Is Lily of The Valley (convallaria Majalis) safe for Cats?
✓ Sources checked by the Eaoae Safety Review · 2026-10-28 · Based on 3 sources
No, lily of the valley is unsafe for cats. Cardiac glycosides cause vomiting, arrhythmias, low blood pressure, disorientation, and potentially seizures, coma, and death. Cats are highly vulnerable due to their small size.
🚨 Emergency: Yes — contact your veterinarian immediately.
💡 Why
In cats, lily of the valley's convallatoxin produces the same cardiac poisoning as in dogs: GI distress followed by dangerous heart rhythm disturbances, hypotension, weakness, and possible neurological signs. Do not confuse it with true lilies (Lilium spp.) -- both are deadly to cats but through different mechanisms (cardiac vs kidney). Outdoor cats that nibble garden plants and indoor cats given cut flowers in vases are both at risk.
🩺 What to do
- Any suspected nibbling is an immediate emergency vet visit.
- Do not bring lily of the valley cuttings indoors.
- Watch for vomiting and lethargy as early warnings.
❓ Common questions
Is it the same as true lily poisoning?
No -- true lilies destroy the kidneys; lily of the valley poisons the heart. Both can kill cats, just differently.
What will I see in my cat?
Vomiting, lethargy, irregular heartbeat, weakness, collapse, and in severe cases seizures.
How do I protect my cat?
Keep cats away from garden beds containing it, and never bring the cut flowers indoors where cats chew plants.
📚 Sources
- Lily Toxicity: The Potentially Fatal Danger to Cats
- Pet Poison Helpline: Lily of the Valley Poisoning
- Pet Poison Helpline: Top 10 Plants Poisonous to Pets
- ASPCA: Lily of the Valley
🔎 How the sources compare
What each authority says about Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) \u2014 compiled 2026-10-28. Eaoae’s verdict summarizes these sources; it is not our own diagnosis.
| Source | Dogs | Cats | Dose info |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASPCA Animal Poison Control | Toxic to dogs — Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis); toxic principles are cardenolides (convallarin and other cardiac glycosides); clinical signs include vomiting, irregular heart beat, low blood pressure, disorientation, coma and seizures | Toxic to cats — Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis); toxic principles are cardenolides (convallarin and other cardiac glycosides); clinical signs include vomiting, irregular heart beat, low blood pressure, disorientation, coma and seizures | — |
| Pet Poison Helpline | Toxic — Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) contains cardiac glycosides; in dogs and cats it can cause weakness, gastrointestinal upset and inappetence, and an abnormally high or low heart rate and/or abnormal heart rhythm | Toxic — Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) contains cardiac glycosides; in dogs and cats it can cause weakness, gastrointestinal upset and inappetence, and an abnormally high or low heart rate and/or abnormal heart rhythm | — |
| Merck Veterinary Manual | Not covered | Not covered | — |
| VCA Hospitals | Not covered | Not a true lily and does not cause kidney failure in cats; instead, Lily of the Valley contains heart toxins, resulting in cardiovascular changes | — |
| Eaoae summary (cats) | ⛔ Unsafe \u2014 Known to be harmful or toxic. Keep it away from your pet. | ||
🔗 Related checks for cats
- acetaminophen ⛔ Unsafe
- alcohol ⛔ Unsafe
- Sweet Potato ⚠️ Caution
- Chicken ✅ Safe
- Cat Grass ✅ Safe
- Salmon ⚠️ Caution
Checked with Eaoae’s safety lookup. Answers are generated for reference and may be incomplete — always confirm with your vet for your individual pet. Spotted an error? Let us know.
