Daylily Poisoning in Dogs

Is daylily toxic to dogs? Unlike true lilies, daylilies are not toxic to dogs. So if you've got some of these vibrant blooms growing your garden, you don't need to fret if you catch Fido chewing on a leaf or petal. Daylilies are popular with gardeners because they're resilient and easy to cultivate in most climates. They're also edible — they're a popular ingredient in Asian countries, especially China.

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are not to be confused with true lilies (Lilium), which can be deadly for both dogs and cats. Despite what their names might suggest, these plants aren't related, but some species do look similar. The best way to tell a daylily apart from a true lily is by its long, blade-like leaves. While a daylily's maximum height caps out at just 4 feet, some species of true lilies can grow up to 10 feet tall.

Although daylilies aren't toxic to dogs, they're highly toxic to cats. Symptoms of ingestion can range from mild to severe, including vomiting and loss of appetite to kidney and liver failure. If you're the proud pet parent of both cats and dogs, it's a good idea to choose plants that are non-toxic for both species.

Because daylilies aren't toxic to dogs, your pup won't show any symptoms if they lick or ingest any part of the plant. However, cats who ingest daylilies may experience the following symptoms:

• Hiding
• Seizures
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Loss of appetite
• Rapid/irregular heartbeat
• Increased thirst and urination

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The cause of daylily poisoning in cats isn't currently known. Even ingesting small amounts of the leaves or petals can cause severe symptoms. Every part of the plant is toxic to cats.

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Diagnosing daylily poisoning in cats early is crucial for the best chance of recovering and preventing major kidney damage. As soon as you notice symptoms, take your cat to the vet. Bring a sample of the plant with you if possible, or take a picture on your smartphone to show the vet. In addition to a physical exam and an assessment of symptoms, the vet may take blood, urine, and fecal samples for testing. Abdominal ultrasounds and other diagnostic methods may be utilized for cats experiencing more severe symptoms associated with kidney failure.

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Treatment methods will vary depending on a variety of factors, including how quickly the condition was diagnosed and the severity of symptoms. Intravenous fluids will typically be administered for 48 hours following diagnosis. The veterinarian will monitor the cat's vital signs and check for signs of pancreatitis.

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Cats diagnosed and treated for daylily poisoning within 18 hours of ingestion have the best prognosis. Kidney impairment or failure may be irreversible beyond this window. Dialysis may be necessary for cats with impaired kidney function. However, dialysis for cats is an expensive procedure that may only be available at specialist facilities.

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