Easter Lily is safe for dogs but toxic to cats. Cat owners should ensure easter lily is not accessible to their pets, even in households where a dog has eaten it without issue.
Easter lilies, like other true lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis), cause sudden kidney failure in cats. Every part of the plant is toxic: leaves, petals, stem, pollen and even the water in the vase. A cat can be poisoned just by chewing a leaf or licking pollen off its fur. Dogs aren't at risk of kidney damage and usually get no more than a mild stomach upset. If you have a cat, the safest approach is not to bring lilies into the home at all.
In cats, the first signs appear within a few hours: vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite and lethargy, which may seem to settle down. Kidney failure then develops over one to three days. The cat drinks and urinates more at first, then produces little or no urine, and becomes dehydrated, weak and withdrawn. Without treatment, it is often fatal.
Take your cat to a vet immediately. Don't wait for symptoms to appear. If treatment with IV fluids starts within about 18 hours, most cats recover; after that, the kidney damage may be permanent. Wipe any pollen off the fur and face with a damp cloth so the cat can't lick more off, and bring a piece of the plant for identification. A dog that nibbles a lily only needs a vet if its vomiting persists.
Data sourced from public ASPCA lists. For general guidance only. If you suspect your pet has ingested something harmful, contact your vet or an animal poison control center immediately. · Privacy Policy