# Are Peace Lilies Toxic to Cats? Is peace lily plant toxic to cats? Yes. Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum species) contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense mouth pain, drooling, and vomiting in cats [1]. The good news is that peace lilies are not true lilies, so they do not cause the kidney failure that plants like Easter lilies can. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Peace lilies are toxic to cats because of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, not because of pollen or scent [1][2]. - Every part of the plant matters: leaves, stems, flowers, and roots all contain the crystals [1][2]. - Signs show up fast, often within minutes to a couple of hours of chewing, and include drooling, pawing at the mouth, and vomiting [1]. - If your cat chewed a peace lily, call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away. - Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. ## Is the Peace Lily Plant Toxic to Cats? Yes. The ASPCA lists Spathiphyllum, the peace lily, as toxic to cats and dogs [1]. The Mauna Loa peace lily, a common variety, carries the same warning and is also listed as toxic to horses [2]. The confusion happens because "lily" is used for many different plants. True lilies in the Lilium and Hemerocallis groups are a completely different problem. Those plants can cause severe kidney damage in cats, and a cat can be poisoned by chewing a leaf or even grooming pollen off its coat. Peace lilies belong to the Araceae family, the same group as philodendron and pothos, and their danger is irritation, not organ failure [1][2]. If you are trying to sort out which plants in your home are true lilies, see [Are Lilies Toxic to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-lilies-toxic-to-cats). For a broader list of risky flowers, [Flowers That Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-that-are-toxic-to-cats) covers the common ones. ### Is peace lily pollen toxic to cats? The pollen itself is not the toxic part. The crystals are packed inside the plant's tissues, so the risk comes from chewing or biting the plant, not from sniffing a flower [1][2]. That said, a cat that walks through a fallen flower and then grooms its paws could pick up plant material and swallow it. Wipe up dropped blooms and leaves so they do not end up in your cat's mouth. ### Are peace lily leaves toxic to cats? Yes, the leaves are toxic, and they are usually the part cats chew [1]. The stems, flowers, and roots contain the same crystals. A cat that bites a leaf releases the crystals, which is why the reaction is often dramatic and immediate. ### Is giant peace lily toxic to cats? Yes. "Giant peace lily" is a common name used for larger Spathiphyllum varieties, and the toxic principle is the same across the genus [1][2]. Size does not change the type of poisoning. A bigger plant simply gives a cat more material to chew, which can mean more irritation and a larger amount swallowed. ### Are peace lilies toxic to cats if not eaten? No. A peace lily sitting on a shelf is not a danger to a cat that ignores it. The plant does not release toxic fumes, and the crystals have to contact the mouth and digestive tract to cause signs [1][2]. The risk is contact and ingestion, so a cat that never chews the plant is not being poisoned by it. This is different from true lilies, where pollen and even water from a vase can be a serious concern. ## What Makes Peace Lilies Toxic? The toxic principle is insoluble calcium oxalate crystals [1][2]. These are tiny, needle-shaped structures called raphides that sit inside the plant's cells. When a cat bites or chews the plant, the cells break open and the needles are released. The crystals penetrate the soft tissues of the mouth, tongue, and lips. This causes mechanical injury and intense burning pain, which is why cats react so quickly and so strongly [1]. The irritation is local, meaning it happens where the plant touches tissue. Some crystals can be swallowed and irritate the stomach, which leads to vomiting [1][2]. This is a different mechanism from plants that contain soluble oxalates. Soluble oxalates can be absorbed and affect the kidneys, and one report described kidney failure in a guinea pig after it ate a peace lily leaf [3]. That report involved a guinea pig, not a cat, and cats handle insoluble oxalates differently. Still, it is a reminder that eating a plant is never a harmless event. Plant poisonings in cats are a real and documented problem. An Italian survey of plant exposures in pets found that cats made up 26 percent of calls, and most exposures caused mild to moderate signs [4]. A review of indoor plant poisoning in companion animals noted that houseplants are a common source of exposure because pets spend so much time indoors with them [5]. ## Signs of Peace Lily Poisoning in Cats The most common signs are oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing [1]. The Mauna Loa record adds pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips [2]. ### What you may see at home - Drooling, sometimes thick and ropey - Pawing at the mouth or rubbing the face on the floor - Chattering or grinding the teeth - Refusing food or water - Swelling or redness of the lips, tongue, or gums - Vomiting, sometimes with plant pieces visible - Trouble swallowing or a hoarse, quiet meow ### How fast do signs start? Signs usually begin within minutes to a few hours of chewing the plant. The burning pain starts as soon as the crystals contact the mouth, so many cats react almost immediately. Vomiting tends to follow once material reaches the stomach. ### How long do signs last? Mild cases often improve within a few hours to a day or two with supportive care. More severe irritation, especially if a cat swallowed a large amount, can take longer and may need treatment. A veterinarian can give you a realistic timeline after examining your cat. ## What to Do Right Now 1. Move your cat away from the plant and take the plant or a photo of it with you if you leave the house. 2. Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. 3. Wipe your cat's mouth gently with a cool, wet cloth if it will tolerate it. Do not stick your fingers deep into the mouth, since a painful cat may bite. 4. Offer small amounts of water or soft food if your cat wants them. 5. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. The mouth and throat are already irritated, and vomiting can make that worse. If your cat is having trouble breathing, its tongue or throat is swelling, or it cannot swallow, treat this as an emergency and go to the nearest veterinary hospital now. ## How Veterinarians Treat Peace Lily Poisoning Treatment is supportive and focused on relieving pain and protecting the mouth and stomach. Your veterinarian will ask what part of the plant was chewed, how much was eaten, and when it happened. Common steps include: - Rinsing the mouth to remove remaining plant material - Pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs - Medications to coat and soothe the stomach and digestive tract - Fluids if your cat is dehydrated or vomiting a lot - Anti-nausea medication - A soft or liquid diet while the mouth heals Doses of any medication are calculated by the veterinarian based on your cat's weight and health, so never give human pain relievers at home. Many of them are toxic to cats. Blood work may be recommended if a large amount was eaten or if your cat is very young, very old, or has other health problems. Most cats with peace lily exposure do not need surgery or hospitalization, but some need to stay for fluids and monitoring. ## Outlook for Cats That Chew Peace Lilies The outlook is generally good. Most peace lily exposures cause mild to moderate signs and cats recover with supportive care [1][4]. The Italian survey found that 73.8 percent of plant exposures in pets resulted in mild to moderate clinical signs, and fatal poisoning was reported in 10.6 percent of the cases where an outcome was known [4]. That fatality figure covers all plant exposures, including much more dangerous plants, so it should not be read as a peace lily death rate. The main risk with peace lilies is discomfort, not death. Cats rarely eat enough to cause serious problems because the crystals make the plant painful to chew. A cat that takes one bite and backs off is the typical scenario. ## Preventing Peace Lily Poisoning The simplest fix is to keep peace lilies out of reach or out of the house. Cats can climb, so a high shelf is not always enough. - Place peace lilies in a room your cat cannot enter, or hang them where your cat cannot reach. - Pick up fallen leaves, flowers, and stems right away. - Skip peace lilies entirely if your cat chews plants. - Offer cat-safe plants instead, such as cat grass or spider plant. - Check every new houseplant against a toxic plant list before you bring it home. If you want a wider list of plants to avoid, [Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-toxic-to-cats) is a good starting point. If your cat has already eaten a plant and you are not sure what it was, [Cat Ate Toxic Lily](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/cat-ate-toxic-lily) walks through the next steps. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article covers peace lilies in general terms. Every cat is different, and a cat's size, age, health, and the amount eaten all change the picture. Individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine your cat. Contact a veterinarian the same day if your cat chewed a peace lily and is drooling, vomiting, or refusing food, even if it seems mild. Call now or go to an emergency hospital if you see swelling of the tongue or throat, trouble breathing, repeated vomiting, inability to swallow, collapse, or severe pain. A routine visit is reasonable if you are not sure whether your cat ate any plant material and you want it checked. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Do peace lilies cause kidney failure in cats? No, peace lilies are not known to cause kidney failure in cats. The crystals cause mouth and stomach irritation, not organ damage. True lilies are the plants linked to kidney failure, which is why the distinction matters so much. ### Can a cat die from eating a peace lily? Death is very unlikely from a peace lily alone. Most cats recover with supportive care, and serious outcomes are rare because the pain stops most cats from eating much. A cat with severe swelling or an underlying health problem needs prompt veterinary care. ### Should I make my cat vomit after it eats a peace lily? No, do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. The mouth and throat are already irritated, and vomiting can worsen the damage. Call your veterinarian or a poison control line first and follow their instructions. ### Will my cat be okay if it only bit the leaf and did not swallow? It depends on how much contact the plant made with the mouth. Even a bite can cause drooling and pain, so watch your cat closely for a few hours. Call your veterinarian if signs appear or if you are unsure. ### Are peace lilies safe to keep in a home with cats? They are not a safe choice for a home with a cat that chews plants. You can keep them only if your cat has no access to them at all. If your cat is a chewer, choose a cat-safe plant instead. ## Related Articles - [Are Lilies Toxic to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-lilies-toxic-to-cats) - [Flowers That Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-that-are-toxic-to-cats) - [Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-toxic-to-cats) - [Flowers Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-toxic-to-cats) - [Cat Ate Toxic Lily](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/cat-ate-toxic-lily) - [What Flowers Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-flowers-are-toxic-to-cats) - [Are Calla Lilies Toxic to Cats? Symptoms and Care](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/calla-lily-toxic-cats) - [Are Tiger Lilies Poisonous to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/tiger-lilies-poisonous-cats) - [Is Daylily Pollen Toxic to Cats? Lily Danger Warning](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/daylily-pollen-toxic-cats) ## References 1. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Peace Lily](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/peace-lily). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 2. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Mauna Loa Peace Lily](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/mauna-loa-peace-lily). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 3. [Renal failure in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) following ingestion of oxalate containing plants](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16933558/). The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 2006. 4. [Plant poisoning in domestic animals: epidemiological data from an Italian survey (2000-2011)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23716536/). The Veterinary record, 2013. 5. [Indoor Companion Animal Poisoning by Plants in Europe](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32851047/). Frontiers in veterinary science, 2020. ## 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)