Peace lilies are popular indoor plants used as home decor. They are recognizable for their large, green leaves that surround smaller, white flowers.
Many lily plants such as daylilies or tiger lilies are known to be highly toxic to both dogs and cats, with some even being lethal.
A VERIFY reader reached out to ask if peace lilies are also toxic to pets.
THE QUESTION
Are peace lilies toxic to pets?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
Yes, peace lilies are toxic to pets. However, in most cases they are not lethal.
WHAT WE FOUND
Peace lilies are toxic if consumed by dogs or cats.
Other types of lilies - like those from the genus Lilium and the genus Hemerocallis - are actually more poisonous to pets than peace lilies, which are from the genus Spathiphyllum.
What makes peace lilies toxic is the calcium oxalate crystals found throughout the plant.
The peace lily plant’s calcium oxalate crystals release when the plant is chewed. These needle-like substances can then become lodged in the mouth, potentially leading to oral pain, drooling, vomiting or diarrhea, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The Pet Poison Helpline notes that in rare cases, swelling of the upper airway can occur, making breathing difficult. But both ASPCA and the Pet Poison Helpline say it's not common for peace lily ingestion to cause life-threatening problems.
The minimum consumption amount for peace lilies to cause a pet to be sick is unknown. The Pet Poison Helpline provides signs to look out for which include drooling, pawing at the mouth, decreased appetite and vomiting.
The American College of Veterinary Pharmacists says any suspected ingestion amount should immediately be reported to a veterinarian as treatment is recommended.
In general, lilies of the genus Lilium and the genus Hemerocallis have been known to cause more serious effects, particularly in cats. This is because they “produce a chemical that is present in all parts of the plant that can damage cat kidneys,” according to a University of California Davis article. The chemical that makes lilies of these genera toxic is currently unknown, but it is known to be water soluble, so even drinking water from a vase or bowl that had lilies inside can cause trouble for pets. Kidney damage from these lilies is often fatal for cats.
Dogs who eat lilies of the genus Lilium and the genus Hemerocallis “do not develop kidney failure, although they may have an upset stomach,” the UC Davis article explains.
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