Is it OK to have lilies in the house with a dog?

Quick Answer

No, it is generally not recommended to keep lilies in the house if you have dogs. Many types of lilies are extremely toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure and death if ingested. Even small amounts of pollen or water from the vase can make dogs very sick. It’s best to keep lilies and other toxic plants out of reach of curious canines.

What Makes Lilies Toxic to Dogs?

Lilies contain several compounds that are poisonous to dogs, including:

• Lily alkaloids – Found in all parts of the plant. Cause kidney damage.
• Saponins – Found in leaves/stems. Cause vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea.
• Glycosides – Found in flowers. Lower blood pressure and cause arrhythmias.

Dogs are extremely sensitive to these compounds, while other pets like cats are generally unaffected. Even small ingestions can result in irreversible kidney damage and failure within just a few days.

Which Lily Varieties are Most Toxic?

All lily varieties are potentially toxic. However, true lilies are generally the most dangerous:

Lily Type	Toxicity Level
Tiger lily	Extremely toxic
Asian lily	Extremely toxic
Daylily	Mildly toxic
Calla lily	Moderately toxic
Peace lily	Moderately toxic
Lily of the valley	Extremely toxic

As you can see, true lilies like Tiger, Asian, and Lily of the Valley are the most dangerous varieties and should be avoided. Calla and peace lilies are slightly less toxic but still pose a significant risk.

How are Dogs Exposed to Lilies?

There are several ways dogs can ingest or come in contact with poisonous lilies:

• Chewing/eating flowers or leaves – Dogs may bite or eat parts of lilies out of curiosity or boredom.
• Drinking vase water – Dogs could drink lily vase water that contains traces of pollen or sap.
• Ingesting pollen – Even pollen or traces on their fur from brushing against the flowers can be dangerous if licked/ingested.
• Eating lily bulbs – The underground bulbs of lilies also contain toxins.

Dogs can easily access lilies in gardens, floral arrangements, table centerpieces, or cut flowers around the home. Be sure to keep all lilies well out of reach.

What are the Symptoms of Lily Toxicity?

Within 2-4 hours after ingesting lily plants or water, dogs may begin showing:

• Excessive drooling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain

In the next 12-24 hours, they may display:

• Increased urination
• Lethargy
• Depression
• Loss of appetite
• Shaking

Within a few days, kidney dysfunction, failure, and death can occur without treatment. Needless to say, it’s critical to seek vet care immediately if poisoning is suspected.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats Lilies

Time is critical for survival. If you see your dog ingest any part of a lily plant, follow these steps:

1. Identify the lily – The variety will help determine treatment.
2. Remove plant parts – Gently wipe away any remaining pieces in the mouth.
3. Call animal poison control – They’ll advise you on next steps and symptoms to watch for.
4. Visit an emergency vet – They can induce vomiting and provide kidney function support.

With rapid veterinary treatment, the chances for recovery are good if treated within 18 hours of ingestion. However, kidney injury can sometimes still occur.

Preventing Lily Toxicosis

Here are some tips to keep your dog safe from lilies:

• Avoid keeping lilies in your home and garden.
• Choose safer flowers like roses, sunflowers, orchids.
• Keep all indoor and outdoor lilies out of reach.
• Remove and discard any leaves, petals, or pollen that fall.
• Place lily bouquets up high where dogs can’t access.
• Opt for silk or fake lilies for decor.

When in doubt, don’t allow your pooch access to unknown plants. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to lily toxicity.

Are Cats Also at Risk?

Fortunately, cats do not appear to be nearly as sensitive to lilies as dogs are. Small ingestions generally cause only minor stomach upset in felines. However, it’s still smart to keep lilies out of reach for both pets. Call your vet if you see your cat eat any part of a lily.

Other Common Flowers Toxic to Dogs

Lilies aren’t the only flowers potentially dangerous to canines. Here are a few other varieties to avoid having in your home or garden:

Flower	Toxicity Level
Autumn crocus	Extremely toxic
Azalea	Extremely toxic
Daffodil	Extremely toxic
Hydrangea	Mildly toxic
Iris	Moderately toxic
Chrysanthemum	Mildly toxic

As you can see, popular flowers like daffodils, azaleas, and irises can also wreak havoc on a dog’s health. Always research a plant thoroughly before allowing your pets access.

Safe Alternatives to Lilies

If you want to add flowers to your home decor, there are many non-toxic varieties that will not harm dogs, such as:

• Roses
• Sunflowers
• Orchids
• Petunias
• Pansies
• Snapdragons
• Zinnias
• Marigolds
• Geraniums

Stick to these safer flower types and always check for toxicity before allowing access to unknown plants. When in doubt, fake flowers are the best route for pet owners.

Key Takeaways

Here are the key points to remember:

• Lilies are extremely toxic to dogs and cause kidney failure in small doses.
• All parts of the plant are poisonous, including the pollen.
• True lilies like Tiger lilies are most dangerous.
• Ingesting leaves, stems, pollen, or vase water can poison dogs.
• Symptoms like vomiting happen within hours.
• Kidney dysfunction occurs within 1-3 days.
• Emergency vet care is critical for survival chances.
• Prevention methods include avoiding lilies indoors and managing gardens.
• Many other flowers like daffodils are also toxic.
• Roses, orchids, and sunflowers are safer alternatives.

In summary, it’s simply too risky to keep lilies in homes with dogs. Their extreme toxicity makes poisoning a real threat even with small exposures. The safest approach is to enjoy lilies only in outdoor areas dogs don’t access.

Conclusion

Lilies may be beautiful, but they simply do not belong in homes with dogs. All it takes is some curious biting, drinking from a vase, or contact with pollen to potentially send your dog into sudden kidney failure. Unlike some other toxins, lilies are so poisonous that even small ingestions can be life-threatening. No dog owner wants to take the chance of such devastating harm coming to their beloved pet.

Sticking with non-toxic flowers is the wisest approach. There are plenty of lovely options like roses, orchids, and sunflowers that will keep both your decor and your doggo safe. You can also choose realistic silk lily arrangements if you love the look. While lilies themselves may be pretty, they are simply too dangerous a risk around our furry family members. The happiness and health of your canine companion is surely the top priority.