Protect Cats from Lethal Lilies

By: Ashley Berke Date: Mar 14, 2016

Consumption of lilies may induce kidney failure in cats

[March 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA] – With Easter right around the corner, Penn Vet reminds pet owners that lilies are highly toxic to cats, and may cause kidney failure. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous, so lilies should be kept away from cats at all times.

Easter-Lily-sm Lilies dangerous to cats include:

Easter lily
Tiger lily
Rubrum lily
Japanese Show lily
Day lily
Stargazer lily
Asiatic lily

A cat may vomit, lose its appetite, or become lethargic within a few hours of ingesting a toxic plant. If these symptoms occur, see your veterinarian immediately.

Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital is the only veterinary teaching hospital in the nation offering kidney transplantation and hemodialysis under one roof.

Dr. Lillian Aronson, Professor of Small Animal Surgery and Co-Director of the Comprehensive Kidney & Urinary Care Service, founded Penn Vet’s Feline Renal Transplantation Program in 1998. To date, Dr. Aronson has successfully completed over 150 procedures.

Dr. Aronson and the Penn Vet team saved Elvis, a one-year-old cat, from kidney failure after he licked a lily. To learn more about Elvis’ case and kidney transplantation, click here.

About Penn Vet

Ranked among the top ten veterinary schools worldwide, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is a global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, Penn Vet is the first veterinary school developed in association with a medical school. The school is a proud member of the One Health initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health.

Penn Vet serves a diverse population of animals at its two campuses, which include extensive diagnostic and research laboratories. Ryan Hospital in Philadelphia provides care for dogs, cats, and other domestic/companion animals, handling more than 34,600 patient visits a year. New Bolton Center, Penn Vet’s large-animal hospital on nearly 700 acres in rural Kennett Square, PA, cares for horses and livestock/farm animals. The hospital handles more than 6,200 patient visits a year, while our Field Services have gone out on more than 5,500 farm service calls, treating some 18,700 patients at local farms. In addition, New Bolton Center’s campus includes a swine center, working dairy, and poultry unit that provide valuable research for the agriculture industry.