Will Peace Lily Hurt Cats? Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum) are easy to grow. Note that Peace Lilies are not true Lilies. They belong to the Araceae family. But are they harmful to cats and dogs, and people?
Although these houseplants symbolize peace, they are not safe for your cats.
Main Takeaways
| Plant | Peace Lily |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats and dogs as well as humans |
| Substance | Calcium oxalate chrystals |
| Recommendation | Keep out of reach for cats |
Table of Contents
Will Peace Lily Hurt Cats?
Peace lilies are toxic to cats, dogs as well as humans. The cells contain a needle-like substance known as calcium oxalate stored in bundles known as raphides. These crystals are released when cats bite into the leaves or through ingestion of pollen. This leads to damage to body cells. The symptoms manifest in excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
Symptoms of Peace Lily Ingestion
The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) lists common signs to help identify Peace Lily poisoning. The most common symptoms are vomiting, excessive drooling and licking of paws, tongue and throat irritation, and difficulty swallowing.
The toxic effects of Peace Lilies are considered mild to moderate depending on the number of leaves ingested and rarely lead to acute kidney failure.
Six to Twelve-Hour Mark
You will first notice the signs of Peace Lily poisoning within 6-12 hours of ingestion. The first signs include vomiting, drooling, and an increased or decreased desire to drink.
Twelve to Twenty-Four Hour Mark
During the 12-24 hours mark, in the most adverse situation, Peace Lily ingestion will lead to acute kidney failure.
Before kidney failure manifestation, you will notice your cat walking drunkenly or suffering from seizures and disorientation.
Two Weeks Mark
Even after treatment, the symptoms can remain for up to two weeks. However, most cats make a full recovery without any lasting damage.
Keeping Cats Away from Peace Lilies
The simplest way of keeping cats away from Peace Lilies is not to own any Lilies or at least place them in a place where it is not reachable. However, it is not the most practical advice.
There are several ways to protect your furry companion from Peace Lily’s toxic effects by distancing them.
You can add coffee grounds and orange peels to the soil. The scent of coffee and a dislike for citrus will keep them away.
Additionally, you can add gravel to your soil to prevent them from digging into the pot. Keep your Peace, Lilies, amongst other plants cats don’t like, such as citrus, mint, rosemary, or lavender.
You can also spray a homemade mixture of cayenne pepper, Tabasco sauce, and water as a quick fix to keep cats away. Taping balloons is another way of warding off cats. The sound of balloons popping will scare them away.
If nothing else works, keep a spray bottle filled with water. Cats, in general, hate water. Sprinkle water on your cat once it gets close to your Peace Lilies to prevent them from getting closer.
Diagnosing Peace Lily Poisoning in Cats
Diagnosing Peace Lily poisoning is challenging and can only be performed by a qualified veterinarian.
A complete physical examination will be required to differentiate between Peace Lily poisoning and symptoms associated with any preexisting conditions.
In most cases, treatment is started before a diagnosis is confirmed. This is done to soothe the symptoms and provide relief before proper treatment can begin.
When diagnosing, a blood sample will be extracted to provide a complete blood picture and a biochemical profile. The biochemical profiling will help with identifying the levels of different electrolytes.
A urine sample will also be collected to determine the functioning of the kidneys and liver. This is done to rule out the onset of acute kidney failure.
Treating Peace Lily Toxicity in Cats
Treatment of Peace Lily toxicity in cats does not follow a specific protocol. Several methods help overcome the symptoms to reach the most stable condition possible.
Home Remedies
You can give your cat some chilled yogurt or lactose-free milk to reduce the pain and soothe the burning sensation. The milk must be lactose-free as lactose can cause cat diarrhea, leading to dehydration.
Washing the Oral Cavity
Firstly, take out any leaves present in the oral cavity. Follow by washing the mouth, the nearing areas, and any parts that have been in contact with Peace Lily to remove calcium oxalate crystals.
Providing Fluid Therapy
One of the first symptoms of Peace Lily poisoning is vomiting. Vomiting reduces the body’s fluid levels leading to dehydration and causing electrolyte imbalance and weakness.
Give your cat fluid therapy to rehydrate them and restore the lost electrolytes. The electrolyte mix can be given along with the fluids.
Medication
Since ingesting Peace Lilies can irritate the stomach lining and block the airway passage, you can administer specific medication.
Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine open blocked airways. Additionally, administering Kapectolin can help soothe stomach irritation by coating the lining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an antidote for Peace Lily poisoning in cats?
There are no antidotes for Peace Lily poisoning. However, a qualified vet will follow general protocols to overcome the toxic effects.
What amount of Peace Lily is toxic to cats?
A few leaves are enough to bring forth an adverse reaction in your cat.
What parts of Peace Lilies are toxic to cats when ingested?
Every part of a Peace Lily is toxic once ingested, especially the leaf, stem, flowers, and pollen.
Closing Remarks
Avoid placing Peace Lilies so that cats can reach them. They are toxic and can harm your cat.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.