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Is Tiger Lily Toxic to Dogs? Signs and What to Do

PawAI Lab
7 min read

Learn how tiger lily affects dogs, how the risk differs from cats, and the steps a veterinarian may recommend after a dog chews or swallows any part of the plant.

Quick Answer

Tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium, also called Lilium tigrinum) is potentially harmful to dogs. In dogs, exposure typically causes mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. This is different from cats, in which lilies can cause severe, life-threatening kidney failure. If your dog chewed or swallowed tiger lily, contact a veterinarian or an animal poison-control service for guidance. If a cat in your home also had access to the plant, treat it as an emergency for the cat.

Before using any tool, contact a veterinary professional if your dog may have chewed tiger lily.

  • US: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661)
  • UK: Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) or your nearest veterinary emergency clinic
  • Canada: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661)
  • AU: Animal Emergency Centre or your regular vet
  • EU: Contact your nearest veterinary emergency service

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Safety Verdict

Potentially Harmful. Tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium, also known as Lilium tigrinum) is potentially harmful to dogs. In dogs, exposure to the plant is typically associated with mild gastrointestinal upset rather than the severe organ damage seen in some other species. All parts of the plant, including the leaves, flowers, stems, and pollen, may cause a reaction if chewed or swallowed.

It is important to distinguish dogs from cats. In cats, tiger lily and other true lilies (Lilium species) can cause acute kidney failure, which may be fatal. This risk does not apply in the same way to dogs, and safety conclusions should never be transferred between species. However, because dogs can still experience gastrointestinal distress, no part of the tiger lily should be considered safe for a dog to chew or swallow.

What Should the Owner Do Now?

  1. Contact a veterinarian or animal poison-control service for guidance. Even though dogs generally experience milder effects than cats, a professional can help assess whether examination is needed.
  2. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison-control professional directly instructs you to do so.
  3. Collect relevant information (see the section below) so the veterinary team can assess the situation accurately.
  4. Do not give food, milk, salt, charcoal, or any home remedy. These are not proven treatments and may worsen the situation.
  5. Follow the veterinarian's instructions regarding whether to bring your dog in for examination or supportive care.
  6. Check on any cats in the home. If a cat may have chewed the plant, groomed pollen from its fur, or drunk water from the lily vase, contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately, as this is a far more serious situation for cats.

What Signs May Occur?

In dogs, signs of tiger lily exposure typically involve the gastrointestinal tract and may appear within a few hours of chewing or swallowing the plant.

Common signs in dogs may include:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Drooling or excessive salivation
  • Reduced appetite
  • Lethargy or unusual tiredness
  • Mild abdominal discomfort

These signs are generally mild and self-limiting in dogs. However, because individual reactions can vary, veterinary guidance is still recommended to confirm that no further care is needed.

Important note for cat owners: In cats, lily exposure can cause vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, increased thirst, and changes in urination as kidney failure develops. These signs require emergency veterinary care. This article addresses dogs only.

What Information Should Be Ready?

When you contact a veterinarian or poison-control service, having the following details available can help them assess the situation more efficiently:

  • Dog's details: species, breed, approximate age, and body weight
  • Plant involved: tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium), and whether the dog chewed leaves, stems, flowers, or pollen
  • Estimated amount: best guess of how much plant material was swallowed
  • Time of ingestion: when the exposure occurred, or the window of time during which it may have happened
  • Current symptoms: any vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, or changes in appetite
  • Plant sample: if available, a photo or a piece of the plant to confirm identification
  • Other pets: whether any cats in the home also had access to the plant
  • Medical history: any pre-existing conditions or current medications

Provide honest estimates rather than precise measurements. The veterinary team can work with approximate information to determine the best course of action.

Differences That May Affect Risk

Several factors can influence how tiger lily affects an individual dog:

  • Species differences: The most important factor is species. Dogs typically experience only mild gastrointestinal upset, while cats can develop life-threatening kidney failure. Safety conclusions for one species do not apply to the other.
  • Part of the plant: All parts of the tiger lily, including pollen, may cause a reaction in dogs. Pollen that falls on a dog's fur can be ingested during grooming.
  • Body size: Smaller dogs may be at greater risk from a given amount of plant material.
  • Individual variation: Reactions can differ between dogs, and some may experience more pronounced gastrointestinal signs than others.

Because of these uncertainties, any known or suspected ingestion should be discussed with a veterinarian.

When to Contact a Veterinarian

Contact a veterinarian or animal poison-control service promptly if your dog has chewed or swallowed any part of a tiger lily plant.

Signs that require veterinary attention include:

  • Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
  • Lethargy or weakness
  • Reduced appetite that does not improve
  • Signs of abdominal pain
  • Any change in your dog's responsiveness

For cats: If a cat in your home may have had any contact with the tiger lily, including chewing the plant, licking pollen, or drinking water from the vase, contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately. Do not wait for signs to appear. Lily exposure in cats is an emergency.

FAQ

Is tiger lily toxic to dogs?

Tiger lily is potentially harmful to dogs. In dogs, exposure typically causes mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. This is much less severe than in cats, where lilies can cause life-threatening kidney failure. Any ingestion by a dog should still be discussed with a veterinarian.

Are lilies more dangerous to cats than dogs?

Yes. In cats, true lilies (Lilium species, including tiger lily) can cause acute kidney failure, which may be fatal. In dogs, the same plants typically cause only mild gastrointestinal upset. Because the risk differs so greatly between species, safety conclusions should never be transferred from one to the other.

What should I do if my dog ate tiger lily but I also have a cat?

Contact a veterinarian for guidance regarding your dog, and check whether your cat had any access to the plant, including pollen or vase water. If the cat may have been exposed, contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately, as lily exposure in cats is an emergency even if no signs have appeared yet.

TOXICITY CHECKER

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Disclaimer

This article and the PawAI Toxicity Checker provide general safety information and cannot determine an individual pet's toxicity risk or replace a veterinarian or animal poison-control service. If exposure may have occurred, contact an appropriate professional promptly, even if your pet appears well.

Written by PawAI Lab