Is Calla Lily Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
Yes. Calla lilies are toxic to both cats and dogs. If your pet chews a leaf, flower or bulb, expect mouth pain, heavy drooling and pawing at the face.
The good news: a calla lily is not a true lily. It does not cause the sudden kidney failure in cats that makes true lilies so dangerous. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals instead. These are tiny, sharp crystals that can irritate your pet's mouth, tongue and throat on contact.
Below you will find why the name causes so much confusion, which symptoms to watch for, what to do after a bite and which elegant, pet-safe flowers give you the same look.
The short answer
- Calla lilies are toxic to cats and dogs. The cause is calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and throat.
- A calla lily is not a true lily. It does not cause the kidney failure in cats linked to true lilies like Easter lilies.
- All parts of the plant are toxic. The bulb holds the highest concentration of crystals.
- Symptoms usually start within minutes: drooling, pawing at the mouth and vomiting.
- Call your vet if symptoms are strong or your pet is small. Bring a piece or photo of the plant.
- Pet-safe swaps with a similar elegant look include Phalaenopsis orchids, roses and Gerbera daisies.
The verdict
Toxic to cats and dogs, but not a true lily
Calla lilies (Zantedeschia species) are toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing any part of the plant releases calcium oxalate crystals, tiny needle-shaped crystals that can irritate your pet's mouth, tongue and throat.
The reaction is fast and unpleasant: burning and swelling in the mouth, heavy drooling and sometimes vomiting. Many pets stop after one bite because it hurts right away. Most cases are painful but mild.
Serious trouble is rare but possible. Swelling of the throat can make swallowing or breathing hard, especially in small pets. That is when you call your vet the same day.
Now for the part that confuses people: the calla lily is not a lily at all. It belongs to the arum family, the same family as the monstera and the peace lily.
True lilies, like Easter lilies, tiger lilies and Asiatic lilies, belong to the Lilium family. For cats, even a small amount of a true lily, a lick of pollen or a sip of vase water, can cause kidney failure within days. That is a life-threatening emergency.
Calla lilies work differently. Their crystals cause immediate pain in the mouth, not delayed kidney damage. Still toxic and still not a plant for a cat household, but a different level of risk.
This matters when you search for advice. 'Lily' in a name can point to very different plants. Lily of the valley affects the heart, true lilies attack the kidneys and calla lilies irritate the mouth. When in doubt, check the botanical name.
Symptoms to watch for
Symptoms in cats
Symptoms usually appear within minutes of chewing: heavy drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting and visible swelling of the lips, tongue or mouth.
Your cat may also shake its head, refuse food or hide. Cats that only brush against the plant are usually fine; the trouble starts with chewing.
Call your vet if the drooling does not stop, if you see swelling around the throat or if your cat seems to struggle to swallow. Small cats and kittens need a lower threshold for a vet call.
Symptoms in dogs
Dogs show the same picture: drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea. The mouth can look red and swollen.
Dogs that dig may find the bulb. That part of the plant holds the highest concentration of crystals, so a chewed bulb tends to cause a stronger reaction than a nibbled leaf.
Puppies and small breeds are more at risk from the same amount of plant. Call your vet if symptoms are strong, if your dog keeps vomiting or if the throat looks swollen.
Act fast, stay calm
What to do if your pet eats a calla lily
Remove the plant
Gently take any plant material out of your pet's mouth and move the plant out of reach. Note which part was eaten and roughly how much.
Rinse the mouth
Offer fresh water or wipe the mouth with a wet cloth if your pet allows it. Do not force anything and do not try to make your pet vomit.
Watch for symptoms
Drooling, pawing at the mouth and vomiting usually start within minutes. Write down when symptoms began and how they develop.
Call your vet
Call your vet if symptoms are strong, if your pet is small or if you are unsure. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435; a consultation fee may apply. Bring a photo or a piece of the plant to the appointment.
Where the risk sits in the plant and in your home
All parts of the calla lily are toxic: leaves, stems and flowers. The bulb, technically a rhizome, holds the highest concentration of calcium oxalate crystals. If you grow calla lilies from bulbs, store them where pets cannot reach them.
Cut flowers in a vase carry the same risk as the potted plant. Keep vases well away from curious cats and refresh the water out of reach.
A quick reality check on placement: high shelves rarely stop a determined cat. If you share your home with a climber, the safest option is a pet-safe swap or a room your pets never enter.
| Plant | Look | Light | Why it works as a swap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phalaenopsis orchid | Sculptural blooms on tall, clean stems | Bright, indirect light | Generally considered non-toxic and matches the calla's elegant lines |
| Rose | Classic cut flower or compact potted miniature | Bright light with some direct sun | Generally considered non-toxic; just watch the thorns on cut stems |
| Gerbera daisy | Bold, single flowers with a graceful shape | Bright, indirect light | Generally considered non-toxic and long-lasting in a vase |
| African violet | Velvety leaves with soft, delicate blooms | Bright, indirect light | Generally considered non-toxic and ideal for small spaces |
Common questions about calla lilies and pets
Can a calla lily kill a cat?
Fatalities from calla lilies are very rare. The plant causes painful mouth irritation, not the kidney failure that true lilies cause in cats. Severe throat swelling can still be dangerous, especially in small cats, so treat strong symptoms as a reason to call your vet right away.
Is a peace lily the same as a calla lily?
No, but they are relatives. Both belong to the arum family, both contain calcium oxalate crystals and neither is a true lily. The advice in this article applies to peace lilies too.
My cat only licked a calla lily leaf. Should I worry?
Even light chewing releases the crystals, so watch for drooling and pawing at the mouth over the next hours. A single lick usually causes mild irritation. If symptoms appear or you are unsure, call your vet for advice.
Are calla lilies toxic to humans as well?
Yes. The same crystals can irritate the mouth and skin of people, and the plant is risky for small children who put things in their mouths. Keep it out of reach of toddlers as well as pets.
Is the vase water from calla lilies dangerous?
Calla lily vase water is less risky than water from true lilies, but it can still contain irritating substances from the stems. Do not let pets drink from the vase and refresh the water where they cannot reach it.
Can I keep calla lilies if I put them up high?
Cats climb, and a high shelf is often a challenge rather than a barrier. If you have a cat that explores, choose one of the pet-safe swaps above or keep calla lilies in a room your pets never enter.
