Is Day Lilies Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Hemerocallis spp.
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | No |
| Toxic component | Unidentified nephrotoxin (all plant parts, including pollen and vase water) |
| Onset of symptoms | 2 hours for vomiting; kidney failure develops over 24-72 hours in cats |
| Indoor / outdoor | both |
If your pet ate this plant
Both lines are staffed 24/7. A consultation fee applies to each. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
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Symptoms in dogs
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
Symptoms in cats
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Increased or decreased urination
- Dehydration
- Seizures in advanced cases
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What to do
If a cat has had ANY contact with a true lily — chewing a leaf, licking pollen off fur, or drinking vase water — treat this as a veterinary emergency immediately, even before symptoms appear. Early IV fluid therapy within 18 hours dramatically improves survival odds.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Day Lilies is unidentified nephrotoxin (all plant parts, including pollen and vase water).
What makes this plant different
Day lilies bloom for only a single day per flower, but the plant itself carries the same severe, multi-day-developing kidney toxicity in cats as true Lilium species — the flower's short life has no bearing on how long the poisoning takes to become dangerous.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Hemerocallis spp.
- Family
- Xanthorrhoeaceae
- Also known as
- Day Lilies, many varieties
- Typically found
- both
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Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control