Lilies - Beautiful yet deadly...
A look into how & why this beautiful, fragrant flower can be deadly to your Kitty.
Why are Lilies so lovely, yet so dangerous for our Kitty's? It's that time of year when these bulb-growing perennials are gracing our gardens and possibly even our indoor vases, but why do we need to take precautions to keep them away from our feline friends?
All parts of a lily plant are toxic to cats, even the pollen & the water cut lilies sit in!
The (still unknown) poisonous toxin contained within lily plants is known to cause severe damage to the kidneys and its effects can develop quickly. If left untreated, exposure to this toxin could be fatal.
Ways your Kitty's can be exposed to this toxin are:
By eating parts of the plant, such as the petals, leaves or bulb
Via the pollen if they were to brush up against the flowers stamen holding the orange pollen, then later lick it off their fur whilst grooming
The toxin can also be present in the water any cut lilies sit in so if this water is lapped up, your Kitty will be in danger.
Signs of poisoning can include, but not limited too;
Drooling
Vomiting
Excessive lethargy
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Signs of poisoning can appear within hours of exposure and effects can be fatal soon after. If you are aware of Lily toxin exposure or have any doubts, contact a vet immediately!
Whilst you may take all precautions to not have lilies present in your home or garden, if your Kitty gets free roam outside they may be exposed in other gardens they visit. Always check your Kitty's coat when they come home for signs of pollen residue as well as other nasties such as grass seeds, brambles, insects etc. Also keep a close eye on them for any of the signs above and always consult a vet if you have any doubts.
Poisoning from this toxin can be treated if caught early, but may have life-long effects on the kidneys, and if left too long, treatment may not be effective and could result in fatality.
If you like Lilies and want them in the home you share with your Kitty - go for fake ones! They look just as good but are not nearly as deadly.
Need further advice?
Try our Advice Page for quick hints to help your furry feline. Or drop us a question via our contact form on the 'Contact Us' page and we will try our best to get you answers.
