# Are Stargazer Lilies Poisonous to Cats? Yes, stargazer lilies are poisonous to cats, and they are among the most dangerous plants you can bring into a home with a cat. Every part of the plant, including the pollen and the water in the vase, can cause severe acute kidney failure, and a very small amount can be deadly [1][2]. If your cat has any contact with a stargazer lily, treat it as a medical emergency and call a veterinarian right away. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Stargazer lilies (Lilium orientalis) are toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure and death [3]. - All parts are poisonous: petals, leaves, stem, stamens, and pollen [1][2]. - Even a small exposure matters. As little as 2 leaves or part of a single flower has caused deaths in cats [2]. - Early signs usually appear within 6 to 12 hours and include vomiting, not eating, lethargy, and dehydration [1]. - Do not wait for symptoms. Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 immediately [3]. ## Are Stargazer Lilies Poisonous to Cats? Yes. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists the stargazer lily as toxic to cats, with possible outcomes that include vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure, and death [3]. Cats are the only species known to be affected by this type of lily poisoning, which is one reason the danger is so easy to underestimate [3]. Stargazer lilies belong to the genus Lilium, the same group that includes Easter lilies, Asiatic lilies, Tiger lilies, Japanese Show lilies, and Day lilies [1]. All of these can cause severe acute kidney failure in cats [1]. This is a different problem from lily of the valley, which harms the heart instead of the kidneys, and from plants that are called lilies but are not true lilies at all [2]. If you are unsure what you have, assume the worst and keep your cat away from it. You can read more about which plants belong in this dangerous group in [Are Lilies Toxic to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-lilies-toxic-to-cats). ### Which Parts of the Stargazer Lily Are Toxic? Every part of the plant is considered poisonous: the leaf, the pollen, the stem, and the flower [1]. That includes the petals you might not think twice about, the stamens, and the powdery pollen that falls onto tables and floors. ### Is Stargazer Lily Pollen Poisonous to Cats? Yes. Pollen is one of the most overlooked sources of poisoning because a cat does not have to chew the plant to be exposed. A cat can brush against a flower, get pollen on the coat, and swallow it while grooming. Pollen can also drift onto a surface and be licked up. The Pet Poison Helpline specifically warns that even the pollen can kill a cat [1]. ### Can Vase Water Poison a Cat? Yes. The toxin in these lilies is water soluble, so it can leach into the water in the vase [1]. A cat that drinks from the vase, or even just takes a few laps, may be exposed. This is one reason a bouquet on a high shelf is not automatically safe. Cats knock things over, climb, and investigate. ### Are Stargazer Lilies Dangerous to Cats in Small Amounts? They are. Cats are extremely sensitive to the toxic effects of lilies, and as little as 2 leaves or part of a single flower has resulted in deaths [2]. There is no known safe amount, and the exact toxic dose is not established [2]. Do not try to judge whether your cat ate "enough" to worry. Any exposure is a reason to call for help. ## What Makes Stargazer Lilies So Toxic to Cats? The exact toxin has not been identified, but researchers know it is water soluble and that it damages the kidneys [1]. Work on Easter lily flowers traced the toxic effect to a complex mixture of steroidal glycoalkaloids, which are plant compounds that were cytotoxic to feline kidney cells in the laboratory [4]. That research helps explain why the damage is so focused on the kidney, but the precise compound responsible for poisoning in living cats is still unknown [2][4]. What happens inside the body is better understood. Kidney damage, specifically renal tubular necrosis, occurs within 24 to 72 hours of ingestion [1]. The tubules are the structures that filter and reabsorb fluid, so when they are injured, the kidneys stop doing their job. Waste products build up, urine output can swing from too much to too little, and the cat can become critically ill. Untreated, this progresses to acute kidney failure, and inflammation of the pancreas may also develop [1]. ## Stargazer Lily Toxic to Cats Symptoms and Timeline Signs of poisoning often develop within 6 to 12 hours of exposure [1]. Early signs include vomiting, inappetence (not eating), lethargy, and dehydration [1]. These can look like a mild stomach upset, which is exactly why owners sometimes wait. Waiting is the most dangerous thing you can do. As acute kidney failure develops, you may see your cat not urinating or urinating too frequently, not drinking or drinking excessively, and inflammation of the pancreas [1]. Rarer signs include walking drunk, disorientation, tremors, and even seizures [1]. Some cats show no obvious signs at all in the first hours. In one survey of cat owners reporting lily exposures, 87 percent of cats either developed no signs or had brief signs that resolved, but that outcome depended heavily on the fact that 93 percent of those cats received prompt veterinary care [5]. The lesson is not that lilies are often harmless. The lesson is that fast treatment changes the outcome. ## What to Do Right Now If Your Cat Was Exposed Act immediately, even if your cat seems completely normal. 1. Move your cat away from the plant and put the lily somewhere your cat cannot reach it, or seal it in a bag and put it outside. 2. Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 [3]. These lines are staffed to advise on exposures, and they can tell you what to do next. 3. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Making a cat vomit at home can cause harm, and it is not a substitute for professional care. 4. Bring the plant, or a photo of it, with you. Knowing the exact lily helps the veterinary team. 5. Tell the veterinarian about every possible route of exposure: chewing, licking, grooming pollen off the coat, or drinking vase water. If you are not sure whether your cat was exposed, call anyway. Owners often cannot identify the plants in their own homes, and many do not know lilies are dangerous until after an exposure happens [5][2]. A phone call costs you a few minutes. Kidney failure costs your cat its life. ## How Veterinarians Treat Lily Poisoning in Cats Treatment focuses on removing as much plant material as possible and supporting the kidneys while they try to recover. Gastrointestinal decontamination may include inducing vomiting and giving activated charcoal, depending on how recently the exposure happened and how the cat is doing. After that, intravenous fluid diuresis is the mainstay. This means placing an IV catheter and running fluids to flush the system and keep the kidneys working. A retrospective review of 25 cats with known lily ingestion described outcomes after gastrointestinal tract decontamination, IV fluid diuresis, or both [6]. Your veterinarian will run blood work to check BUN and creatinine, which are markers of kidney function, and will check urine specific gravity to see how well the kidneys are concentrating urine [6]. These values guide treatment and help predict the outcome. Hospitalization is common, and some cats need several days of fluids and monitoring. The dose of any medication, including activated charcoal or anti-nausea drugs, is calculated by your veterinarian based on your cat's weight and health. Never give your cat a human medication or a home remedy for poisoning. ## Outlook After Stargazer Lily Exposure The outlook depends mostly on two things: how much was ingested and how fast treatment started. Cats that receive prompt veterinary care have a much better chance. In one survey, 93 percent of exposed cats received prompt care, and 87 percent either showed no signs or had brief signs that resolved [5]. A separate case series looked specifically at cats treated with decontamination and IV fluids after lily ingestion [6]. That said, lily poisoning can be fatal, and the ASPCA lists death as a possible outcome [3]. Some cats that survive acute kidney failure are left with lasting kidney damage. This is not a plant to gamble with. If treatment starts late, after the kidneys are already failing, options narrow quickly. ## Prevention and Safer Alternatives The simplest and most effective step is to keep stargazer lilies and all other Lilium and Hemerocallis plants out of your home entirely [1][3]. This includes bouquets you receive as gifts, flowers brought home from the grocery store, and arrangements at parties or holidays. Most lilies in these situations come from grocery or other stores, purchased by owners or given as gifts [5]. If someone sends you lilies, thank them and rehome the flowers to a cat-free household. Do not keep them on a high shelf, in a closed room, or on a screened porch. Pollen travels, cats climb, and vase water spills. If you want flowers or plants in a home with a cat, choose species that are not toxic to cats. You can browse options in [Flowers That Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-that-are-toxic-to-cats) and [What Flowers Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-flowers-are-toxic-to-cats) to build a safe list. A spider plant is a common cat-safe choice, and you can read more in [Are Spider Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-spider-plants-toxic-to-cats). One more caution: names can be misleading. The plant commonly called star lily (Leucocrinum montanum) is listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses [7]. That is a completely different plant from the stargazer lily (Lilium orientalis), which is toxic to cats [3]. Do not assume a plant is safe because its name sounds similar. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article gives general information, but every cat is an individual. Your cat's exposure, weight, health history, and timing all affect what should happen next. Individual cases need a veterinarian. Contact a veterinarian the same day if your cat was near a stargazer lily, even if you did not see it eat anything. Pollen on the coat and a few laps of vase water both count as exposures [1]. Go to an emergency clinic now if your cat is vomiting, will not eat, seems weak or wobbly, is drinking far more or far less than usual, is urinating much more or much less than usual, or is having tremors or seizures [1]. These signs point to kidney failure or neurologic involvement and cannot wait until morning. Schedule a routine visit if you are unsure what plant you have and want help identifying it, or if you want to review which plants in your home are safe. Bring a photo or a cutting. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can stargazer lilies kill cats? Yes. Stargazer lilies can cause severe acute kidney failure and death [3]. As little as 2 leaves or part of a single flower has resulted in deaths in cats [2]. Prompt veterinary care gives the best chance of survival, so call for help the moment you suspect exposure. ### Is stargazer lily pollen poisonous to cats? Yes. Pollen is considered poisonous, and the Pet Poison Helpline warns that even the pollen can kill a cat [1]. A cat can pick up pollen on its coat and swallow it while grooming, so a flower your cat never chewed can still cause poisoning. ### How long after eating a stargazer lily will a cat show symptoms? Signs often develop within 6 to 12 hours of exposure [1]. Early signs include vomiting, not eating, lethargy, and dehydration [1]. Some cats show few signs at first, so do not use the absence of symptoms as a reason to wait. ### Can a cat survive stargazer lily poisoning? Yes, many cats survive with fast treatment. In one survey of exposed cats, 93 percent received prompt veterinary care, and 87 percent either developed no signs or had brief signs that resolved [5]. Survival depends on how much was ingested and how quickly treatment started. ### Should I make my cat vomit after lily exposure? No, not unless a veterinarian tells you to. Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 first [3]. They will tell you whether vomiting should be induced and where to bring your cat. ## 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) - [Flowers Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-toxic-to-cats) - [What Flowers Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-flowers-are-toxic-to-cats) - [Are Spider Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-spider-plants-toxic-to-cats) - [Are Poinsettias Poisonous To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-poinsettias-poisonous-to-cats) - [Are Tiger Lilies Poisonous to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/tiger-lilies-poisonous-cats) - [Are Peace Lilies Toxic to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/peace-lilies-toxic-cats) - [Are Calla Lilies Toxic to Cats? Symptoms and Care](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/calla-lily-toxic-cats) ## References 1. [Easter Lilies Are Poisonous To Cats](https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/are-lilies-poisonous-to-cats/). Pet Poison Helpline. 2. [Lily toxicity in the cat](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21147474/). Topics in companion animal medicine, 2010. 3. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Stargazer Lily](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/stargazer-lily). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 4. [Bioassay-guided fractionation of extracts from Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) flowers reveals unprecedented structural variability of steroidal glycoalkaloids](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25269117/). Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology, 2014. 5. [Exposure circumstances and outcomes of 48 households with 57 cats exposed to toxic lily species](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22058344/). Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 2011. 6. [Outcome following gastrointestinal tract decontamination and intravenous fluid diuresis in cats with known lily ingestion: 25 cases (2001-2010)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23547675/). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2013. 7. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Star Lily](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/star-lily). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. ## 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)