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.

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