Are Daylilies Poisonous to Dogs?
By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD ·
Are daylilies poisonous to dogs? Yes. Daylilies are toxic to dogs, and every part of the plant can cause problems if your dog eats it. The good news is that most cases are mild when they are caught early, but you still need to act quickly and call for advice.
This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.
Quick Answer
- Daylilies are poisonous to dogs. The flowers, leaves, stems, and roots all contain toxins that can make your dog sick.
- The most common signs are vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and lethargy, usually within a few hours of eating the plant.
- Orange daylilies (the common ditch lily) are just as toxic as other varieties. Color does not change the risk.
- Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away if you think your dog ate any part of a daylily.
- Do not make your dog vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. Doing it on your own can cause more harm than good.
Are Daylilies Poisonous to Dogs?
Yes, daylilies are toxic to dogs. This surprises many owners because daylilies look like harmless garden flowers and they are not true lilies. The plant belongs to the genus Hemerocallis, and it contains compounds that are poisonous to dogs and cats.
The toxin in daylilies has not been fully identified in every case, which is true for a number of toxic plants [1]. What veterinarians do know is that the whole plant is a problem. That includes the flowers, the leaves, the stems, and the underground tubers and roots.
If you want a broader list of plants that can harm your dog, see Plants Poisonous To Dogs. Daylilies are one of many common garden and household plants that owners should know about.
Are Daylily Flowers Toxic to Dogs?
Yes, the flowers are toxic. This is the part dogs most often grab because the blooms are bright, soft, and at nose level. A dog who snaps up a fallen flower or pulls one off the stem can get sick.
Are Daylily Leaves Poisonous to Dogs?
Yes, the leaves are poisonous too. Daylily leaves are long, strap-shaped, and grassy. Dogs sometimes chew on them out of boredom or curiosity, especially puppies who put everything in their mouths. Eating leaves can cause the same signs as eating flowers.
Are Orange Daylilies Poisonous to Dogs?
Yes, orange daylilies are poisonous to dogs. The orange daylily (often called the ditch lily or tawny daylily) is one of the most common types in American yards and along roadsides. Its color does not make it safer. It carries the same risk as yellow, red, pink, and other daylily varieties.
Are Daylilies Dangerous for Dogs?
They can be, depending on how much your dog eats and how your dog responds. Many dogs have mild vomiting and diarrhea and recover well with supportive care. Some dogs eat a large amount of plant material and become quite ill. A few dogs may develop more serious problems, including kidney or liver effects, so any exposure deserves a call to a veterinarian.
What Is the Toxic Principle in Daylilies?
The exact toxin in daylilies is not completely settled. Plant poisoning in general comes from a wide mix of chemicals, including alkaloids, glycosides, proteins, and amino acids, and for some plants no single chemical has been pinned down as the cause [1].
What matters for you as an owner is simpler. When a dog eats daylily plant material, the toxin irritates the stomach and intestines and can affect other body systems. The result is the classic pattern of plant poisoning: stomach upset first, then possible effects on the heart, kidneys, or nervous system depending on the plant and the dose.
Different plants work in different ways, which is why a veterinarian needs to know exactly what your dog ate. For example, some garden plants contain cardiac glycosides that cause vomiting, trembling, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and irregular heart rhythms [2]. Others, like plants in the Ericaceae family, contain grayanotoxins that cause retching, regurgitation, and vomiting [3]. Daylilies are not in either of those groups, but the point is that plant toxins can do far more than upset a stomach.
Misidentification is a real problem in plant poisonings. People often confuse edible and toxic plants that look alike, and even similar-looking shrubs can have very different effects [4]. If you are not sure what your dog ate, bring a piece of the plant or a clear photo with you to the vet.
Signs of Daylily Poisoning in Dogs
Signs usually show up within a few hours of your dog eating the plant. The most common ones are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or weakness
- Abdominal pain or a tender belly
- Dehydration if vomiting and diarrhea continue
Some dogs may show changes in heart rate or rhythm, and in serious cases there can be effects on the kidneys. The severity depends on how much plant material was eaten, which part was eaten, and your dog's size and overall health.
How Soon Do Signs Appear?
Most dogs start showing signs within a few hours. If your dog ate a daylily and is still completely normal after several hours, that is reassuring, but it does not mean you should skip the call. Some plant toxins have a variable delay before signs begin [2], so watch your dog closely for the rest of the day.
What If My Dog Only Ate a Small Amount?
Small amounts often cause mild signs or none at all. Many plant exposures in pets do not lead to serious illness and need no treatment beyond watching at home [1]. That said, you cannot know in advance whether your dog will be one of the mild cases. A quick call to a veterinarian or poison control line is the safest move.
What to Do Right Now
If you think your dog ate a daylily, take these steps in order.
- Move your dog away from the plant. Remove any plant material from your dog's mouth if you can do it safely without getting bitten.
- Save a sample. Keep a piece of the plant, or take a photo, so the veterinarian can identify it.
- Call for advice. Contact your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. These lines are staffed to help with exactly this kind of exposure.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Making your dog throw up at home can cause choking, aspiration, or other injuries. Wait for professional guidance.
- Do not give human medications. Do not give pain relievers, antacids, or any other over-the-counter drug unless your veterinarian specifically tells you to.
- Note the time and amount. Write down when you think your dog ate the plant and roughly how much. This helps the veterinarian plan treatment.
If your dog is vomiting repeatedly, seems weak, is breathing fast, or is not responding to you, skip the phone call and go straight to an emergency veterinary hospital.
How Veterinarians Treat Daylily Poisoning
Treatment depends on your dog's signs and how much was eaten. In many cases, care is supportive.
Your veterinarian may:
- Induce vomiting in the clinic if the exposure was recent and it is safe to do so
- Give activated charcoal to bind toxin still in the stomach
- Start intravenous fluids to correct dehydration and support kidney function
- Give anti-nausea medication and stomach protectants
- Run blood work to check kidney values, liver values, and electrolytes
- Monitor heart rate and rhythm if there are concerns
The dose of any medication is calculated by your veterinarian based on your dog's weight, species, and health status. Never use a dose you found online or one meant for a person or another pet.
If your dog ate something else from the yard as well, tell the veterinarian. Mixed exposures are common, and different plants require different treatments. For example, a dog who also chews on ornamental houseplants may have a very different set of risks, which is why a full list like Common Houseplants Toxic to Cats and Dogs can help you identify what is in your home.
Outlook After Daylily Ingestion
The outlook is good for most dogs who eat a small amount of daylily and get prompt care. Mild vomiting and diarrhea often settle within a day or two with supportive treatment. Dogs who eat a large amount, or who have underlying health problems, may need a longer hospital stay and more intensive monitoring.
The key factor is speed. Dogs who are seen early tend to do better than dogs who are brought in after hours of vomiting and dehydration. If you are unsure whether your dog ate enough to matter, let a veterinarian make that call.
Prevention and Safer Alternatives
The simplest prevention is to keep daylilies out of your dog's reach.
- Plant daylilies in a fenced area your dog cannot access, or skip them entirely if your dog likes to graze.
- Pick up fallen flowers and spent blooms right away. Wilted flowers on the ground are easy for dogs to grab.
- Supervise your dog in the yard, especially puppies and dogs who chew plants.
- Train a solid "leave it" cue and reward your dog for ignoring plants.
- Check your garden against a reliable toxic plant list before you buy anything new.
If you want to keep a garden and a dog, choose plants that are known to be safe. Ask your veterinarian or a poison control line about any plant you are considering. You can also read about other common outdoor and indoor hazards, such as Are Praying Mantises Harmful to Dogs? and Are Tarantulas Poisonous to Dogs? Understanding the Risks, so you know what else to watch for in your yard and home.
Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian
This article gives general guidance. Your dog's individual case needs a veterinarian who can examine your dog, ask questions, and decide on treatment.
Contact a veterinarian the same day if your dog ate a daylily and has vomited once or twice, has soft stool, is drooling more than usual, or just seems off.
Go to an emergency clinic right now if your dog has repeated vomiting, bloody diarrhea, a swollen or painful belly, weakness or collapse, fast or irregular breathing, tremors, or is unresponsive. Do not wait to see if things improve on their own.
Schedule a routine visit if your dog had a mild exposure, seems fine now, but you want blood work checked or you want help dog-proofing your yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are daylilies and true lilies the same thing for dogs?
No, they are different plants, but both are toxic to dogs. Daylilies belong to the genus Hemerocallis, while true lilies belong to the genus Lilium. For a dog, the practical advice is the same: keep your dog away from both.
Can my dog die from eating a daylily?
Death is rare, but serious illness is possible, especially with large amounts. Most dogs recover with supportive care. The risk goes up when treatment is delayed, so call for advice as soon as you notice your dog eating the plant.
Should I make my dog throw up after eating a daylily?
No, not unless a veterinarian tells you to. Inducing vomiting at home can cause choking and other injuries. Call your veterinarian or a poison control line and follow their instructions.
Will my dog get sick from just chewing a daylily leaf?
Possibly. The leaves contain the same toxins as the flowers, so chewing or swallowing leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. Even a small amount can trigger signs in a sensitive dog.
How do I dog-proof my garden against daylilies?
Remove daylilies from areas your dog can reach, or fence them off. Pick up fallen blooms and leaves daily, supervise your dog outdoors, and check any new plant against a toxic plant list before you put it in the ground.
Related Articles
- Plants Poisonous To Dogs
- Are Praying Mantises Harmful to Dogs?
- Are Tarantulas Poisonous to Dogs? Understanding the Risks
- Are Praying Mantises Dangerous to Dogs?
- Common Houseplants Toxic to Cats and Dogs
- My Dog Ate a Frog: Is It Poisonous?
- Are Lilies Toxic to Dogs? Day, Tiger, and Easter Lilies
- Are Orange Day Lilies Toxic to Dogs?
- Are Easter Lilies Poisonous to Dogs?
References
- Poisonous plants. EXS, 2010.
- Houseplants and Ornamentals Toxic to Animals - Toxicology. Merck Veterinary Manual.
- Grayanotoxin poisoning in animals following the ingestion of Ericaceae plants. Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997), 2026.
- Risk of Poisoning from Garden Plants: Misidentification between Laurel and Cherry Laurel. Toxins, 2022.