Are Lilies toxic to cats?
Yes, extremely. True lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) cause acute kidney failure in cats. Even a small amount of pollen licked off fur can be fatal. This is a veterinary emergency.
If your cat has just eaten lilies
- Treat this as a genuine emergency. Time matters — treatment within 18 hours gives the best chance of recovery.
- Do not try to induce vomiting at home.
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet immediately. If calling out of hours, say specifically that your cat has been exposed to lilies — they should see you urgently.
- If you can't reach a vet, call Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) — paid triage, 24/7.
- Bring the plant (or a clear photo) with you to the vet for identification.
- If your cat has pollen on its fur, gently wipe it off with a damp cloth to prevent further ingestion during grooming.
What's the full picture?
Lilies are the single most dangerous common plant for cats in the UK. All parts of a true lily — petals, leaves, stems, pollen, and even the water in a vase of lilies — are toxic. Cats can be exposed by chewing a flower, brushing against pollen and then grooming themselves, or drinking vase water.
True lilies in the genera Lilium (Easter, Asiatic, oriental, tiger, stargazer) and Hemerocallis (daylilies) cause acute kidney injury. Without rapid treatment, the kidneys can fail within 72 hours. Treatment within 18 hours of exposure — IV fluids to protect the kidneys — gives the best outcome.
Not all plants with 'lily' in the name are true lilies. Peace lily, calla lily, and lily of the valley are different species with different risks — still dangerous, but through different mechanisms. See the individual pages below for specifics.
If you own a cat, don't have lilies in the house or garden. If someone sends you lilies, bin them or give them away. No lily is safe to display where a cat can access it.
UK veterinary consensus — from the International Society of Feline Medicine, the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), and RCVS-registered practices — is that any true lily exposure in cats is a time-critical emergency. Treatment with IV fluids within 18 hours offers the best prognosis; delay past 72 hours is usually fatal.
Symptoms to watch for
Hidden sources you might not think of
- Cut-flower bouquets (lilies are common in supermarket and florist mixed bouquets)
- Garden lilies — stargazer, Asiatic, oriental
- Daylily (Hemerocallis) — common in UK gardens
- Tiger lily — common in garden centres
- Easter lily — often sold as Easter gifts
- Pollen on fur or bedding — a cat brushing past a lily can ingest pollen while grooming
- Vase water — contains dissolved toxin
Questions owners ask
My cat brushed past a lily but didn't eat any. Do I need to worry?
Yes. Even pollen on fur that the cat then licks off during grooming can cause poisoning. Wipe the fur gently with a damp cloth and call your vet for advice.
Are all lilies this dangerous?
True lilies (Lilium, Hemerocallis) are the most dangerous — these cause acute kidney failure. Peace lily and calla lily are different plants with milder but still significant effects (mouth irritation, drooling, swelling). Lily of the valley is a separate plant that causes heart problems. All should be kept away from cats.
How quickly does treatment need to start?
Treatment within 6 hours gives the best outcome. Within 18 hours is still very effective. After 24 hours, kidney damage is often already significant and recovery becomes much less likely.
What should I do with the lilies I already have at home?
Remove them completely. Put them in an outside bin with the lid closed, or give them to a cat-free household. Don't compost them or leave them on a windowsill while you decide — accidental exposure is still possible.
Related
About this guidance
Every entry on this site is compiled from published UK veterinary toxicology sources — International Cat Care, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) references, RCVS-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.
This is general information written for UK cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.
Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed: · By the What Can My Cat Eat? editorial team