Plant & Pet October 23, 2025 1 min read

Why are lilies deadly to cats?

By ForwardPlant Team

Lilies, particularly those in the *Lilium* and *Hemerocallis* genera, are highly toxic to cats due to insoluble calcium oxalate crystals and other unknown compounds. Ingesting any part of the plant, including pollen or even water from the vase, can cause acute kidney failure, leading to severe symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, and dehydration. Without immediate veterinary intervention, lily poisoning in cats can be fatal.

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