My Cat Ate a Lily: This Is an Emergency, Go to the Vet Now

Updated 6 November 2026 · about 4 min read

If your cat ate any part of a true lily, take it to a vet or emergency vet now, even if it seems completely fine. True lilies (Easter, tiger, Asiatic, stargazer, Oriental and daylilies) can cause sudden kidney failure in cats. Every part is toxic: leaves, petals, stems, pollen, and even the water in the vase. Early treatment, ideally within hours, makes a huge difference to survival. Don't wait for symptoms.

Do this now

  1. Go to your vet or the nearest emergency vet. Call ahead on the way if you can.
  2. Bring the plant or a photo so they can confirm what it is.
  3. If pollen is on your cat's fur or face, wipe it off with a damp cloth so it can't lick more, but don't let that delay you.
  4. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (both may charge a fee) for guidance on the way.

Which lilies are dangerous

Deadly to cats: Easter lily, tiger lily, Asiatic lily, stargazer, Oriental lily, Japanese show lily, wood lily, and daylilies (Hemerocallis).

Not true lilies: peace lily, calla lily and lily of the valley. Peace and calla lilies irritate the mouth (see my cat ate a peace lily). Lily of the valley is also dangerous, but it affects the heart, so it needs a vet too.

Symptoms

Early signs can appear within hours: vomiting, drooling, hiding and not eating. Kidney damage may not show for a day or more, by which point it's much harder to treat. That's why vets want to see cats before symptoms appear.

Keeping cats safe

The simplest rule for cat owners: no true lilies in the house, including bouquets. Many flower arrangements, especially around Easter, Mother's Day and Christmas, include lilies. Not sure what's in a bouquet or a plant? Planted identifies plants and flowers from a photo and tells you if they're toxic to pets.

Common questions

Are lilies poisonous to cats?

True lilies are extremely toxic to cats and can cause fatal kidney failure. Even small amounts, pollen or vase water can be enough.

My cat licked lily pollen. Is that serious?

Yes. Treat it as an emergency and see a vet right away.

Are lilies toxic to dogs?

True lilies don't cause kidney failure in dogs the way they do in cats, but they can still upset the stomach. Call a vet if your dog ate a lot.