Easter Lily vs. Peace Lily vs. Lily of the Valley: Which Are Toxic to Dogs?
'Lily' is four different risk profiles, and the answer inverts if you also have a cat.
Short answer for dogs: lily of the valley is the dangerous one (heart toxin), true lilies mostly cause stomach upset, and peace lilies cause mouth irritation. If you also have a cat, the answer inverts violently: true lilies are lethal to cats. "Lily" is four different risk profiles wearing one name.
The lily lineup
| Plant | For dogs | For cats (if you have one) |
|---|---|---|
| Lily of the valley | DANGEROUS: cardiac toxin, 9/10 | Equally dangerous |
| True lilies (Easter, tiger, day) | GI upset: call your vet | DEADLY: kidney failure from pollen alone |
| Peace lily | Mouth irritation (oxalates) | Same: irritating, not lethal |
| Calla lily | Mouth irritation (oxalates) | Same |
Lily of the valley: the one that stops hearts
Those sweet little bell flowers contain cardiac glycosides, the same class of compound as the heart drug digoxin. Vomiting, a slowed or irregular heartbeat, disorientation and collapse can follow even a small ingestion. Every part of the plant counts, including water a bouquet stood in. This is a go-now plant for dogs and cats alike.
The cat asterisk that changes everything
For dogs, an Easter lily nibble usually means drooling and an upset stomach. For cats, the same plant, even its pollen brushed onto fur and licked off, causes kidney failure. Multi-pet households should treat true lilies as banned, full stop, regardless of how mild the dog math looks.
Bottom line
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