Waverley Animal Hospital vet Dr Robbie Anderton warns lilies are toxic to cats

While many pet owners might not be aware flowers often pose a deadly risk to pets, a vet is warning there is one type of flower that can cause kidney failure in cats.

Do you have a question for vet Dr Robbie Anderton?

Not many people realise that in many bunches of flowers, there may be something in there that could be deadly to a cat.

Every year we see at least one poor kitty that has become so incredibly sick from ingesting these toxic plants and the owners always tell us they just didn’t know.

So today, I’m going to tell you all about it.

Do you have a question for Dr Robbie? send it to [e-mail]

There is a toxic substance in lilies that can cause sudden, severe kidney failure in cats.

We don’t know what the toxin is, but we know that it is right throughout the plant — the stems, the leaves, and especially the petals, stamen and pollen.

Cats get access to the toxin by chewing on the plants, or even from rubbing up against it and getting the pollen on themselves then cleaning it off by licking.

Usually the cats show signs of kidney failure within 12 to 36 hours, with vomiting and lethargy being common signs.

If we can treat the cats quick enough, by clearing out the toxin, and supporting with intravenous fluids and other medications, we may be able to save them.

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The safest thing? Don’t have cats and lilies in the same place.

If you are worried about your cat, call your vet straight away.

Dr Robbie Anderton is a veterinarian at Waverley Animal Hospital and on the Two Vets Talk Pets podcast