Not all lily species are poisonous to cats. Calla, Peace and Peruvian lilies are not ‘true’ lilies, and while they may irritate the mouth if eaten, and cause pain, salivation and facial swelling, they do not cause the serious kidney signs associated with true lily poisoning.
True lilies include Easter, Rubrum, Asiatic, Day, Stargazer, Japanese and Tiger lilies. These lilies are poisonous to cats and this includes their petals, leaves, pollen and even water from the vase. Lilies can drop a lot of pollen, and cats can walk through this or brush against the flowers, getting pollen on their coat. One of the most common ways for cats to ingest lilies is as they clean pollen from their fur.
All parts of the lily are toxic and even lilies which are not ‘true’ lilies can cause irritation to the mouth if eaten, and cause pain, salivation and facial swelling, they do not cause the serious kidney signs associated with true lily poisoning.
If you think your cat may have eaten lily then bring both your cat, and the plant itself if possible, to the vet immediately. The sooner your cat starts supportive care, the better the outlook will be.
There is no antidote to lily poisoning but inducing vomiting using a drug called maropitant and reducing further absorption by feeding activated charcoal if only a short time has elapsed since your cat ate the lily. Aggressive fluid therapy with a drip, anti-nausea medication, kidney function blood tests, and close monitoring of blood pressure and urine output may all be part of your pets supportive care plan.
There is no antidote to lily poisoning but inducing vomiting using a drug called maropitant and reducing further absorption by feeding activated charcoal if only a short time has elapsed since your cat ate the lily. Aggressive fluid therapy with a drip, anti-nausea medication, kidney function blood tests, and close monitoring of blood pressure and urine output may all be part of your pets supportive care plan.
