Tiger Lily

The tiger lily is a true lily (genus Lilium) whose orange petals with black spots resemble a tiger's markings. Common in Korean gardens and fields, it causes fatal kidney failure in cats. Every part, and the vase water, is dangerous.

It's a true lily, so it's deadly

The tiger lily is a true lily in the same kidney-failure group as the lily, the Easter lily, and the daylily. It's a completely different plant from the peace lily, a lily in name only — so confirm first which one you have.

How cats get exposed

Petals, leaves, and pollen are toxic, and so is the vase water. Because it grows readily in gardens and beds, block all access for any cat that roams the yard. Pollen rubs onto fur and is easily ingested through grooming, and even the small bulbils that form along the stem carry the same lily toxicity.

How symptoms progress

Signs begin 6–12 hours after ingestion with vomiting, drooling, and loss of appetite, pass through a "false recovery" window, and kidney damage advances quietly. By 24–72 hours urine output plunges and kidney failure appears — and recovery is very hard at that point.

What to do right now

If your cat touched or ate it, go to a 24-hour emergency vet immediately even without symptoms. Don't try to induce vomiting at home; starting IV fluids within 6 hours of exposure is the key to protecting the kidneys.

Safer flowers instead

If you want flowers around, choose cat-safe roses or gerbera daisies.