What to do if your pet ate it
Contact your vet or a poison line right away, report how much lilies was eaten and your pet's weight, and keep any packaging or leftovers. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet tells you to.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Lethargy and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Severe: tremors, breathing trouble, collapse
If your pet shows vomiting, lethargy or any unusual behaviour after eating lilies, go to the nearest emergency vet immediately.
Dogs are rated “Feed with care” and cats “Do not feed”. If both share the house, go by the stricter of the two when you decide what to hand over.
Other foods that are toxic or dangerous
The full A–Z food list groups every food by verdict for each species.
Frequently asked questions
Can cats eat lilies?
NO — do not feed. All parts of true lilies (Lilium spp.) are extremely toxic to cats; even small amounts of pollen or petal can cause irreversible kidney failure. Dogs are less sensitive but may develop vomiting and drooling. Watch cats for lethargy, loss of appetite, increased thirst or reduced urination; dogs for vomiting and GI upset.
What if my cat already ate lilies?
Call your vet or a poison line now with the amount of lilies eaten and your cat's weight, and do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to. If lilies was eaten and you then see vomiting, lethargy, tremors or breathing changes, go straight to the nearest emergency clinic.
Is there a safe amount of lilies for cats?
There is no accepted safe dose of lilies for cats; it is classed as toxic or dangerous, and reactions vary with the individual animal, so it is not something to feed at any amount.
How often can cats have lilies?
lilies is not something to feed at any interval; it stays off the menu entirely.
What are safer treats than lilies for cats?
Pick from the safe list instead — Yam or Water chestnut carry none of the risk that lilies does, and they work better as an everyday treat.