Lilies are one of the most dangerous flowers on earth for our cats. What’s truly scary is that one little nibble or lick has the ability to send a cat into acute kidney failure. These ornamental flowering plants are widely used in holiday celebrations, weddings, funerals, and especially popular for floral arrangements during Easter.
If you have some cats or kittens at home please be sure to never have lilies on the table or anywhere your cat can reach! (Let’s be honest, that means just about anywhere)
Sources for Poisoning
Lilies of genera Lilium and Hemerocallis (daylilies) have been shown to cause nephrotoxicity in cats,
Note: This is one of the most common kidney problems and occurs when your cat’s body is exposed to a drug or toxin that causes damage to your kidneys.
“Confusion arises because so many different plants are called lilies. Members of the genus Convallaria (lily of the valley), while sparing on the kidneys, elicit toxic effects because they possess potent cardiac glycosides similar to digitalis. Even more confusing as to which lilies are toxic is the fact that many hybrids exist.”
Mechanism of Action
It just takes a nibble of a leaf or a stem to cause problems. Cats are extremely sensitive to the toxic effects!
The Pet Poison Hotline tells us,
“The exact toxin has not been identified, but is known to be water soluble. All parts of the plant – the leaf, pollen, stem, flower are considered poisonous. Kidney damage (specifically, renal tubular necrosis) occurs within 24-72 hours of ingestion.”
Common Signs of Poisoning
A single flower has been known to cause death, even the pollen is deadly! In cats, clinical signs include salivation, vomiting, anorexia, and depression.
Successful Treatment If Timely
The symptoms are so severe that many experts recommend rushing your cat to a vet emergency hospital or specialty clinic.
Successful treatment includes initiation of fluid diuresis before the onset of anuric renal failure. If acute kidney failure has occurred the treatment involves IV fluids, injectable medications, nutritional support, and close monitoring.
Lily toxicity is no laughing matter and if you have the slightest idea of a lily was ingested you should immediately rush your cat to the emergency vet hospital.
The ASPCA has a list of poisonous plants that all pet owners should be familiar with if they live with a cat or dog.
The types of lilies that should be on your radar include Asiatic, Easter, Japanese Show, rubrum, stargazer, red, tiger, Western, and wood lilies (Lilium species) and daylilies (Hemerocallis species).
Have you known any cats that nibbled on plants or flowers that needed medical attention?