# Are Tiger Lilies Poisonous to Cats? Are tiger lilies poisonous to cats? Yes. Tiger lilies are highly poisonous to cats, and even a tiny amount of the plant, its pollen, or the water in the vase can cause severe kidney failure and death. If your cat touched, chewed, or brushed against a tiger 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 - Every part of a tiger lily is toxic to cats, including the petals, leaves, stem, pollen, and the water in the vase [1][2]. - Cats are the only species known to be affected by this type of lily poisoning, so a dog or horse in the same house is not at the same risk [3]. - Kidney damage begins within 24 to 72 hours of ingestion, so early treatment matters enormously [1]. - Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 immediately. Do not wait for symptoms. - Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian specifically tells you to. ## Are Tiger Lilies Poisonous to Cats? Yes, and they belong to the most dangerous group of plants a cat owner can bring indoors. Tiger lilies (Lilium tigrinum) are listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, with possible signs including vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, kidney failure, and death [3]. The Pet Poison Helpline groups tiger lilies with Day, Asiatic, Easter, and Japanese Show lilies as plants that cause severe acute kidney failure in cats [1]. This is not a mild stomach upset kind of plant. A cat that eats even a small amount can die. As little as 2 leaves or part of a single flower has resulted in deaths [2]. That is why any exposure, however small it looks, needs immediate veterinary attention. ### Which Parts of the Tiger Lily Are Toxic? All of them. The leaf, pollen, stem, and flower are all considered poisonous [1]. The whole plant, including petals, stamen, leaves, and pollen, is toxic [2]. This matters for a few practical reasons. A cat does not have to eat a whole flower to be in danger. Grooming pollen off a paw after brushing past a bouquet can be enough. Drinking from the vase is another common route, because the toxin is water soluble and leaches into the water [1]. Licking a few fallen petals off the floor counts too. ### Are Stargazer Lilies Poisonous to Cats? Yes. Stargazer lilies are in the same nephrotoxic group as tiger lilies [4]. The Pet Poison Helpline lists stargazer lilies among the common names for the same highly poisonous Lilium plants that cause severe acute kidney failure [1]. So if you are asking whether stargazer lilies can kill cats, the answer is yes, and the response is the same: emergency care, immediately. ### Are Wild Tiger Lilies Toxic to Cats? Yes. The species is what matters, not where the plant grew. Lilium tigrinum is toxic to cats whether it came from a florist, a grocery store, or a roadside ditch [3]. A wild tiger lily growing near your yard is just as dangerous as one in a vase on your table. ### Are Orange Tiger Lilies Toxic to Cats? Yes. The familiar orange spotted tiger lily is the classic Lilium tigrinum, and it is toxic to cats [3]. Color does not change the risk. Orange, yellow, red, or any hybrid variation of a true lily carries the same danger. ### What About Other Plants Called "Lily"? The word lily gets attached to many plants that are not true lilies, and the confusion causes real harm. Lilies of the genus Lilium and day lilies (Hemerocallis) cause kidney damage in cats [2]. Lily of the valley (Convallaria) is a different story. It spares the kidneys but contains potent cardiac glycosides similar to digitalis, so it is still dangerous [2]. Many hybrids exist, which makes identification even harder [2]. If you are unsure what plant you have, do not guess. You can read more about the broader group in [Are Lilies Toxic to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-lilies-toxic-to-cats) and [Flowers That Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-that-are-toxic-to-cats). ## What Is the Toxic Principle and What Does It Do? The exact toxin has not been identified, but it is known to be water soluble [1]. Researchers studying Easter lily flowers traced the toxic activity to a complex mixture of steroidal glycoalkaloids, but the precise compound responsible for kidney damage in cats is still not confirmed [5]. The toxic dose is also unknown [2]. What veterinarians do know is what happens to the kidney. The damage is specifically renal tubular necrosis, and it develops within 24 to 72 hours of ingestion [1]. In plain terms, the tiny tubes inside the kidney that filter waste begin to die. As those tubules fail, waste products build up in the blood, urine production may drop or stop, and the cat becomes critically ill. Cats are uniquely sensitive. They are the only species known to be affected by this poisoning [3]. A dog living in the same house may show no signs at all while the cat is fighting for its life. That species difference is one reason owners are often caught off guard. ## Signs of Tiger Lily Poisoning in Cats Early signs can be easy to miss or easy to blame on something else. Vomiting, inappetence (not eating), and lethargy are the classic early signs, and kidney failure and death are possible outcomes [3]. Some cats drool, hide, or seem depressed before any vomiting starts. The timeline is what makes this so urgent. Kidney damage is underway within 24 to 72 hours [1]. A cat can look completely normal for the first several hours and still be developing irreversible injury. Waiting to "see if symptoms show up" is the single most dangerous mistake an owner can make with a lily exposure. Later signs reflect failing kidneys. A cat may stop producing urine, drink excessively, or become weak and unsteady. In one case series, three cats were already oliguric (producing very little urine) or anuric (producing none) at their first examination, and all three died [6]. That outcome is tied to how late treatment started. ## What to Do Right Now Act first, worry about blame later. Here is the sequence. 1. Move your cat away from the plant and put the plant somewhere the cat cannot reach, or bag it for identification. 2. Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. These lines are staffed for exactly this situation. 3. Tell them what happened, when it happened, and what part of the plant you think was involved. Bring the plant or a photo with you if you go to a clinic. 4. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Inducing vomiting on your own can cause harm, and it is not the right move in every case. 5. Go to the veterinary hospital. Do not wait for your cat to look sick. If your cat only brushed against the pollen, call anyway. Pollen is toxic [1][2], and cats groom themselves constantly. A cat that walks through a fallen stamen and then licks its paw has ingested the toxin. If you are already on your way out the door, [Cat Ate Toxic Lily](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/cat-ate-toxic-lily) walks through the same emergency steps. ## How Veterinarians Treat Lily Poisoning Treatment is time sensitive and usually aggressive. Early decontamination and aggressive fluid therapy can lead to successful treatment [4]. Decontamination may include inducing vomiting under veterinary supervision and giving activated charcoal, depending on how recently the cat ate the plant and how the cat is doing. Fluid therapy is the backbone of care. It supports blood pressure, helps the kidneys flush waste, and keeps urine flowing. A veterinarian calculates every drug dose and fluid rate from your cat's weight, kidney values, and overall health, so there is no home dose to look up or guess. In severe cases, more advanced support is needed. In one report of six cats with lily-induced acute kidney failure, all six received medical treatment and two underwent hemodialysis [6]. Dialysis does not guarantee survival, but it can buy the kidneys time to recover. Your veterinarian will run blood work to measure kidney values and will monitor urine output closely. Whether your cat is producing urine is one of the most important prognostic signs. ## Outlook After Lily Exposure The honest answer is that it depends heavily on how fast treatment started and how much the kidneys were damaged. In the six-cat case series, three cats survived the acute episode. They went on to have chronic kidney failure but lived more than 1.5 years. Two cats died despite aggressive management including hemodialysis, and one was euthanized shortly after diagnosis [6]. The three cats that were oliguric or anuric at first examination all died, while none of the survivors had reached that point [6]. The prognosis appears better for cats with nonoliguric kidney failure [6]. There is also good news about early care. In a survey of 48 households with 57 exposed cats, 93 percent received prompt veterinary care and 87 percent either developed no signs or had brief signs that resolved [7]. That number is encouraging, but it reflects cats whose owners acted quickly. It is not a reason to relax if your cat was exposed hours ago and you have not called anyone yet. ## Prevention and Safer Alternatives The simplest prevention is to keep true lilies out of your home entirely. Do not buy tiger lilies, stargazer lilies, Asiatic lilies, Easter lilies, Japanese Show lilies, or day lilies. Do not accept them as gifts without checking. Most lilies in the survey came from grocery stores or other shops, purchased by owners or given as gifts [7]. That means the risk often arrives through the front door in someone else's hands. A few habits close the gaps. - Tell friends and family not to send lilies. Be specific, because many people do not know lilies are dangerous to cats [7]. - Check every bouquet before it enters the house. Remove and bag any lily stems, flowers, or pollen. - Never leave vase water where a cat can reach it. The toxin is water soluble [1]. - Keep cut flowers on a high shelf or in a closed room, and remember that cats can climb. - If you garden, avoid planting Lilium and Hemerocallis species. A wild tiger lily near your yard is still toxic [3]. For safe flower choices, see [Flowers Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-toxic-to-cats) and [What Flowers Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-flowers-are-toxic-to-cats). Roses, sunflowers, and many common non-lily flowers are better options, but check each plant before you buy it. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you whether your specific cat was poisoned. Only a veterinarian who examines your cat and runs blood work can do that. Individual cases need a veterinarian. Contact a veterinarian the same day if your cat was near a tiger lily, even if you did not see it eat anything. Pollen contact counts [1][2]. Call if you notice vomiting, not eating, or unusual tiredness after any lily exposure [3]. Go to an emergency hospital now if your cat is vomiting repeatedly, will not eat, seems weak or wobbly, has stopped urinating, or is breathing fast. Kidney damage is already developing within 24 to 72 hours of ingestion [1], so hours matter. Schedule a routine visit if you are unsure what plant is in your home and want help identifying it, or if you want guidance on cat-safe plants for your garden. Bring a photo or a cutting with you. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can a cat survive tiger lily poisoning? Yes, survival is possible, especially with fast treatment. In one report, three of six cats with lily-induced kidney failure survived the acute episode and lived more than 1.5 years afterward with chronic kidney failure [6]. The cats that did worst were already producing little or no urine when first examined [6]. ### How much tiger lily does it take to hurt a cat? Very little. As little as 2 leaves or part of a single flower has resulted in deaths [2]. The exact toxic dose is unknown [2], so there is no safe amount to allow. ### Does the pollen really matter, or only if my cat eats the flower? Pollen matters. Pollen is one of the toxic parts of the plant [1][2], and a cat that grooms pollen off its coat swallows it. Vase water is also a risk because the toxin dissolves in water [1]. ### My cat seems fine after touching the lily. Should I still call? Yes, call right away. Cats can look normal for hours while kidney damage is developing, since injury begins within 24 to 72 hours of ingestion [1]. Waiting for signs to appear gives the toxin more time to work. ### Are day lilies and stargazer lilies as dangerous as tiger lilies? Yes. Stargazer lilies are in the same nephrotoxic group as tiger lilies [4], and day lilies (Hemerocallis) also cause kidney damage in cats [2]. The Pet Poison Helpline lists Tiger, Day, Asiatic, Easter, and Japanese Show lilies together as causes of severe acute kidney failure [1]. ## 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) - [Cat Ate Toxic Lily](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/cat-ate-toxic-lily) - [Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-toxic-to-cats) - [Are Stargazer Lilies Poisonous to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/stargazer-lilies-poisonous-cats) - [Are Lilies Toxic to Dogs? Day, Tiger, and Easter Lilies](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/lilies-toxic-to-dogs) - [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: Tiger Lily](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/tiger-lily). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 4. [A retrospective study of daylily toxicosis in cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12583697/). Veterinary and human toxicology, 2003. 5. [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. 6. [Acute renal failure caused by lily ingestion in six cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12680447/). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2002. 7. [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. ## 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)