When it comes to lilies and dogs, the situation is more nuanced than many pet owners expect. Unlike cats — where virtually any true lily can cause fatal kidney failure from even minor exposure — dogs face a more varied threat. Whether or not lilies are toxic to dogs depends significantly on which plant is involved. Some species cause mild stomach upset. Others, like lily of the valley, are among the most cardiotoxic plants known to affect companion animals. Knowing the difference could save your dog’s life.

Which Lilies Are Toxic to Dogs?

Not every plant with “lily” in its name belongs to the same botanical family, and that distinction matters enormously when assessing risk. Here is a breakdown of the most common lily species and how dangerous each one is to dogs.

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) — most dangerous. This is the lily that dog owners should fear most. Lily of the valley contains cardiac glycosides — specifically convallatoxin and convalloside — that interfere directly with the heart’s electrical signaling. Even small amounts can cause a dangerous drop in heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms, and in severe cases, cardiac arrest. All parts of the plant are toxic, including the red berries that form after the flowers drop. This plant is a genuine emergency if ingested.

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) — mild to moderate toxicity. Despite its name, peace lily is not a true lily at all — it belongs to the Araceae family. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in its leaves and stems. When a dog chews on a peace lily, those crystals are released and cause immediate, intense irritation to the mouth, tongue, and throat. Symptoms include drooling, pawing at the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Serious systemic illness is uncommon, but the discomfort can be significant and warrants a veterinary call.

True lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis genera) — gastrointestinal upset. Easter lilies, tiger lilies, Asiatic lilies, daylilies, and their close relatives are devastating to cats but pose a lower level of risk to dogs. Dogs that eat these plants typically experience vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Kidney failure, which is the hallmark of true lily poisoning in cats, is not the expected outcome in dogs — but large ingestions should still be evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out complications.

Calla lily (Zantedeschia spp.) — irritant. Like peace lily, calla lily contains calcium oxalate crystals and causes oral and GI irritation. It is not considered life-threatening in dogs but can cause enough discomfort to warrant a call to your vet.

Symptoms of Lily Toxicity in Dogs

The symptoms your dog displays will depend largely on which species of lily was ingested and how much. Knowing what to look for helps you act quickly and give your veterinarian the most useful information possible.

Gastrointestinal signs are the most common across all lily species. These include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, loss of appetite, and nausea. Dogs that have chewed on peace lily or calla lily may paw repeatedly at their mouth or face, refuse water, and appear distressed shortly after exposure.

Cardiac signs are the critical warning with lily of the valley. Watch for weakness, collapse, slow or irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, fainting, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms can develop within one to two hours of ingestion and represent a life-threatening emergency. A dog showing any combination of weakness and collapse after lily exposure should be treated as a cardiac emergency.

General lethargy and depression can accompany all types of lily ingestion. A dog that is quiet, uninterested in food, or slow to respond after chewing on any plant in your garden or home deserves veterinary attention, especially if you cannot confirm exactly which plant was involved.

Do not wait for symptoms to worsen before calling for help. Early treatment consistently produces better outcomes, and a poison control specialist can help you determine urgency based on what your dog ate and how much.

What to Do If Your Dog Ate a Lily

Your response in the first hour after exposure can make a significant difference in your dog’s outcome. Follow these steps as soon as you suspect your dog has eaten any part of a lily plant.

Identify the plant if at all possible. The species determines the level of urgency. Lily of the valley requires immediate emergency care. True lilies and peace lilies require prompt veterinary evaluation. Take a photo of the plant and, if safe to do so, bring a sample to the clinic. If you cannot identify the plant, treat the situation as serious regardless.

Call your veterinarian or a poison control hotline immediately. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available 24 hours at (888) 426-4435. The Pet Poison Helpline can be reached at (855) 764-7661. These specialists can assess the risk based on your dog’s weight, the species involved, and the estimated amount consumed.

Do not induce vomiting at home unless a veterinary professional explicitly instructs you to do so. Inducing vomiting in a dog showing neurological or cardiac symptoms can cause additional harm. Always get professional guidance first.

Monitor closely and transport promptly. Keep your dog calm and quiet. If your dog begins showing weakness, collapse, or difficulty breathing after lily of the valley exposure, go to an emergency clinic immediately — do not wait for a callback.

Treatment

Treatment varies based on the species ingested and how quickly the dog receives care. For peace lily and true lily ingestion, the veterinarian may induce vomiting if ingestion was recent, followed by activated charcoal to limit further absorption. Supportive care — IV fluids, anti-nausea medication, and monitoring — is typically sufficient for most cases.

Lily of the valley poisoning requires more aggressive intervention. The cardiac glycosides it contains can cause arrhythmias that need to be managed with specific medications. The dog will require cardiac monitoring, IV fluid support, and potentially anti-arrhythmic drugs. Digoxin-specific antibody fragments (Digibind) have been used in severe cases. Hospitalization for 24 to 48 hours is common with significant lily of the valley ingestion.

Dog-Safe Flower Alternatives

Keeping lilies out of your home does not mean giving up on flowers altogether. Many popular varieties are considered non-toxic to dogs by the ASPCA. Roses (with thorns removed), sunflowers, snapdragons, gerbera daisies, orchids, freesia, and celosia are all generally safe choices. Lisianthus and wax flowers work well in cut bouquets without posing a significant hazard. When buying mixed arrangements from a florist, always ask them to confirm every flower included — lilies are a common filler in grocery store and florist bouquets and can appear without warning. For more guidance on dog-safe home environments, visit our dog care blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are lilies toxic to dogs the same way they are to cats?

No. Cats and dogs react very differently to lily exposure. True lilies from the Lilium genus cause fatal kidney failure in cats from even tiny amounts of pollen or vase water. Dogs do not experience this same kidney-specific toxicity. However, lilies are still toxic to dogs depending on the species — lily of the valley in particular poses a serious cardiac risk, and all lily species can cause varying degrees of gastrointestinal distress. The relative safety difference compared to cats does not mean dogs can safely eat lilies.

How much lily of the valley is dangerous for a dog?

Lily of the valley is toxic to dogs in small quantities because of the potency of its cardiac glycosides. There is no established “safe” amount. Even a modest ingestion — a few leaves or flowers — can cause cardiac symptoms in a medium-sized dog. Small dogs are at greater risk from the same quantity. Any known or suspected ingestion of lily of the valley should be treated as an emergency, regardless of how little the dog appears to have consumed.

My dog chewed on a peace lily — is that an emergency?

Peace lily toxicity in dogs is generally considered mild to moderate rather than life-threatening, but it still warrants a call to your veterinarian or poison control. The calcium oxalate crystals cause real discomfort — your dog may drool heavily, paw at its mouth, vomit, or refuse to eat or drink. Most dogs recover fully with supportive care, but severe swelling of the mouth or throat can occasionally interfere with breathing and requires prompt attention. When in doubt, call first and let a professional assess the situation.

What should I tell the vet when I call about lily exposure?

Give your veterinarian or poison control specialist as much detail as possible: the species of lily if you know it (or a description and photo), which part of the plant your dog ate (leaf, flower, stem, bulb), roughly how much was consumed, and when ingestion occurred. Your dog’s weight is also important, as toxicity thresholds are often dose-dependent. If you still have the plant, bring it with you to the clinic. The more specific you can be, the faster and more accurately the veterinary team can assess the risk and recommend treatment.