Home » Cat Plants » The Threat of the Red Lily Plant to Cats
Red lily plants, also known as Lilium species, are highly toxic to cats. While not an allergy, ingesting any part of this plant can cause severe poisoning in felines. Red lilies contain insoluble oxalate crystals which are extremely dangerous for cats. These plants are commonly found in bouquets, garden beds, and floral arrangements.
Ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, but is generally not life-threatening.
Ingestion can result in mild symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling. Rarely fatal but may require veterinary care.
Eating these plants can lead to more pronounced symptoms like abdominal pain, lethargy, or difficulty breathing. Veterinary intervention may be necessary.
Ingesting even small amounts can cause severe symptoms like organ damage, seizures, or cardiac failure without rapid treatment.
All parts of these plants are extremely poisonous to cats and can quickly lead to death, even with immediate veterinary care.
** Please note: Please note that toxicity level can vary based on the amount ingested and the specific cat. It's always best to keep these plants completely inaccessible to cats and seek immediate veterinary care or call the poison hotline if you suspect your cat has ingested any part of a toxic plant.
Cats that have eaten any part of a red lily plant may begin to show symptoms within a few hours of ingestion. Common signs include:
Ingesting even a small amount of red lily can lead to acute kidney injury in cats. Without prompt treatment, red lily poisoning is often fatal within a few days.
If you suspect your cat has eaten a red lily plant, contact your veterinarian or pet poison control hotline immediately. To diagnose lily toxicity, your vet will likely:
A: Yes, Red Lily is highly toxic to cats. Ingesting any part of the plant, including the pollen or even water from the vase, can lead to fatal kidney failure.
A: If a cat eats Red Lily, it may experience symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, and a lack of appetite. Immediate veterinary care is crucial as this plant can cause severe kidney damage.
A: Yes, all parts of the Red Lily plant are toxic to cats, including the stems, leaves, flowers, and pollen. Even a small amount can result in serious poisoning.
A: Even a tiny amount of Red Lily is harmful to cats. Ingesting a small piece of a leaf or a few pollen grains can cause life-threatening kidney failure.
A: Yes, Red Lily poisoning can be fatal to cats if not treated immediately. The toxins in the plant can lead to severe kidney failure and death within days.
A: If your cat ingests Red Lily, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Early intervention can help reduce the risk of kidney failure and improve your cat’s chances of survival.
Red lilies are perennial flowering plants native to Europe and Asia. They have been cultivated for thousands of years and were used in ancient Greek, Roman, and Chinese societies for medicinal and ornamental purposes.
Today there are many hybrid varieties of red lilies. They are still very popular in cut flower bouquets and as landscape plants. However, cat owners should never keep red lilies in areas accessible to their pets due to the extreme toxicity of all plant parts.
Please note: The information shared in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as veterinary medical advice.