Are Tiger lilies toxic to cats?
Yes. Tiger lilies (Lilium lancifolium) are true lilies and cause acute kidney failure in cats, just like Easter lilies and stargazers.
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Content compiled with reference to guidance from the Blue Cross, PDSA, Royal Veterinary College (RVC), Battersea, and Animal PoisonLine. This site does not provide veterinary advice — always consult a vet. Last reviewed: 27 September 2026.
Key facts
- Verdict: No — dangerous to cats. Tiger lilies should never be given deliberately.
- Category: Lily
- Onset: Signs can start 0–3 hours — see the full timeline below.
- If it's already happened: Call your vet now, or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (24/7, charges apply) — see the emergency steps below.
If your cat has just eaten tiger lilies
- Call your vet or emergency vet immediately.
- Do not induce vomiting.
- If you can't reach your vet, call Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) — paid triage, 24/7.
- Wipe pollen off fur with a damp cloth.
What's the full picture?
Tiger lilies (Lilium lancifolium) are true lilies and cause the same acute kidney failure as other Lilium species. Every part of the plant, including pollen, is toxic.
Tiger lilies are common in UK garden centres and cut-flower arrangements. If you have a cat, they should not enter the house — pollen on fur is enough to kill a cat that grooms it off.
Treatment must start within 18 hours for the best chance of recovery. Call your vet immediately if any lily exposure is suspected, regardless of how small.
Tiger lilies are frequently sold in supermarket flower sections and garden centres in the UK, often mixed into bouquets without any warning label about their extreme toxicity to cats. Because they're such a common cut flower, they're one of the more likely 'accidental' lily exposures — someone brings home a mixed bouquet for a gift or to brighten the house, unaware it contains a plant that can kill their cat within days.
Symptoms to watch for
Safer alternatives
- Boston fern
- Areca palm
- Cat grass (Dactylis glomerata)
- Spider plant
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Cat owner essentials
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Questions owners ask
How can I tell if a bouquet contains tiger lilies?
Look for large, orange or reddish-orange flowers with dark spots and strongly curled-back petals, plus prominent pollen-covered stamens. If you're at all unsure whether a mixed bouquet contains lilies of any kind, ask the florist directly or remove any lily-like flowers before bringing it into a home with cats.
Is it just the flower that's dangerous, or the whole plant?
The entire plant is toxic — petals, leaves, stem, pollen, and even the water in the vase once the stems have been sitting in it. Disposing of a bouquet doesn't fully remove the risk if pollen has already dusted nearby surfaces.
Are tiger lilies more dangerous than other true lilies?
All true lilies — tiger, Easter, Asiatic, Oriental, stargazer — carry essentially the same acute kidney failure risk to cats. Tiger lilies aren't more toxic than the others, but they're extremely common in UK gardens and cut-flower bouquets, which makes accidental exposure more likely.
Can I safely grow tiger lilies outdoors if my cat is indoor-only?
An indoor-only cat has lower risk, but pollen can still be carried indoors on clothing, shoes, or by another pet, and an indoor cat that occasionally slips outside is still at risk. If you have any cat in the household, the safest approach is not planting true lilies at all.
If your cat keeps returning to the wrong plant, a pet-safe plant deterrent spray can break the habit without harm.
Recommended for cat owners
Related
Sources referenced for this guidance
- Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) — UK clinical toxicology reference used by vets
- International Cat Care — feline-specific clinical guidance
- BSAVA — British Small Animal Veterinary Association reference materials
- Merck Veterinary Manual — professional veterinary reference
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