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House Pet

Flowers & Plants

Can dogs and cats eat lilies?

Compare the dog and cat answers together, then open the full guide for the pet you are asking about.

One food, two pets

What changes between dogs and cats?

The verdict changes by species: caution for dogs and emergency for cats.

The two answers are not interchangeable. Compare the bottom line, named hazard, and signs to watch below, then use the full guide for your pet.

  • Safety label differs
  • Bottom line differs
  • Named hazard differs
  • Signs to watch differs
Caution

Lilies safety for dogs

True lilies cause the fatal kidney failure seen in cats only rarely in dogs, who typically develop nothing worse than mild stomach upset after chewing on the plant.

Toxic principle: unidentified; the nephrotoxin responsible for lily poisoning is specific to cats

Watch for

  • drooling
  • vomiting
  • mild diarrhea
Open the complete dogs guide
Emergency

Lilies safety for cats

Even a tiny amount of any part of a true lily, including pollen groomed off fur or water from the vase, can cause fatal kidney failure in a cat within days.

Toxic principle: unidentified nephrotoxin unique to true lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species)

Watch for

  • lethargy
  • drooling
  • vomiting
  • loss of appetite
  • increased urination followed by decreased urination as kidneys fail
  • dehydration
Open the complete cats guide

This page is for informational purposes only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's diet and health.

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Read our methodology for how every verdict is sourced and reviewed.