Is Lily of The Valley (convallaria Majalis) safe for Dogs?
✓ Sources checked by the Eaoae Safety Review · 2026-10-28 · Based on 3 sources
No, lily of the valley is unsafe for dogs. It contains cardiac glycosides (convallatoxin) that cause vomiting, dangerous heart rhythm changes, low blood pressure, weakness, and potentially seizures, coma, and death. All parts are toxic, including the berries.
🚨 Emergency: Yes — contact your veterinarian immediately.
💡 Why
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) looks delicate but is one of the most cardiotoxic garden plants. Its convallatoxin and related glycosides poison the heart's electrical system, much like oleander and foxglove. Dogs that chew the leaves, flowers, or bright red berries develop GI upset followed by arrhythmias, hypotension, and possible seizures or collapse. Every part of the plant -- including the rhizomes underground -- is dangerous.
🩺 What to do
- Remove lily of the valley from gardens dogs access; the red berries attract curious dogs.
- Any ingestion is an emergency -- go to the vet immediately for cardiac monitoring.
- Bring a sample or photo for identification.
❓ Common questions
Which parts are toxic?
All of them: leaves, flowers, berries, stems, and underground rhizomes. There is no safe part.
What are the signs?
Vomiting and diarrhea first, then weakness, irregular or slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, disorientation, and possible seizures.
How is it treated?
Decontamination, IV fluids, continuous ECG monitoring, and medications to stabilize heart rhythm. There is no home antidote.
📚 Sources
- Are Lilies Poisonous to Dogs?
- 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 (dogs) | ⛔ Unsafe \u2014 Known to be harmful or toxic. Keep it away from your pet. | ||
🔗 Related checks for dogs
- peach pits ⛔ Unsafe
- Fibrecap mushroom (Inocybe spp.) ⛔ Unsafe
- Cucumber Slices ✅ Safe
- Strawberry ✅ Safe
- macadamia nuts ⛔ Unsafe
- Autumn skullcap mushroom (Galerina marginata) ⛔ Unsafe
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.
