Keep Cats Away from Easter Lilies – Learn why These Plants are Poisonous
Easter lilies are beautiful flowers, and cats may be drawn to them because of their lovely scent. Unfortunately, Easter lilies are toxic to cats — ingestion of any parts of the plant can cause acute kidney failure. Keeping cats away from Easter lilies is essential for their safety and wellbeing, and understanding why these plants are poisonous is an important first step. Learn more about the dangers of Easter lilies and how to keep your cat safe this holiday season.
What Easter Lilies Are Poisonous to Cats?
Easter lilies are a popular flower arrangement choice during the spring months, however they can pose a risk to cats if ingested. All parts of the Easter lily, including the flower, pollen, and the leaves are poisonous to felines and in some cases, even fatal.
In cats, ingestion of Easter lilies can cause severe kidney failure. Symptoms of poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration and lethargy. If your cat has eaten any part of an Easter lily, contact a vet immediately for advice or medical assistance. Sadly, because there is no specific treatment for this type of poison, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Other members of the Lilium family, including Tiger lilies, Japanese Show lilies, some Rubrum lilies, Asiatic hybrid lilies, daylilies and Stargazer lilies may also be toxic to felines, so it’s important to watch for signs of these other varieties when purchasing flowers for the home. It is best to opt for alternative bouquets instead, such as daisies, gerbera daisies and carnations.
Symptoms of Easter Lily Poisoning in Cats
Easter lilies are a popular plant used to celebrate the Easter holiday, but they can be toxic to cats if eaten. Signs of poisoning in cats include nausea, vomiting, drooling, abdominal pain, lethargy, loss of appetite, and increased thirst. If your cat has ingested any part of an Easter lily, take them to the vet immediately. The effects of Easter lily ingestion can be fatal if left untreated.
Easter lilies contain toxins called lycorine and macadine that act as diuretics. Diuretics increase urination while reducing potassium levels in the blood, which can affect the nervous system and cause kidney damage in cats. In severe cases, kidney failure and death can occur. With timely intervention and treatment, most cats survive.
Early signs of Easter lily poisoning can range from mild stomach upset (vomiting) to severe renal failure. Depending on how much was ingested, other symptoms may include difficulty walking, seizures, drooling, coordination problems, depression, difficulty breathing, increased urination, increased heart rate/blood pressure, changes in behaviour/mentality or coma. If your cat experiences any of these symptoms after ingesting an Easter lily, seek medical attention immediately.
Ways to Keep Cats Away from Easter Lilies
Easter lilies are beautiful flowers for Easter decorations, but unfortunately they can be a danger to cats if ingested. To keep cats away from Easter lilies and other lilies, there are simple steps that can be taken to keep your cat safe. First and foremost, try to keep lilies out of reach by placing them high up or inside glass vases for display. Setting up a physical barrier between the cat and the lilies such as baby gates or removable Plexiglas panels is also an option. Furthermore, spraying lily buds with a citrus or menthol spray can deter cats from getting close and trying to eat them. If you want to embrace the celebrations with a live plant, consider using cat-friendly alternatives, like daffodils, tulips, and daisies, which do not pose a threat to felines!
The Dangers of Easter Lily Exposure for Cats
Pets and Easter lilies are generally a dangerous combination, as exposure to the plant can cause serious illness or even death. Easter lilies, including tiger, stargazer, Asiatic, and Japanese lilies, release toxins that can cause severe kidney damage in cats if ingested within two days of exposure. It only takes a small amount of lily material – such as leaves, petals, or pollen – for the toxin to be fatal. In addition, a cat’s fur may absorb lily toxins if exposed to the plant; after grooming, the cat then ingests the toxins when licking its fur clean. Therefore, it is very important to keep cats away from any lily plants. Even if the cat has ingested only bits of the plant, contact a veterinarian immediately and provide information about what type of lily was ingested, when it was ingested, and any symptoms currently being displayed. Symptoms can include vomiting, lethargy, dehydration, and an increase or decrease in urine production (depending on the extent of the toxicity). If you bring your cat to the veterinarian right away with this information, he or she has the best chance of surviving the exposure.
It is important to keep cats away from Easter lilies, as all parts of this plant can cause serious health problems if ingested. Cat owners should take caution by not having any Easter lilies within reach of their pets, and never put the plants in areas where cats are likely to access it. It is also a good idea to inspect your home regularly for any stray lilies that may have become present through cut bouquets. By taking these steps, you can help ensure your cat remains safe and healthy this Easter season.