Lilies Can Be Deadly to Cats: What Owners Must Know
Evans – November 01, 2026 -- Cat owners who bring true lilies or daylilies into the home risk acute kidney failure in their pets, even after a small exposure, according to a HelloNation article featuring Dr. Ashley Wheatley, a veterinary expert in Evans, Georgia.
Every part of these lilies is dangerous to cats
The article names true lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) as the main concerns. Examples include Easter, tiger, Asiatic, Oriental and stargazer lilies. Leaves, petals, stems, pollen and vase water can all poison a cat.
A cat does not need to eat an obvious piece of the plant. Chewing a leaf or petal, drinking vase water, or swallowing pollen that settled on its fur during grooming can be enough. The article therefore advises keeping these lilies out of homes with cats entirely.