Cats are curious. But as they play and roam around the house or yard, their inquisitive personalities could get the better of them, says the US Food and Drug Administration, cautioning pet owners on the risks posed by lilies.

The “true lily” and “daylily” families are very dangerous for cats. The entire lily plant is toxic: the stem, leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the water in a vase. Eating even a small amount of a leaf or flower petal, licking a few pollen grains off its fur while grooming, or drinking the water from the vase can cause your cat to develop fatal kidney failure in less than three days. The toxin, which only affects cats, has not been identified. Dogs that eat lilies may have minor stomach upset but don’t develop kidney failure.

Early signs of lily toxicity in cats include decreased activity level, drooling, vomiting, and loss of appetite. These symptoms start 0 to 12 hours after ingestion. Signs of kidney damage start 12 to 24 hours after ingestion and include increased urination and dehydration. Kidney failure occurs within 24 to 72 hours, leading to death if the cat isn’t treated. Early veterinary treatment greatly improves the cat’s prognosis. However, if treatment is delayed by 18 hours or more after ingestion, the cat will generally have irreversible kidney failure.

Lilies are popular around the world in bouquets and gardens, but the regulator lists out toxic lilies. And because lilies are dangerous and there’s a high risk of death if ingested, it’s best to not bring these plants into your home if you have a cat. It’s also best if you don’t plant them in your garden if your cat goes outside.

Source: USFDA

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