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Is Tiger lily safe for dogs and cats?

Ask your vet about your own pet. This page is general information from the sources below.

ASPCA reports Tiger lily (Lilium tigrinum): listed as non-toxic to dogs and toxic to cats. In cats: vomiting, not eating, being very sleepy, and kidney failure that can lead to death. Both ASPCA and Pet Poison Helpline say cats can be poisoned by a very small contact. Dogs are much less affected. For cats this is an emergency: call a vet or a poison line right away.

Checked October 29, 2026.

By Peabody editors. How we write and check.

Cats and true lilies: an emergency

If a cat may have chewed, licked pollen from its fur, or drunk water from a vase of this plant, call a vet or a poison line right away. Don't wait for signs.

Dogs: Non-toxicListed as non-toxic by the source.
Cats: ToxicAn emergency. Call now.

Also called: no other common names listed. Lilium tigrinum.

What in it is the problem

Unknown (ASPCA says the toxic principle is not known).

What it can do

In cats: vomiting, not eating, being very sleepy, and kidney failure that can lead to death.

Good to know

Both ASPCA and Pet Poison Helpline say cats can be poisoned by a very small contact. Pet Poison Helpline says any amount of leaf, stem, flower, pollen, vase water or root of a true lily (Lilium) can harm a cat and lead to sudden kidney failure. ASPCA says a cat can be poisoned by licking pollen off its fur or drinking water from a vase of lilies, and that kidney damage can often be prevented with fast treatment at a vet hospital but is often fatal if treatment waits more than 18 hours. Dogs are much less affected. If a cat may have touched or tasted any part, call a vet or a poison line right away.

Did your pet chew it?

Call your vet or a pet poison line, and say what plant, how much and when. If you aren't sure which plant it was, take a photo of it.

Poison emergency? Call now

ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435, 24 hours a day, every day. A consultation fee may apply.
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661, 24/7. $99 per incident, follow-up calls included.
Or call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.

For the children

"Some plants can make pets sick, and lilies are very dangerous for cats. Ask a grown-up before you bring a plant or flowers inside."

A job: Be the plant checker. Help a grown-up look up each plant in the house on this site, and write the ones to keep away on a list.

This page is general information from the sources below, not veterinary advice. Common names are shared by different plants, so check the Latin name.

Sources