Is Lily (true lilies) safe for cats and dogs?
| Species | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Cats | Toxic |
| Dogs | Safe |
Severity: Severe
Read the full first-aid guide: what to do if your pet ate something toxic
If a bouquet in your home came from a florist or supermarket this spring, check every stem before your cat does. Both true lilies (Asiatic, Easter, Stargazer, Oriental - all Lilium species) and daylilies (Hemerocallis species) are severely toxic to cats, according to ASPCA: eating any part of the plant, licking pollen off fur, or even drinking water from the vase can trigger acute kidney failure, and the window to intervene safely is narrow. Dogs are not at the same risk from true lilies - ASPCA's own Lilium listing currently classifies it as non-toxic to dogs. Worth being honest about a source conflict here: a separate ASPCA article on lily types states lilies "can be toxic to both dogs and cats, however the effects are much more severe in cats," which reads as broader than the dedicated Lilium database entry. This page follows the database verdict (the more specific, purpose-built classification page) - dogs are not at risk of the kidney failure this page is warning about, though mild GI upset from chewing on any houseplant, lily included, is possible.
This is exactly why lilies show up disproportionately around Easter and Mother's Day in the US: both holidays lean on lily-heavy florist arrangements - Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum) specifically for Easter, mixed lily bouquets for Mother's Day - and ASPCA publishes seasonal safety advisories ahead of each one. If you have cats, identify every stem in an incoming bouquet, not just the obvious trumpet-shaped blooms - daylilies can look like plain grassy foliage with orange or yellow flowers and carry the same kidney-failure risk. If ingestion is suspected, contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 immediately.
Facts and examples
- True lilies (Lilium spp., including Easter, Asiatic, Stargazer, Oriental) cause severe or fatal feline kidney injury from any plant part, pollen, or vase water. (source, verified 2026-07-26)
- Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) causes the same kidney-failure risk in cats and is listed non-toxic to dogs. (source, verified 2026-07-26)
- ASPCA publishes dedicated seasonal advisories on Easter lily and Mother's Day bouquet hazards, reflecting a recurring seasonal exposure pattern. (source, verified 2026-07-26)
- ASPCA's Mother's Day bouquet guide flags lily-containing arrangements as a seasonal cat hazard. (source, verified 2026-07-26)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24/7 hotline number. (source, verified 2026-07-26)
- Pet Poison Helpline 24/7 hotline number. (source, verified 2026-07-26)
Verdict re-verified against aspca.org, 2026-07-26 — updated. Source
This page is for general information only and is not veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your pet is showing symptoms, or you think they ate or touched something dangerous, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison-control hotline immediately.
Last verified 2026-07-26