Wood Lily Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 987 found this helpful
Lilium umbellatum
1

Wood Lily is confirmed toxic exclusively to cats, with no documented risk to dogs, horses or humans per ASPCA records

2

Ingestion of any amount of this plant can lead to kidney failure and even fatal outcomes in affected cats

3

The exact toxic chemical compounds responsible for feline poisoning from this species are currently unknown

FAQ

Is Wood Lily toxic to Humans?

No reported human toxicity cases associated with this species in available public data (Non-toxic)

Is Wood Lily toxic to Cats?

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

Is Wood Lily toxic to Dogs?

No known toxic effects in dogs per ASPCA research (Non-toxic)

Is Wood Lily toxic to Horses?

No known toxic effects in horses per ASPCA research (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans
Non-toxic

No reported human toxicity cases associated with this species in available public data

Cats
Severe

Vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, potential kidney failure and death if left untreated

Dogs
Non-toxic

No known toxic effects in dogs per ASPCA research

Horses
Non-toxic

No known toxic effects in horses per ASPCA research

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts (leaves, flowers, stems, roots, pollen) are toxic to cats
Exposure RouteIngestion of plant material, including grooming pollen off of fur, is the primary exposure route for cats
Toxic CompoundsUnknown (per ASPCA data)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

  • • Immediately remove all remaining plant material from the cat's mouth, fur and surrounding environment
  • • Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed to do so by a licensed veterinarian
  • • Collect a sample of the ingested plant to provide to your vet for fast, accurate identification

Contact Vet Immediately

  • • Your cat has ingested any amount of Wood Lily, even if no symptoms are visible yet
  • • Your cat exhibits vomiting, reduced appetite or lethargy after potential exposure to the plant
  • • Your cat shows changes in urination frequency or appearance after exposure

Prevention

  • • Do not keep Wood Lily plants or cut stems/flowers in households with resident or visiting cats
  • • Clean up any fallen lily pollen immediately to avoid accidental exposure via cat grooming
  • • Inspect all pre-made floral arrangements for hidden lily components before bringing them into a cat-friendly space

Treatment & Prognosis

  • • Veterinary administration of activated charcoal to bind unabsorbed toxins in the digestive tract
  • • 24-48 hours of intravenous fluid therapy to support kidney function and prevent permanent renal damage
  • • Symptomatic supportive care for vomiting, dehydration and other presenting clinical signs
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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameLilium umbellatum
AliasesPrairie Lily、Umbellate Lily
Toxicity Grade
HumansNon-toxic
CatsSevere
DogsNon-toxic
HorsesNon-toxic
Target Organs
Kidneys (renal system)
Mechanism of Action

• Exact toxic mechanism is not yet identified, but active compounds selectively target feline renal tissue leading to tubular necrosis and kidney failure

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cat: Only confirmed susceptible species; even small ingestion amounts can lead to fatal kidney failure without prompt veterinary intervention
Dog: No evidence of toxic effects even after intentional ingestion of plant material
Horse: No documented cases of toxicity associated with consumption of this plant
Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Turk's Cap Lily Lilium superbum
Both have bright orange spotted blooms; Wood Lily produces upright flowers while Turk's Cap Lily has fully recurved, downward-facing petals
Orange Daylily Hemerocallis fulva
Both have vibrant orange summer blooms and long narrow foliage; Daylilies belong to the Asphodelaceae family but are also highly toxic to cats
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Data Sources

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

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