Are Peace Lilies Toxic To Cats? What You Need To Know

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Peace Lily Toxicity in Cats - Is Your Cat Safe?

An important question for many houseplant parents is whether their peace lily is toxic to cats. The short answer is yes, but there’s more to the story. Attractive and easy to care for, peace lilies are popular houseplants. But do your peace lily and cat belong in the same house?

Is Peace Lily Poisonous to Cats?

If you have a peace lily, your cat shouldn’t be allowed to eat it, but there is much more of a danger with true lilies. The peace lily belongs to the Araceae family and Spathyphyllum genus of tropical plants, but true lilies belong to the Liliaceae family and lilium genus, and those are the ones you definitely want to separate from your beloved pets.

True lilies are highly toxic to cats. Some examples of lilies commonly used in gardens or as houseplants or cut flowers include Easter, Asiatic, Stargazer, and Tiger lilies. They are the ones that contain compounds that affect a cat’s kidneys. Even consuming a very small amount can be fatal to a cat by causing acute kidney failure.

Cats and Peace Lily Toxicity

Considered mildly to moderately toxic, peace lilies are much less toxic than true lilies and are unlikely to cause fatalities in cats. However, peace lilies contain a substance called calcium oxalate, which are insoluble crystals. A cat chewing on a peace lily releases the calcium oxalate crystals, which will penetrate tissues and cause discomfort, irritating the mouth and gastrointestinal tracts of cats. Peace lilies should certainly not be available to them in the areas where they commonly play and eat.

Common Symptoms

The act of chewing on the leaves releases crystals immediately, so most cats show signs of irritation right away. Typical symptoms of peace lily poisoning include:

• Oral pain and irritation

• Drooling

• Pawing at the mouth

• Vomiting

• Difficulty swallowing

• Decreased irritation

In very rare cases calcium oxalate crystals cause swelling in the upper airway. This can make it difficult for the cat to breathe, so even though the peace lily is less toxic than a true lily, it can certainly cause problems and discomfort for curious felines.

What to Do if Your Cat Eats a Peace Lily

Most cats will be fine after the irritation passes. You can help your cat feel better by removing any plant matter remaining in their mouth. Wipe down their paws if they’ve touched the chewed plant. Although your cat is most likely ok, it’s a good idea to call your veterinarian. If your cat seems to be struggling to breathe, contact your vet immediately or go to an emergency vet.

How to Protect Your Cat from Peace Lilies

Because peace lilies are not fatally toxic, cat owners might be alright with having them in the house. Since it causes instant irritation, most cats will stop chewing a peace lily right away, making it unlikely they will ingest very much of the plant.

Still, it’s best to take some precautions if you have a peace lily and cats. If there is a room or an area of the house your cat doesn’t go, consider keeping the peace lily there. You can also make it distasteful to your cat by spraying the leaves with diluted lemon juice or a specially made deterrent spray from the pet store.

Another good strategy is to provide your cat with plants that are safe to chew. Try cat grass, mint, or catnip. If your cat tries to chew on a peace lily, redirect them to one of these safer alternatives or choose plants that cats avoid.

Peace lilies are considered only moderately toxic, but to be completely safe, it’s best not to have them in a home with cats. They are similarly toxic for dogs. Choose pet-safe plants to enjoy houseplants and to protect your furry friends.