To cats, yes, and seriously. Stargazer lilies can cause fatal kidney failure in cats, and they're one of the most common flowers in bouquets. Dogs usually get no more than a mild stomach upset.
Stargazer is a pink, heavily scented oriental lily (Lilium) that turns up in many bouquets, especially at Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Like all true lilies, every part is toxic to cats: leaves, petals, stem, pollen and the water in the vase. Its large, pollen-laden anthers make it easy for pollen to end up on a cat's fur. If a bouquet arrives with stargazers in it, the safest place for it is a home without a cat.
In cats, vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite and lethargy start within a few hours and may seem to settle. Kidney failure then develops over one to three days: the cat drinks and urinates more at first, then little or not at all, and becomes weak and withdrawn. Dogs usually get no more than a mild stomach upset.
If your cat has chewed any part of the plant, licked the pollen or drunk the vase water, take it to a vet immediately, without waiting for symptoms. Treatment with IV fluids started early, ideally within 18 hours, usually prevents kidney damage. Wipe pollen off the fur and face so your cat can't lick more off, and bring a piece of the plant. A dog only needs a vet if vomiting persists.
Data sourced from public ASPCA lists. For general guidance only. If you suspect your pet has ingested something harmful, contact your vet or an animal poison control center immediately. · Privacy Policy