Are Lilies Poisonous to Dogs?

The toxic compounds in lilies:

• Cardenolides / cardiac glycosides (e.g. convallarin) in lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
• Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in peace lily (Spathiphyllum) and calla lily (Zantedeschia)
• Unidentified toxic principle in true lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) — causes only GI signs in dogs, but fatal kidney injury in cats

If your dog ate lilies, watch for:

• •True lilies / daylilies in dogs: vomiting, diarrhea and general stomach upset; swallowed bulbs can cause GI obstruction
• •Peace lily / calla lily (calcium oxalates): oral irritation, intense burning of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
• •Lily of the valley (cardiac glycosides): vomiting, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, disorientation, seizures, coma

Are all lilies dangerous to dogs, or only some?

It depends on the plant. True lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) usually cause only stomach upset in dogs — they are not the kidney-killers in dogs that they are in cats. But other plants sold as "lilies" are genuinely toxic to dogs: lily of the valley can cause dangerous heart-rhythm changes and seizures, and peace lily and calla lily cause painful mouth irritation and drooling. Because the name "lily" covers all of these, treat any lily as a plant to keep away from your dog.

Is lily of the valley really that dangerous to dogs?

Yes. Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) contains cardiac glycosides (cardenolides such as convallarin). Per the ASPCA it can cause vomiting, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, disorientation, seizures and coma in dogs. All parts of the plant, including the water in a vase, can be harmful. Any suspected ingestion is an emergency — contact a vet or poison control right away.

My dog only chewed a true lily (Lilium) leaf — is that an emergency?

For Lilium and daylilies, dogs typically develop GI upset (vomiting, diarrhea) rather than the fatal kidney failure seen in cats, so it is generally less severe than a cat exposure. However, swallowed bulbs can cause a gut obstruction, and it can be hard to be sure exactly which "lily" your dog ate. Monitor closely and call your vet or a pet poison line if signs appear or if a bulb may have been eaten.

• ASPCA — Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Lily (Lilium species)
• ASPCA — Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
• ASPCA — Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
• ASPCA — Which Lilies Are Toxic to Pets?

Last updated 2026-06-25