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Don’t make a dangerous spring mistake in your home - Know your flowers!

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Of the three types of lilies pictures above, none of them are safe to keep around your cat or dog. 

Lilies are beautiful plants that can be commonly found in gardens, stores, and flower bouquets all across the world. But for our pets, these attractive flowers hide an unexpected danger. Lily toxicity can cause vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, and even death - and it only takes a small amount of the plant to do serious damage.

All types of lilies are poisonous to cats and dogs, and can cause everything from stomach upset and vomiting to acute kidney failure and death. Cats are especially sensitive, and even chewing on 1-2 leaves, grooming pollen off their fur, or drinking the water from a flower vase can cause serious kidney damage within 24 hours. Immediate, aggressive veterinary care is needed to help cats recover from lily poisoning.

The most toxic types of lilies are also the most popular - Tiger lilies, Easter lilies, Day lilies, Asiatic lilies, and Lilies of the Valley should be kept well out of reach of animals, or not allowed in the house altogether. If you suspect your pet has ingested part of one of these lilies, immediately call an emergency vet or Animal Poison Control. 

Calla lilies, Peace lilies, and Peruvian lilies are also toxic, but less so - they mostly cause vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. A vet visit is always recommended if your pet is seen getting into these types of lilies.

For flowers that you can keep instead, roses, Gerbera daisies, orchids, sunflowers, zinnia, marigolds, and aster are all pet-safe alternatives. If you ever have questions about whether a particular plant is safe to have around your furry family members, always give your veterinarian a call to check.

 


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