Is a Peace Lily Toxic to Dogs and Cats?

Yes, a peace lily is toxic to dogs and cats, but usually in a mild way. The ASPCA lists it as “Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats” because chewing it releases crystals that burn the mouth. Despite the name, it isn’t a true lily, and the ASPCA’s lily article says “it is very rare for them to cause serious or life-threatening problems.”

What happens if a dog chews a peace lily

The ASPCA entry for the peace lily (Spathiphyllum, family Araceae, also listed as Mauna Loa peace lily) gives “Insoluble calcium oxalates” as the Toxic Principles. The Clinical Signs: “Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.”

The ASPCA’s houseplant article includes the peace lily with pothos and monstera. It describes “very small, needle-like crystals called raphides,” says “the severity is low,” and adds that “many exposures can be managed at home, and long-term effects are not expected.”

What happens if a cat chews a peace lily

This is where the name causes confusion. On the lily poisoning that damages cats’ kidneys, Merck says “only lilies within the Lilium and Hemerocallis families are considered true lilies and are toxic.” The peace lily isn’t one of them. Merck adds that insoluble oxalates “do not pose a concern for renal injury.” The FDA groups peace and calla lilies together as plants that irritate the mouth and throat, with symptoms that usually resolve on their own.

So a cat that chewed a peace lily gets the same mouth irritation as a dog. The rare serious case applies to both: the ASPCA notes that large exposures can rarely cause significant stomach pain or swelling at the back of the throat, leading to breathing difficulty. And if you aren’t sure which plant it was, treat it as a true lily emergency (lilies and cats).

Signs to watch for

• Excessive drooling
• Burning or irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips
• Vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing
• Trouble breathing, which means going to a clinic now

What to do

1. Remove the plant and note roughly how much was chewed.
2. Call first: your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 (a fee may apply).
3. Ask about the dairy step. The ASPCA describes “offering a small amount of dairy products such as milk, yogurt or vanilla ice cream,” and adds: “check to ensure these products don’t contain xylitol.” In dogs, xylitol is a poison of its own (xylitol).
4. Go to a clinic for any trouble swallowing or breathing. The ASPCA says to go “directly to a veterinary hospital.”

Merck’s outlook: “Most cases of exposure to insoluble oxalate-containing plants have a good to excellent prognosis.” Put the numbers on the fridge with the pet poison emergency card.

Safer plants to keep instead

Pothos and monstera carry the same crystals, so they aren’t an upgrade. The ASPCA lists the spider plant as non-toxic to dogs and cats. If the peace lily stays, keep it where your pets can’t reach it. Setting up for a new cat? The new cat checklist is a good time to go through every pot.