Is Lily of the Valley poisonous to dogs and cats?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 4 sources

Based on: US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine, Pet Poison Helpline, NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Call a vet now

Lily of the Valley is poisonous to dogs and cats – call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now if your pet has eaten any of it. All parts of the plant are poisonous.

  • Dogs Call a vet now
  • Cats Call a vet now
What to do now

What to do right now

  1. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
  2. Note which plant, which part, how much and when.
  3. Take a photo or a piece of the plant with you.
  4. Remove what is left and move the plant out of reach.
  5. Keep your pet calm.

Don't

  • Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.
  • Do not give any human medicine.

Why it can be dangerous

All parts of Convallaria are poisonous to cats and dogs, and the plant contains cardiac glycosides and saponins.[4] Reported signs include vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, changes in heart rate or rhythm, weakness, and seizures.[1][2]

Signs to watch for

  • Abnormal heart rhythm
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Weakness
  • Seizures
Scientific name
Convallaria
Poisonous parts
all parts

What the experts say

“Both lily-of-the-valley and the gloriosa or flame lily are very dangerous to cats and dogs.”

— US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine [1]

“Problems: Poisonous to Humans, Problem for Cats, Problem for Dogs, Problem for Horses, Weedy”

— NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox [3]
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

Get it on Google Play

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

Which parts of Lily of the Valley are poisonous?

All parts of the plant are poisonous.[4]

Is Lily of the Valley dangerous for cats too?

Yes. Lily of the Valley is listed as very dangerous to cats and dogs.[1]

What signs may a pet show?

Possible signs include abnormal heart rhythm, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and seizures.[2]

Sources

  1. US FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine
  2. Pet Poison Helpline
  3. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
  4. Cornell University Dept. of Animal Science - Plants Poisonous to Livestock and other Animals

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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