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Are lilies toxic to cats?

Also called: lily, true lily, Lilium, Easter lily, tiger lily, stargazer lily, stargazer, oriental lily

Toxic

Every part of true lilies and daylilies, their pollen and their vase water can cause kidney failure in cats.

Yes, very. Eating even a small piece of a true lily or daylily, licking its pollen off their fur, or drinking water from a vase of lilies can cause kidney failure and death.

Signs to watch for

  • Drooling, vomiting, not eating, tiredness and weakness, starting within 1 to 6 hours.
  • As the kidneys fail: no appetite at all, more drinking, more peeing and continued vomiting.
  • Kidney failure can follow within 6 to 48 hours of exposure.

Why it's dangerous

  • The toxin is not known. Once swallowed, it severely damages the kidneys and can make them fail.
  • Treatment works best before kidney damage starts. Delays of more than 18 hours are often fatal.

How cats get exposed

  • Pollen on furCats can swallow pollen while grooming it off their fur or face.
  • Vase waterDrinking water from a vase that holds lilies can be enough.
  • Pollen-free liliesThese are not safe either: every part of the plant is toxic, not just the pollen.

Sources

  • Lily poisoning in catsInternational Cat Care · Read 9 October 2026
    Ingesting less than one leaf, part of a flower, pollen, or even drinking water from a vase holding cut lilies can be fatal.
    Lilies, specifically all species of Lilium (true lily) and Hemerocallis (day lily), are poisonous to cats.
    Signs of poisoning occur within 1-6 hours and include: Drooling Vomiting Loss of appetite/refusing food Lethargy/tiredness Weakness
    Once ingested, the toxin causes severe damage to the kidneys, which can cause the kidneys to fail and can even result in death.
    Eating any part of the lily – flowers, leaves, stem or pollen (including licking it off their fur when grooming)
    as all parts of the lily are toxic, not just the pollen, a pollen-free lily will not be safe for cats
    If you think your cat has come into contact with lilies, seek veterinary advice immediately
  • LiliesPet Poison Helpline · Read 9 October 2026
    This includes any amount of leaf, stem, flower, pollen, vase water, or rhizome (root). Ingestion results in vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration and acute kidney failure.
    Early treatment is vital for cats following any exposure to these lilies.
  • Which Lilies Are Toxic to Pets?ASPCA Animal Poison Control · Read 9 October 2026
    Drinking the water containing a lily or grooming pollen off their fur may cause problems as well.
    it is often fatal if treatment is delayed longer than 18 hours after ingestion.
  • Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: LilyASPCA Animal Poison Control · Read 9 October 2026
    Toxic Principles: Unknown
  • Plants That are Toxic to CatsVCA Animal Hospitals · Read 9 October 2026
    Toxic lilies can cause kidney failure within 6 to 48 hours of exposure.
    start with vomiting and decreased appetite, which progresses to complete anorexia, lethargy, increased drinking, increased urination, and continued vomiting as kidney failure develops
    Prognosis is good if the treatment is started before the onset of kidney damage.

Information from International Cat Care, Pet Poison Helpline, ASPCA Animal Poison Control and VCA Animal HospitalsSources checked 9 October 2026

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