What To Do If My Cat Eats A Peace Lily

If my cat eats a peace lily, you need to act fast because peace lilies are toxic to cats.

When a cat eats a peace lily, it can cause severe mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, and trouble swallowing.

The good news is that peace lily poisoning is rarely fatal, but your cat will feel miserable and need prompt care.

In this post, we’ll cover what to do if your cat eats a peace lily, the signs of toxicity, and when you need to call the vet.

Let’s get right into it.

What To Do If My Cat Eats A Peace Lily

The most important thing to remember is that if your cat eats a peace lily, you should never wait to see if symptoms appear.

Take action immediately because the faster you respond, the less discomfort your feline friend will experience.

Here’s your step-by-step game plan:

1. Remove Your Cat From The Area

First, get your cat away from the peace lily right away.

This prevents them from chewing on more leaves and ingesting additional toxins.

Gently pick up your cat and move them to a safe, quiet room where you can observe them.

Remove any plant pieces from their mouth if you can do so safely.

Check their fur and paws for any sap or leaf fragments that they might lick off later.

2. Rinse Your Cat’s Mouth

If you notice your cat has been chewing on a peace lily, rinse their mouth with lukewarm water.

Use a syringe or a clean cloth soaked in water to gently flush the inside of their cheeks.

This helps remove the irritating calcium oxalate crystals that are released when a cat eats a peace lily.

Do not use force or cause your cat more stress.

A gentle rinse can make a big difference in reducing mouth pain.

3. Offer Something Cool To Eat Or Drink

After rinsing, offer your cat a small amount of milk, tuna juice, or plain yogurt.

These tasty liquids can help bind the calcium oxalate crystals and soothe the burning sensation.

Cold treats like ice cubes or chilled chicken broth are also great options.

But don’t force your cat to eat or drink if they refuse.

Just make it available and let them decide.

4. Call Your Vet Or Pet Poison Control

Even if your cat seems fine, you must call your veterinarian right away.

Tell them that your cat ate a peace lily and describe how much of the plant was consumed.

You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

They are available 24/7 and can give you specific advice for your cat’s situation.

Keep the plant sample with you so the vet can confirm the exact species.

Why Peace Lilies Are Dangerous For Cats

You might be wondering why a cat eating a peace lily causes such a dramatic reaction.

Unlike true lilies, peace lilies aren’t deadly, but they still pack a painful punch.

Calcium Oxalate Crystals Are The Culprit

The main toxin in a peace lily is calcium oxalate, which forms microscopic, needle-shaped crystals.

When a cat eats a peace lily, these crystals embed themselves into the soft tissues of the mouth, tongue, and throat.

This mechanical damage triggers an immediate burning sensation and inflammation.

That’s why cats often paw at their mouths and drool excessively after taking a bite.

No Kidney Damage Like True Lilies

It’s important to know that peace lilies are not the same as true lilies like Easter or Asiatic lilies.

True lilies cause acute kidney failure in cats, which is often fatal.

Peace lilies, on the other hand, don’t damage the kidneys.

The main issues are localized irritation and gastrointestinal upset.

So while your cat will be very uncomfortable, the prognosis is generally excellent with proper care.

Signs Your Cat Ate A Peace Lily

You may not always see your cat eating the plant, so you need to watch for these telltale symptoms.

Signs usually appear within minutes to a couple of hours after your cat eats a peace lily.

Common Symptoms To Watch For

Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth is often the first sign.

Your cat may also paw at their face or rub their mouth against furniture to relieve the pain.

Vomiting and gagging are common as the crystals irritate the stomach.

You might also notice decreased appetite, lethargy, and noticeable difficulty swallowing.

In severe cases, swelling of the throat can cause breathing problems, which is a medical emergency.

When To Go To The Emergency Vet

If you see any signs of breathing difficulty, severe vomiting, or extreme lethargy, go to an emergency vet immediately.

These symptoms could indicate significant swelling or a more serious reaction.

Also, seek immediate care if you have a very young kitten or a senior cat with underlying health issues.

They can become dehydrated from fluid loss much faster than healthy adult cats.

More Things To Do If My Cat Eats A Peace Lily

Aside from the immediate steps, there are some aftercare measures that will help your cat recover comfortably.

Even after the acute symptoms subside, you still need to be attentive.

1. Monitor Your Cat For 24 Hours

Keep an eye on your cat’s eating, drinking, and litter box habits for at least 24 hours.

If they are eating and drinking normally after a few hours, that’s a very good sign.

Make sure fresh water is always available to help flush out the toxins and prevent dehydration.

If your cat refuses to eat for more than a day, call your vet for a follow-up.

2. Give Them Soft, Bland Food

Since their mouth and throat may be sore, offer soft canned food instead of dry kibble.

Warming the food slightly can also make it more appealing and easier to swallow.

A bland diet like boiled chicken and rice can be gentle on an upset stomach.

Avoid giving any table scraps or treats until your cat is back to normal.

3. Remove Peace Lilies From Your Home

Once your cat recovers, the best thing to do is remove peace lilies from your home entirely.

You can rehome the plant to a friend without pets or place it in a room that is completely off-limits.

There are many beautiful cat-safe plants like spider plants, Boston ferns, and African violets.

Replacing toxic plants with safe ones ensures this never happens again.

So, What To Do If My Cat Eats A Peace Lily?

If my cat eats a peace lily, I need to stay calm but act quickly.

Remove your cat from the plant, rinse their mouth, offer something cool to drink, and call your vet.

Peace lily toxicity in cats is uncomfortable but rarely fatal when you get prompt help.

Monitor them closely for 24 hours and provide soft food and fresh water to support their recovery.

And then make your home safer by removing peace lilies from your cat’s reach.

Your feline friend depends on you to keep them safe, so now you know exactly what to do if this ever happens.