Is Calla Lily toxic to cats?
Calla lily (Zantedeschia, not a true lily) is an irritant to cats (S2 Irritant): its insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause intense burning of the mouth, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing — the same mechanism as peace lily, not the kidney failure of true lilies.
- TOXINinsoluble calcium oxalates
- WHAT TO EXPECToral irritation; intense burning of mouth, tongue and lips; excessive drooling; pawing at the mouth
- CALL THE VETCall your vet if drooling or vomiting persists or worsens, or your cat stops eating — and go immediately if you see any swelling of the mouth or trouble breathing.
Symptoms
| SIGN |
|---|
| oral irritation; intense burning of mouth, tongue and lips |
| excessive drooling |
| pawing at the mouth |
| vomiting |
| difficulty swallowing |
| decreased appetite |
| swelling of the upper airway (very rare) |
If your cat just ate it
Same tabletop look, minus the risk
3 tabletop plants graded S0 — non-toxic on record.
Care at a glance
FAQ
Is a calla lily a true lily — will it cause kidney failure in my cat?
No. A calla lily is Zantedeschia, a member of the arum family (Araceae), not a Lilium, and its record is a different kind of danger. The ASPCA lists insoluble calcium oxalates as the toxic principle, with signs of "Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing" — the same mechanism as peace lily and pothos, graded S2 Irritant here. The acute kidney failure that makes lilies lethal to cats belongs to true lilies and daylilies, which are S4. Pet Poison Helpline adds one rare escalation for calla lilies: "VERY rarely, swelling of the upper airway occurs making it difficult to breathe." If your cat has chewed one, remove the plant and watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, or vomiting; call your vet if signs persist, or immediately if there is any swelling or trouble breathing.
What happens if my cat bites a calla lily?
The reaction is immediate and in the mouth. Calla lilies contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, and the ASPCA lists the result as "Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing." Pet Poison Helpline's signs to watch for are drooling, oral pain, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, and decreased appetite, and it records one rare escalation: "VERY rarely, swelling of the upper airway occurs making it difficult to breathe." Most cats stop after one bite because it hurts. Remove the plant and watch for those signs; if they persist, call your vet, and go immediately if you see any swelling or trouble breathing.
Are calla lilies toxic to dogs too?
Yes, with the same record. The ASPCA lists calla lily as "Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats," and the mechanism does not depend on the species: chewing releases insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense burning of the mouth, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Pet Poison Helpline notes that, very rarely, the upper airway can swell. The grade is S2 Irritant on our calla lily page for dogs. This is not the true-lily danger either way — true lilies are S0 for dogs and S4 for cats, a different plant and a different record. If signs persist, call your vet; any swelling or trouble breathing, go immediately.