We probably all know about this by now, but I thought I'd post a reminder in case anyone hasn't heard of this deadly threat.
Lilies (all species) are extremely dangerous for cats! All parts of the plant, including the pollen.
Lilies are so beautiful and smell lovely, and are often included in bouquets, and grown in gardens. They flower in summertime (June/July/August)
So beware if you know there are lilies in the garden -and you have a cat!
Or if someone gives you a bouquet!
People may say "but my cat won't eat lilies!" No a cat probably won't eat the flowers. But it is possible for them to brush against the stamens and get pollen on the fur or paws. Then they lick....and are poisoned. Even a small amount of lily pollen can cause serious illness, including kidney failure.
There is more info. here:
http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/toxicolo...d-Dogs.htm
Apparently lilies are also toxic for dogs!
I sort of knew that lilies are toxic, but I had no idea that even the pollen is toxic. This is a really seriously poisonous plant.
This is a timely reminder since many lilies are in bloom right now.
I hope people protect their cats from lilies. And if that fails I hope they recognize the problem in time to save their cat.
So dogs are at risk too. I wonder if other small animals are at risk.
I suspect most mammals would be affected if both cats and dogs are. Such a lovely flower with such a deadly affect.
Good info, which deserves to be in full view. I have made it a sticky.
There is more information on this website:
http://www.noliliesforcats.com/faq1.pml
It seems the best plan of action is to make sure -as much as is possible -that your cat doesn't come in contact with lilies. And to make sure the message is shared widely online, and among friends and family etc.
Cats apparently are acutely sensitive to lilies and for them, they are deadly. That might be because cats are avid self-groomers, so anything that gets on whiskers/paws/fur/ will be licked off almost definitely. They are also supposed to be toxic for dogs, but I have not heard of cases of lily toxicity in dogs. Just because I haven't heard of it doesn't mean it hasn't happened! And likewise, ingestion of any part of a lily, could be the cause of sudden acute kidney failure in dogs, that otherwise has no explanation.
Good idea to make this a sticky thread.
I wonder, cats are smaller than dogs and are always grooming. Any exposure would hit them right away.
Cats also wander a bit by themselves.
Dogs are usually with someone. They are mostly bigger, so more body weight. Dogs don't groom so obsessively the way cats do.
That could be part of why cats have more trouble with lilies. Also they may have a special sensitivity to the toxic element. I think cats kidneys are pretty sensitive to toxins.
Yes, lilies are extremely toxic to cats. Even ingesting small amounts of any part of the lily plant, including the leaves, petals, pollen, and stems, can cause severe kidney damage and potentially be fatal to a cat.
Symptoms of lily toxicity in cats may include
vomiting,
loss of appetite,
lethargy, dehydration, and changes in urination habits. If you suspect that your cat has ingested any part of a lily plant, it's important to seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
To keep your cat safe, it's best to avoid having lilies or any
other toxic plants in your home or garden. If you have lilies or other toxic plants in your yard, make sure your cat does not have access to them.
Additionally, be sure to educate yourself on other common household items that can be toxic to cats, such as certain human foods, medications, and cleaning products.
I agree, since lilies are so toxic, it would be best not to have them. There are plenty of beautiful flowers that are safe.
There are also plenty of pet safe cleaners that we can use. If it is poisonous for a cat, should we be using it for ourselves.
Many cleaners are toxic. Worse they can be deadly if mixed with each other. Toxic cleaners would also not be environmentally friendly.
Always go with safety first.