Easter Lily Poisoning in Cats is Serious Business

Lily poisoning in cats is extremely serious and has the potential to be deadly. As Easter draws near, many people give and receive lilies and enjoy having them around the house. Cat owners should know that this is not only dangerous-it can claim the life of their cat quite quickly. All parts of the lily are toxic to cats and ingestion of even small amounts has the potential to be life threatening. Within a few hours of ingesting any part of the lily plant, your cat may become lethargic, lose its appetite, and begin vomiting. These symptoms will worsen over a number of hours as the kidney damage in the cat progresses and without proper treatment from your veterinarian can be fatal within 36-72 hours.

Lilies of the genus Lilium are all known to be toxic to cats and include but are not limited to, Easter lilies, Tiger lilies, Rubrum lilies, and Japanese show lilies. If you think that your cat doesn't eat plants or flowers and that there is no danger, think again. Something as seemingly innocuous as getting the pollen from these lilies on their fur and then ingesting it while bathing is enough to induce renal failure in a cat. Unaware of the dangers, many cat owners bring lilies into their homes over the course of the Easter holiday placing their cats at risk for a life-threatening emergency.

Cat owners that would like to enjoy flowers in their home that are safe for their cat are able to pick up colorful alternatives to Easter lilies. Some safe alternatives are African Violet, Gerber Daisies, Orchids, Pansies, and Zinnias. It's always a good idea to verify that a flower or plant is safe for your pet before bringing it into your home. Avoid lily poisoning and other plants that are known to be toxic to your cat by visiting the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant list.

If you suspect that your cat has ingested any part of a lily, seek veterinary care immediately. Early intervention and treatment will likely save your cat's life. Delaying treatment can cause permanent injury or death.

Keep your cat safe and healthy this Easter by keeping lilies out of your home. Be sure to share this information with the other cat lovers in your life.

Source: Michigan Veterinary Specialists
Emergency Clinic For Animals