Stargazer Lily Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 1,950 found this helpful

Stargazer lilies are extremely toxic to cats, even small exposures can lead to fatal kidney failure

The plant poses no confirmed toxicity risk to dogs or horses per official ASPCA records

The specific toxic principle that triggers adverse effects in cats is currently unknown

FAQ

Is Stargazer Lily toxic to Humans?

No known adverse effects reported from exposure to this plant (Non-toxic)

Is Stargazer Lily toxic to Cats?

Vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, potential kidney failure and death (Severe)

Is Stargazer Lily toxic to Dogs?

No known adverse symptoms associated with exposure (Non-toxic)

Is Stargazer Lily toxic to Horses?

No known adverse symptoms associated with exposure (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No known adverse effects reported from exposure to this plant

Cats

Severe

Vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, potential kidney failure and death

Dogs

Non-toxic

No known adverse symptoms associated with exposure

Horses

Non-toxic

No known adverse symptoms associated with exposure

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts including pollen, petals, leaves, stems, roots, and sap are toxic to cats

Exposure RouteIngestion of any plant part, grooming lily pollen off fur/paws, drinking water from vases holding cut lilies

Toxic CompoundsUnknown (per ASPCA records)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Immediately remove any remaining plant material from the exposed pet's mouth and surrounding area
• Contact an emergency veterinarian right away, do not wait for symptoms to develop
• Induce vomiting only if explicitly advised by a vet and ingestion occurred within the last 2 hours

Contact Vet Immediately

• Confirmed or suspected ingestion of any part of a Stargazer lily
• Cat shows vomiting, lethargy or loss of appetite after potential exposure
• Cat has visible lily pollen on its fur, paws or face

Prevention

• Keep all Stargazer and other true lilies out of homes and yards accessible to cats
• Avoid bringing cut lily arrangements into cat households, as pollen spreads easily to surfaces and fur
• Wipe lily pollen off cat fur immediately with a damp cloth if accidental contact occurs

Treatment & Prognosis

• Veterinarian may induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal to reduce toxin absorption
• 48-72 hours of intravenous fluid therapy to support kidney function and prevent permanent damage
• Close monitoring of kidney values for at least 72 hours post exposure to catch early signs of injury

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameLilium orientalis

AliasesOriental Lily

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsSevere

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

Kidneys (primary target organ in affected cats)

Mechanism of Action

• Exact toxic mechanism is unknown, but exposure causes acute kidney tubular necrosis in cats only

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters): No confirmed toxicity reported, but exposure is not recommended as a precaution

Pet birds: No documented adverse effects from Stargazer lily exposure available

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Easter Lily Lilium longiflorum

Both are true Liliaceae lilies with large trumpet-shaped blooms; Easter lilies are solid white, while Stargazer lilies have pink-edged petals with white centers

Daylily Hemerocallis fulva

Has similar bright lily-shaped flowers but belongs to the Hemerocallidaceae family; daylilies are also toxic to cats, so misidentification does not reduce risk

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Related Toxic Plants

Easter Lily

Lilium longiflorum

Severe, fatal to cats even in small doses

Tiger Lily

Lilium lancifolium

Severe, can cause fatal kidney failure in cats

Asiatic Lily

Lilium asiaticum

Severe, highly toxic to cats with risk of death post exposure

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.