Which Types of Lilies Are Poisonous to Dogs?
Steer clear of lilies in general when choosing plants for your garden or indoor décor. While not all types of lilies are highly toxic to dogs, the majority of lilies can cause an upset tummy or other uncomfortable reactions.
Are Lilies Poisonous To Dogs Or Cats?
Lilies are poisonous to dogs and cats. Why? These flowers contain toxins and if your pet ingests a portion of lilies, it could get sick. However, the severity of the symptoms varies on how much your pet consumed and the weight and size of your dog or cat.
The FDA confirms that the toxin in lilies that only affects only cats has not yet been discovered. Dogs can have light to severe stomach issues if they ingest a decent number of lilies. However, kidney failure is not usually a concern. Cats, on the other hand, can die if they encounter certain lilies, even if only pollen.
Which Lily Plants Are Poisonous to Dogs?
Lilies contain alkaloids, which cause damage to red blood cells. In cats, ingestion of lilies can cause organ failure and even death, but in dogs, this is rare. However, lilies can cause a very upset tummy and other problems. But with such a range of lily plants out there, are all types of lilies toxic?
All types of lilies could make your pup very sick. Some species are highly toxic, while others are more harmless.
Non-toxic varieties of lilies include the Peruvian lily, tiger lily, day lily, and Easter lily. These lilies are not particularly dangerous to your pet and are unlikely to cause any problems. However, you should still keep a close eye on your dog as the lilies could irritate the gut lining, so you may notice some mild vomiting or diarrhea.
Toxic lily species include the Prairie Lily (rain lily), Lily of the Valley, Peace Lily, Calla Lily, Glory Lily, Japanese Show Lily, Leopard Lily, and Stargazer Lily.
Calla and Peace Lilies are particularly toxic. They release calcium oxalate crystals when chewed, which can cause burning and irritation to the inside of the mouth, lips, and skin. While Lily of the Valley could trigger a change in your dog’s heartbeat called an arrhythmia, which can be fatal. Daylilies and Easter Lilies are unlikely to cause your dog any problems, but they may cause some mild tummy upsets, such as vomiting and diarrhea.
How poisonous are lilies to dogs?
Just because a flower is beautiful doesn’t mean it’s safe for our furry friends. In fact, some of the prettiest spring flowers can be life-threatening to your pet if consumed.
“If your pet is having an allergic reaction to a poisonous plant, she’ll exhibit drooling, vomiting and tremors,” says Dr. Laurie Coger, DVM, CVCP, and owner of HealthyDogWorkshop.com. “She’ll get agitated and stressed as her body tries to cope with the toxin.”
One of the most-commonly planted spring flowers—lilies—are extremely toxic to cats; a compound in this beautiful flower triggers acute kidney failure in felines. And while scientific studies don’t show such a clear link between the lily flower and toxicity in dogs, consumption of the plant by canines certainly isn’t a good thing.
A toxin in lilies can trigger gastrointestinal upset in the first few hours after ingestion. Varieties such as Peace, Calla and Peruvian lilies aren’t as toxic as other varieties; however, you still want to keep your pet away. These lilies can irritate your pet’s mouth and esophagus. This irritation can trigger symptoms such as foaming and pawing at the mouth; in more severe cases, these lilies can cause digestive upset, including vomiting.
Other lily varieties are significantly more dangerous. True lilies, including those of the Lilium or Hemerocallis species, are more likely to trigger acute kidney failure in cats and potentially similar problems for dogs. Common names for these beautiful but deadly plants poisonous to dogs include Tiger, Day, Asiatic Hybrid, Easter, Japanese Show, Rubrum, Stargazer, Red, Western and Wood lilies. Lily of the Valley are also toxic plants for dogs; if your pet ingests this type of lily, she will experience potentially fatal heart arrhythmias.
So, to answer the question, “Are lilies poisonous to dogs?” Potentially—but while dogs may be at risk, even one or two leaves of a lily is enough to cause kidney failure in cats. The plant is so toxic to cats that just drinking the water from a vase of lilies can trigger kidney failure.
Lilies aren’t the only plant poisonous to dogs. Many commonly used outdoor landscaping plants and indoor decorative plants can be toxic to pets if consumed. It’s best to exercise caution and not let your pet consume any plants.
If your cat or dog is experiencing symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, gagging, a swollen and painful belly, lack of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, or constipation and general unrest, he may have eaten something poisonous. Do not wait—go to the veterinarian immediately. If it’s late at night or on the weekend, you will need to go to a 24-hour emergency vet.
“When you go to the vet, bring the plant or at least take a picture of it with your phone,” says Dr. Coger. “If you have the exact scientific name, that’s even better. Your vet may need to contact animal poison control or other references for treatment advice.”
Dr. Coger says that treatment depends on the plant consumed. “If your pet comes in with an allergic reaction, we may need to induce vomiting,” she explains. “But other times, we’ll have to begin supportive care, such as increasing fluids, giving anti-nausea medications or prescribing activated charcoal or other medications to block toxin absorption.”
Especially when outdoors, it’s impossible to keep an eye on super-curious pets prone to munching, digging and tasting. It’s wise to regularly survey your yard for potentially toxic plants for dogs.
Caitlin Boyle is a writer from Charlotte, North Carolina. Her hobbies include trail running and planning fantasy vacations. She has two dogs, Maggie and James, and a cat that believes he’s a dog, Ferguson.