Why Lily of the Valley is Dangerous
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is a popular ornamental plant found in gardens and containers.
All parts of the plant contain cardiac glycosides, which interfere with heart function.
Ingestion of even small amounts can be life-threatening for dogs and cats.
Why speed matters
Delaying care significantly worsens outcomes. Some signs appear hours or days later, so "looks fine right now" is not a reason to wait.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhea (possibly bloody)
- Loss of appetite and lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Slow or irregular heart rate
- Collapse or weakness
- Seizures in severe cases
What to do right now
- Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately.
- Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a professional.
- Collect plant material and any vomit for identification.
- Bring your pet to an emergency clinic if advised.
- Be prepared to describe the amount ingested and time of exposure.
If your pet shows any of the signs above, go to the nearest emergency vet now and call ahead.
The step-by-step response, from the first minute to the vet visit, is in our Lily of the Valley Poisoning in Dogs and Cats emergency guide.