[March 19, 2013; Philadelphia, PA] – With Easter rapidly approaching, the veterinarians at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine would like to remind pet owners that Easter lilies are highly toxic to cats, with the potential for causing kidney failure. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous, so lilies should be kept away from cats at all times.
Lilies dangerous to cats include:
• Easter lily
• Tiger lily
• Rubrum lily
• Japanese show lily
• Day lily
A cat may vomit, lose its appetite or become lethargic within a few hours of eating a dangerous plant. If this happens, see your veterinarian immediately.
In addition, pets should not ingest onions, macadamia nuts or alcohol, as they are toxic to both dogs and cats. Pets also should never be fed chocolate, as it contains the heart stimulant theobromine, which can cause severe heart arrhythmias or seizures if ingested in large doses.