Our dogs love to eat but sometimes, they’ll have a munch on things they’re not supposed to. As some of you know, lilies, although pretty, can be dangerous for cats but is it the same for dogs?
Though rarely lethal, they can be highly toxic to your pup too. Find out the answer to ‘are lilies poisonous to dogs?’
Are lilies poisonous to dogs?
There are a variety of different types of lilies – some of these are highly toxic and some are not so much. We say it’s not worth the risk in your home or garden and suggest steering clear of them altogether to make sure your dog is always safe.
Severely poisonous lilies to dogs:
Prairie Lily or Rain Lily – the bulbs for this are especially poisonous to dogs and can cause up to severe gastrointestinal upset.
Lily of the Valley – If any of the plant is ingested, vomiting, diarrhoea, slowed heart rare, seizures, heart arrhythmias and even death are a possible result because of the gastrointestinal irritants.
Highly poisonous lilies to dogs:
Peace Lily – If absorbed into the skin tissue, the insoluble calcium oxalate crystals can cause gastrointestinal irritation. It can lead to burning of the mouth, vomiting, drooling and difficulty swallowing.
Calla Lily – containing the same ingredient, this lily is will also cause mouth irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, decreased appetite and excessive drooling.
Non- toxic lilies to dogs:
Peruvian lily
Tiger lily
Daylily
Easter lily
Though the plants above are labelled as non-toxic, they can still cause stomach upsets and we suggest avoiding them altogether.
Why are lilies poisonous to dogs?
We want out dogs to have the perfect balanced dog diet and we work hard to meet all their nutritional needs but sometimes their curious nature gets the better of them. It’s easy for them to take a nibble of things that are growing in the garden or that you have in the house. The reason lilies may be poisonous comes down to the type of lily. A lot contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals or cardio glycosides which are highly toxic to dogs and will lead to irritation.
For this reason, it is better to be safe than sorry and avoid lilies in both the home and your garden. If you get a bouquet of flowers containing lilies, display them out of reach of your dog and once wilted, dispose of them safely.
Signs of lily poisoning in dogs
If however you think your dog might have got their teeth into any of the lily family, contact your vet immediately. If you know the type of lily, make sure you tell them that.
The symptoms you may see if your dog has ingested one of the more toxic lilies are:
Treatment for signs of lily poisoning in dogs
Treatment for dogs who have ingested lilies depends on their signs, the type of lily, and how long ago it was ingested. Call your vet immediately you’re aware of the situation. The quicker you can get your dog to the vet for treatment, the easier treatment will be and the more likely it is to be successful.
Ways to keep dogs away from poisonous plants
Our top tip is to not have lilies anywhere in your home or garden. In the event that they find themselves in your house, we suggest to do the following:
- Keep them far out of reach from your dog.
- Place on high sturdy surfaces.
- Pick up any fallen leaves, petals or pollen.
- Dispose of wilted flowers carefully and somewhere you dog has no access.
Now that you know certain plants, such as lilies, are toxic, why not learn which foods are harmful to dogs.
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