Plant safety · 2 min read

Is Lily of the valley toxic to cats?

No — dangerous

Yes. Despite the name, lily of the valley is not a true lily — but it's just as dangerous, containing cardiac glycosides that affect heart rhythm.

If your cat has just eaten lily of the valley

  1. Move your cat away from any remaining lily of the valley. Do not try to make them vomit at home — this is dangerous in cats and rarely works.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and keep the packaging or a photo of the plant/substance if you can.
  3. Call your vet immediately, even out of hours. Tell them your cat's weight, what they ate, and when.
  4. If you can't reach your vet, call Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) — paid triage, 24/7 for guidance. They can advise on urgency and route you to emergency care.

What's the full picture?

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a delicate spring garden plant often included in wedding bouquets. It contains cardiac glycosides similar to those in foxgloves.

Every part is toxic — leaves, flowers, stems, berries, and the water from a vase. Even small ingestions can cause significant heart rhythm changes.

Symptoms to watch for

0–4 hours
Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling.
4–24 hours
Slow or irregular heart rate, weakness, collapse.

If you're worried right now

Call your vet or out-of-hours emergency vet first. For poison advice, the Animal PoisonLine (UK) is on 01202 509000 — 24/7, charges apply. Your vet can also call the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) directly.

Foxgloves no Lilies no Oleander no

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

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