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If your dog eats a peace lily, you need to act quickly because this common houseplant is toxic to dogs.
What to do if your dog eats a peace lily starts with staying calm so you can take the right steps for your pup.
Peace lilies contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense burning, swelling, and gastrointestinal distress in dogs.
Whether you’ve just caught your dog chewing on a leaf or you’re seeing symptoms hours later, this guide covers what to do if your dog eats a peace lily.
We’ll walk you through immediate first aid steps, why these plants are so dangerous, how to recognize poisoning, and prevention tips to keep your dog safe.
Let’s get right into the details.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats A Peace Lily
What to do if your dog eats a peace lily is actually a straightforward emergency response, but you need to follow these steps in order.
Following these steps in the right order can make a huge difference in your dog’s comfort and recovery.
1. Stay Calm And Remove Any Plant Material
The very first thing to do if your dog eats a peace lily is to take a deep breath and remain calm.
Your dog feeds off your energy, and a panicked reaction can make the situation more stressful for both of you.
Carefully open your dog’s mouth and look for any remaining pieces of peace lily leaves or stems.
Gently remove what you can see with your fingers, being careful not to push any plant material further down the throat.
Do not force your dog to swallow anything, and never try to induce vomiting unless your veterinarian instructs you to do so.
Keep the plant pieces you removed and consider taking a photo of the peace lily to show your vet for identification.
2. Rinse Your Dog’s Mouth To Relieve Irritation
Once you’ve removed the visible plant pieces, rinse your dog’s mouth thoroughly with plain water.
You can use a syringe without a needle, a clean cloth, or just let your dog drink a bowl of fresh water.
This helps wash away any remaining calcium oxalate crystals that are causing burning and irritation.
Offering a small amount of plain, unsweetened yogurt or milk can also help bind the crystals and soothe your pup’s mouth.
Just keep it to a few tablespoons and avoid anything with xylitol or artificial sweeteners.
3. Call Your Veterinarian Without Delay
The most critical step in what to do if your dog eats a peace lily is calling your veterinarian right away.
Don’t wait to see if symptoms develop, because the faster you get professional advice, the better the outcome for your dog.
Tell your vet what part of the plant your dog ate, roughly how much, and what symptoms you’re seeing.
Follow their instructions exactly, whether that means bringing your dog in for an exam or monitoring at home.
Keep your vet’s number and the pet poison control hotline saved in your phone for emergencies like this.
Why Peace Lilies Are Dangerous For Dogs
Understanding why peace lilies are toxic is the key to appreciating why you need to act fast when your dog eats a peace lily.
1. The Calcium Oxalate Crystal Threat
Peace lilies contain microscopic needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate.
When your dog chews on the plant, these crystals get released and penetrate the soft tissues of the mouth.
This causes immediate pain, intense burning, and swelling that can make your dog frantic with discomfort.
The crystals can also travel down the throat and into the stomach, leading to more serious issues.
2. Symptoms You Might See In Your Dog
If your dog eats a peace lily, you’ll likely notice excessive drooling and your dog pawing desperately at their mouth.
Other common symptoms include vomiting, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, and whimpering or whining.
You might also see your dog rubbing their face on the floor or furniture to try to relieve the burning sensation.
In severe cases, airway swelling can cause coughing, gagging, or trouble breathing, which is a medical emergency.
Knowing these symptoms helps you recognize what to do if your dog eats a peace lily before things get worse.
Symptoms typically appear within minutes of chewing, so keep a close eye on your dog right after any incident.
How To Prevent Your Dog From Eating Peace Lilies
Preventing a peace lily incident is much easier than dealing with the aftermath, and these tips will help.
1. Place Plants Completely Out Of Reach
The simplest way to prevent your dog from eating peace lilies is to put them somewhere your dog truly cannot reach.
High shelves, tall plant stands, hanging baskets, or rooms with closed doors are all effective options.
Keep in mind that large or athletic dogs can reach surprisingly high places, so be realistic about your setup.
And don’t forget about fallen leaves, which can be just as toxic as the plant itself.
2. Teach A Solid Leave It Command
Training your dog to respond to the leave it command is one of the best investments you can make in their safety.
Start by practicing with treats, then move on to training near the peace lily while rewarding your dog for ignoring it.
There are plenty of things you can teach to make this easier for your dog to understand.
Positive reinforcement tends to work far better than punishment, so keep things fun and rewarding.
You can practice daily for a few minutes and gradually increase the difficulty as your dog gets better at it.
3. Switch To Pet-Safe Plants
If you can’t guarantee your peace lily is out of reach, consider swapping it for a dog-friendly houseplant instead.
Spider plants, Boston ferns, areca palms, and peperomias are all considered safe for curious canines.
You can still enjoy a lush, green indoor garden without constantly worrying about your dog getting poisoned.
So, What To Do If Your Dog Eats A Peace Lily?
Now you know exactly what to do if your dog eats a peace lily.
If your dog eats a peace lily, stay calm, remove plant material, rinse their mouth, and call your vet immediately.
Peace lily toxicity is painful and unpleasant for dogs, but most make a full recovery with prompt care.
Severe reactions are rare but possible, which is why professional guidance should always be your first move.
Prevention is the real game-changer, so keep peace lilies out of reach or replace them with safer plants.
We hope this guide has given you the confidence to handle this scary situation and keep your furry friend happy and healthy.