, causing vomiting and profound weakness within 30-72 hours post-ingestion. Within 3-7 days, symptoms progressively worsen, leading to death.

To protect cats from this fate, it is best to prevent exposure to True Lilies and Day Lilies by not bringing them into homes. However, if a bouquet of flowers contains lilies, it is crucial to know what to do if they come home covered in pollen or chewing on the plant.

What if my cat eats a lily and nothing happened?

If your cat ate a lily without any harm, it’s a fortunate situation. However, it’s crucial to get your cat checked by a veterinarian as it could be deadly. Lilies that affect the kidneys are poisonous for cats, and it’s best to avoid Lilium spp., Hemerocallis spp., and Convallaria spp. These plants are toxic, and their parts can cause problems. Consuming water containing lilies or their pollen can also cause issues.

What to do if a cat gets lily pollen on its fur?

Pollen on your cat’s fur should be washed off with water to prevent grooming and ingesting. If your cat may have been exposed to lilies, contact your vet or Animal PoisonLine for immediate advice. Top tips to prevent lily poisoning include keeping cats away from lilies, advising other cat owners not to have cut lilies in their houses or grow them in the garden, being aware of the danger of lilies, and getting immediate advice if your cat has contact with them. Filling your house with roses instead can also help prevent lily poisoning.

What is the most toxic flower to cats?

Lilies, a symbol of Spring, are among the most toxic flowers to cats. All varieties, including Easter, Tiger, Stargazer, Red, Wood, and Day, are unsafe for cats. Lilies can be poisoned by the petals, buds, pollen, leaves, and stems. Pet owners should be aware of these potential hazards and choose plants and flowers that are safe for their furry friends.

Veterans warn that even a small sip of water from a vase of lilies can cause kidney failure. Symptoms of lily poisoning include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. To ensure optimal cat wellness, it is essential to avoid purchasing lilies and leaving them for non-cat households. For a full list of toxic plants to cats, visit the ASPCA guide.

Can dried lilies hurt cats?

Lilies, renowned for their aesthetic appeal and aromatic properties, are a significant hazard to cats due to the presence of pollen and petals, which can precipitate severe renal dysfunction and even mortality when ingested. It is important to note that not all flowers are suitable for feline companions. In addition, dried flowers can present hidden dangers for cats. It is crucial to be cognizant of these potential risks when selecting flowers for feline companions.

Are there any lilies that are not toxic to cats?

Lily poisoning in cats is a serious issue that requires immediate veterinary attention. Some species, like Calla, Peace, and Peruvian lilies, do not cause kidney damage but can cause irritation and gastrointestinal signs. To prevent harm, cat-proof your garden and take your cat to the vet if they show signs of ingesting a lily flower or part of one. The sooner the vet can assess the cat and their symptoms, the better the outcome. It is important to bring a sample of the lily plant to speed up the process.

Treatment for lily poisoning in cats requires intensive care, likely requiring admission to a vet clinic. Unfortunately, there is no antidote for lily poisoning, so the vet will focus on supportive care. Taking your cat to the vet as soon as possible is key to increasing the chances of recovery.

What if my cat eats a lily but is fine?

If your cat has eaten a lily plant, pollen, or water, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 and take them to a veterinarian’s office or emergency vet as soon as possible. If possible, bring the plant with you to the veterinarian to identify the lily and offer the best treatment. If you find a chewed-on lily plant, examine your cat at the vet’s office. If pollen is on their skin, a bath will be needed to reduce contamination.

The sooner treatment is started, the better their prognosis for recovery. Vets treat ly poisoning in cats with supportive care to manage symptoms and improve their chances of recovery. While there is no antidote, early detection can provide the best chance of recovery.

What if my cat sniffs a lily?

Lilies, a popular Easter holiday gift, can be deadly to cats, even with just the touch of their pollen. The poisonous parts of the lily flower and plant are absorbed rapidly, causing severe and fast-acting effects on the cat’s kidneys. Cats are most susceptible due to their size and curiosity.

The first sign of kidney damage is severe vomiting, but cats may also show loss of appetite, depression, salivation, twitching, or collapse. A high number of cats will die due to irreversible kidney damage, while others will survive but have permanent damage. Only a few will survive without long-lasting effects.

Within minutes to hours of ingesting part of the lily plant, cats may vomit, become lethargic, or develop a lack of appetite. As the toxin affects the kidneys, these signs continue and worsen as the kidney damage progresses. Without prompt and proper treatment by a veterinarian, the cat may develop kidney failure in approximately 36-72 hours.

If a cat is eating lilies, contact a veterinarian immediately. Emergency treatment, such as emptying the gastrointestinal tract and intravenous fluid therapy in a hospital setting, is likely to help the cat recover. If the cat has been severely affected, hospitalization and intravenous fluids may be necessary.

While it is never recommended by a vet to treat pets at home, it is sometimes the best option in those situations. Home remedies can cure your cat just as if you took them to the vet in the first place.