# Are Lilies Toxic to Dogs? Day, Tiger, and Easter Lilies Is lilies toxic to dogs? For the three lilies dog owners ask about most, the answer is no. Day lilies, tiger lilies, and Easter lilies are not toxic to dogs, even though they cause fatal kidney failure in cats [1][2][3]. That gap between species is why the message you hear about lilies can feel confusing. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Day lilies (Hemerocallis species), Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum), and tiger lilies (Lilium tigrinum) are listed as non-toxic to dogs [1][2][3]. - The toxic principle in these plants is unknown, and cats are the only species known to be affected by it [2][3]. - Smelling a lily or brushing against its pollen is not a poisoning risk for your dog. The danger to cats comes from eating the plant, not from the scent. - If your dog chews or swallows any part of a lily, call your veterinarian or a poison control line. Most dogs will be fine, but a large meal of plant material can still cause stomach upset. - Do not make your dog vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. ## Are Lilies Toxic to Dogs? What the Plant Records Show The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center keeps plant records that list toxicity by species. For day lilies, the record shows toxicity to cats and non-toxicity to dogs [1]. The same pattern appears for Easter lilies, which are listed as non-toxic to dogs and horses, with cats named as the only species known to be affected [2]. Tiger lilies follow the same rule, non-toxic to dogs and horses, toxic to cats [3]. This is the opposite of how most plant poisonings work. With many toxic plants, dogs and cats are both at risk, and sometimes dogs are more likely to get into trouble because they chew on everything. Lilies are the exception. A cat that nibbles a single leaf or laps water from a vase can develop sudden kidney failure, while a dog that eats the same plant often has nothing worse than a stomachache. If you want a broader picture of which plants are safe and which are not, our guide to [plants poisonous to dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-poisonous-to-dogs) covers the common ones by name. ### Which Parts of the Lily Matter For cats, every part of the plant is a problem. The flowers, leaves, stems, pollen, and even the water in the vase have all been linked to poisoning. The toxic principle has not been identified, which is one reason the plant records simply list it as unknown [1][2][3]. For dogs, there is no known toxic dose because the plant is not considered toxic to them in the first place. That does not mean a dog can eat unlimited plant material with no consequences. Fiber-heavy plant matter can cause vomiting or diarrhea in any dog, and a swallowed stem or bulb can physically block the gut in a small dog. Those are mechanical and digestive issues, not lily poisoning. ### Day Lilies, Tiger Lilies, and Easter Lilies Day lilies belong to the genus Hemerocallis and the family Xanthorrhoeaceae [1]. Easter lilies and tiger lilies belong to the genus Lilium and the family Liliaceae [2][3]. Despite the different plant families, the ASPCA records group them the same way for pet owners, toxic to cats and non-toxic to dogs. One practical point: day lilies are common in yards and gardens across the United States, and they spread easily. If you have both a dog and a cat, the presence of day lilies in your landscaping is a real hazard for the cat even if your dog never touches them. ## The Toxic Principle and What It Does in the Body The toxic principle in these lilies is unknown [1][2][3]. That is an unusual statement in veterinary toxicology, and it matters for how cases are managed. When the poison is unknown, treatment is supportive. A veterinarian cannot give a specific antidote because no one knows what to target. What is known is the outcome in cats. A case report describes a 12-week-old kitten that developed vomiting and lethargy within 12 hours of exposure to Lilium species and had severe azotemia, meaning badly elevated kidney values, along with dangerously high potassium by the time it was examined [4]. The kitten needed intensive care, including treatment for the high potassium and a diuretic to restart urine production, and was hospitalized for several days [4]. That case shows how fast and how severe lily poisoning can be in cats. It also shows why the plant records single out cats. Dogs simply do not appear to develop this syndrome. For comparison, other plant poisonings do affect dogs. A systematic review of grayanotoxin poisoning, the toxin in plants like rhododendrons and Pieris, found cases in companion animals including dogs, with vomiting and regurgitation among the common signs [5]. Lilies are not in that group for dogs. ## Signs and Timeline in Dogs Because these lilies are not toxic to dogs, there is no recognized set of poisoning signs to watch for [1][2][3]. If your dog ate a lily and then vomited, the most likely explanation is dietary upset from eating plant material, not lily toxicity. That said, any dog that eats a large amount of any plant can show: - Vomiting, sometimes several times - Diarrhea or soft stool - Drooling - Reduced appetite for a meal or two - Mild lethargy These signs usually appear within a few hours of the meal and often settle on their own within a day. If they persist, worsen, or come with blood in the stool or repeated vomiting, your dog needs to be seen. The timeline for cats is very different and worth knowing if you share your home with both species. In the reported kitten case, vomiting and lethargy began within 12 hours of exposure, and the cat was already in acute kidney injury when it arrived at the hospital [4]. Cats can decline quickly, so a cat with any lily exposure should be seen the same day. ## What to Do Right Now If Your Dog Ate a Lily First, take a breath. If your dog is a dog and the plant was a day lily, tiger lily, or Easter lily, the odds are strongly in your favor [1][2][3]. Then do these things: 1. Remove your dog from the plant and pick up any fallen petals, leaves, or bulbs. 2. Note what was eaten, how much, and when. A photo of the plant helps if you are unsure of the species. 3. Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 for guidance. These lines can confirm the plant and tell you whether your dog needs to be seen. 4. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Making a dog vomit when it is not necessary can cause aspiration, where vomit enters the airway, and it can be dangerous if the dog is already lethargic. 5. Watch your dog for the next 12 to 24 hours for vomiting, diarrhea, or a change in energy or appetite. If you have a cat in the house, treat the same event as an emergency for the cat. Move the cat away from the plant, check for chewed leaves or pollen on the fur, and call your veterinarian or a poison control line right away. Do not wait for the cat to look sick. If your dog ate a plant and you are not sure what it was, our article on what to do when your [dog ate toxic plant](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/dog-ate-toxic-plant) material walks through the first steps. ## Veterinary Treatment For a dog with no signs, treatment may be nothing more than monitoring at home. Your veterinarian may ask you to watch for vomiting or diarrhea and to offer small meals of bland food if the stomach seems unsettled. For a dog with vomiting or diarrhea, the visit usually starts with a physical exam and a weight. Your veterinarian may recommend blood work if the signs are severe or ongoing, or if your dog has other health problems. Treatment for stomach upset often includes fluids, anti-nausea medication, and a bland diet for a few days. Any medication dose is calculated by your veterinarian from your dog's weight and health status. If a dog swallowed a large piece of stem or bulb, imaging may be needed to check for an obstruction. For cats, treatment is far more involved. The reported kitten needed intravenous fluids, medication to correct high potassium, and a diuretic to restore urine output, and it remained hospitalized for days [4]. That level of care is typical for lily poisoning in cats. It is also why prevention matters so much more than treatment in that species. ## Outlook For dogs, the outlook after eating a day lily, tiger lily, or Easter lily is generally good [1][2][3]. Most dogs have mild stomach upset or no signs at all. For cats, the outlook depends on how much was eaten and how fast treatment starts. The kitten in the case report survived and was discharged after four days of hospitalization [4]. Not every case ends that way, and kidney injury from lilies can be fatal in cats. ## Prevention and Safer Alternatives The simplest prevention is to keep lilies out of homes with cats. If you have a cat, do not bring Easter lilies, tiger lilies, or day lilies indoors, and do not plant them in the yard. Cut flowers in a vase are a risk too, since the pollen and the vase water can both cause poisoning in cats. If you have only dogs, lilies are not a poisoning concern, but they are still not a great chew toy. Keep potted plants out of reach and teach your dog to leave plants alone. If you want plants that are safe around both species, our list of [plants that aren't toxic to cats and dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-that-aren-t-toxic-to-cats-and-dogs) is a good starting point. For indoor greenery, see our guide to [common houseplants toxic to cats and dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/common-houseplants-toxic-to-cats-and-dogs) so you know what to avoid. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article covers three lily types. It does not cover every plant with "lily" in the name. Some plants called lilies belong to entirely different groups, and a few of those are a genuine concern for dogs. If you cannot identify the plant, call a poison control line instead of guessing. Contact a veterinarian the same day if your dog vomited more than once, has diarrhea that lasts more than a few hours, refuses food for more than one meal, or seems dull and tired after eating a plant. Go to an emergency clinic now if your dog has repeated vomiting that will not stop, a swollen or painful belly, trouble breathing, collapse, or a suspected gut obstruction from swallowing a large stem or bulb. Schedule a routine visit if your dog had a small taste of a lily, seems completely normal, and you simply want reassurance. If you have a cat, any lily exposure is an emergency. Call your veterinarian or a poison control line immediately, even if the cat seems fine. Every case is different, and your own veterinarian is the only one who can assess your dog in person. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Are day lilies toxic to dogs? No. Day lilies are listed as non-toxic to dogs, though they are toxic to cats [1]. A dog that eats day lily leaves or flowers may have mild stomach upset from the plant fiber, but there is no known lily poisoning syndrome in dogs. ### Are tiger lilies harmful to dogs? Tiger lilies are not considered harmful to dogs. The plant record lists them as non-toxic to dogs and horses, with cats as the only species known to be affected [3]. If your dog eats one, watch for vomiting or diarrhea and call your veterinarian if signs are severe. ### Are Easter lilies dangerous to dogs? Easter lilies are not dangerous to dogs. They are listed as non-toxic to dogs and horses, and cats are the only species known to be affected [2]. Keep Easter lilies away from cats in the household, since the same plant can be fatal to them. ### Are lilies toxic to dogs if they smell them? No. Smelling a lily is not a poisoning risk for dogs, and there is no evidence that the scent alone causes harm. The concern for cats is eating the plant, including the pollen and the water in the vase, not breathing the air around it. ### Are lilies toxic to dogs if not eaten? No. If your dog only brushed against the plant or sniffed it, there is no poisoning risk. The plant records describe toxicity from ingestion, and for dogs these lilies are not listed as toxic at all [1][2][3]. ## Related Articles - [Plants Poisonous To Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-poisonous-to-dogs) - [Plants That Aren't Toxic To Cats And Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-that-aren-t-toxic-to-cats-and-dogs) - [Common Houseplants Toxic to Cats and Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/common-houseplants-toxic-to-cats-and-dogs) - [Dog Ate Toxic Plant](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/dog-ate-toxic-plant) - [List 5 Foods That Are Toxic To Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/list-5-foods-that-are-toxic-to-dogs) - [My Dog Ate a Pen: Is It Toxic or Just a Blockage Risk?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/dog-ate-pen-toxic-or-blockage) - [Are Easter Lilies Poisonous to Dogs?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/easter-lily-poisonous-dogs) - [Are Orange Day Lilies Toxic to Dogs?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/orange-day-lilies-toxic-dogs) - [Are Stargazer Lilies Toxic to Dogs?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/stargazer-lilies-toxic-dogs) ## References 1. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Day Lilies (many varieties)](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/day-lilies-many-varieties). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 2. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Easter Lily](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/easter-lily). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 3. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Tiger Lily](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/tiger-lily). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 4. [Case report: Resolution of oligo-anuric acute kidney injury with furosemide administration in a cat following lily toxicity](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37476822/). Frontiers in veterinary science, 2023. 5. [Grayanotoxin poisoning in animals following the ingestion of Ericaceae plants](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41544885/). Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997), 2026. ## Further Reading - [ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control) - [ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets) - [U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Potentially Dangerous Items for Your Pet](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/potentially-dangerous-items-your-pet)