Are Daylilies Toxic to Cats? 7 Vet Tips for Pet Owners

My dear pet owners Eye catching array of colours and frequent rebloomers, daylilies are a popular addition to many gardens.

However, there’s an important question that needs answering: are daylilies toxic to cats? As the number of people who share their homes with pets grows, it’s important to know which plants are safe and which may be hazardous.

We look at the toxicity of daylilies to cats, symptoms of poisoning, and what to do if your cat gets into daylilies. Let’s dive into the topic.

What Are Daylilies?

Easy to grow perennial plants, daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are known for their striking trumpet shaped flowers.

They are a landscaping favourite, coming in orange, yellow, pink, and red. Daylilies are tough plants that can take a beating in terms of climate, and they’re often chosen for their toughness and beauty.

Edible stems shoot up from the centre and have thin, long leaves. The blooms last only a day, but the plant makes fresh ones until the end of the growing season, so there’s a continuous show of colour.

Low maintenance daylilies make them a perfect flower for novice or expert gardeners.

The Appeal of Daylilies for Pet Owners

Because daylilies are not demanding to care for, striking in appearance, and relatively inexpensive, they are an eye catching addition for those with pets who enthusiastically plant their floral fillers.

Their long flowering season keeps them blooming continuously, and they prefer both sun or partial shade.

Moreover, daylilies are also easy, low maintenance plants that would impress pet owners who have busy schedules yet need a beautiful garden to admire but don’t have the time to care a lot about.

Used for flower beds, borders and even container gardens, their versatility makes them a popular landscaping plant.

But so alluring, their appeal is that pet owners should be wary, especially for their furry companion’s safety.

Are Daylilies Toxic to Cats?

Daylilies are toxic to cats, yes. Compounds in the entire plant, including the flowers, leaves, and stems, can lead to serious consequences if cats ingest them.

The parts of a daylily don’t contain extremely high levels of toxicity, but eating any part of it can induce adverse reactions in cats and could jeopardise their health.

Daylilies are very toxic, and cat owners should know such. Since this type of plant can cause poisoning even if eaten in small amounts, be sure to keep cats away from these plants.

Also read: Are Bonsai Trees Toxic to Cats? Best 7 Vet-Backed Facts

Toxic Compounds in Daylilies

It is compounds known as glycosides within the daylily that make it highly toxic throughout the plant.

Cats can be extremely sensitive to these substances, and if ingested in high enough quantities, they can result in acute kidney failure.

How these glycosides affect kidney function is unknown, but they disrupt normal renal activity and cause a broad spectrum of symptoms.

While the toxicity is more commonly described as being caused by ingestion, cats who come into contact with daylilies may present symptoms of poisoning after exposure through the skin.

But for any pet owner wanting to protect their pets from harm, it’s essential to know something about these compounds that are responsible for toxicity.

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Symptoms of Daily Poisoning in Cats

Symptoms occur within hours if a cat eats daylilies. Early signs of poisoning may include:

• Vomiting: One of the first signs, and often. The body is trying to eliminate.
• Loss of appetite: Cats afflicted with the condition may not eat or may start to show signs of nausea or distress.
• Lethargy: Cats will become unduly tired or weak, taking longer than usual to do anything.
• Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea or even blood in the stool can be symptoms of gastrointestinal distress.
• Excessive drooling: It’s a common symptom when a cat isn’t feeling well or is nauseous.

The poisoning will progress, and your cat may develop more severe symptoms such as dehydration, reduced urination, and perhaps signs of kidney failure.

Without early intervention, kidney damage can be fatal.

Also read: What Can Mosquito Bites Cause in Cats and Dogs? – 7 Vet Advice

What to Do If Your Cat Eats a Daylily

If your cat has eaten daily, act immediately. The first thing you want to do is give your veterinarian a call, even if you don’t see any huge symptoms.

Early treatment is key, as the sooner treatment commences, the better the prognosis is.

If you find your pet needs veterinary care, don’t attempt to get it to vomit unless a professional tells you to.

In some cases, your vet may recommend carrying your cat in for treatment and recommend intravenous fluids, medications to protect the kidneys, and other supportive care measures to manage the symptoms and prevent renal damage.

Also read: How to Keep Cats Off Your Car? 10 Expert best Tips

Prevention: Keeping Cats Safe from Daylilies

Keeping daylilies out of reach is probably the best way to prevent poisoning. Put them in places the cat can’t get to, like on window sills or in areas barricaded off by the cat, or in raised pots or fenced off beds.

If your daylilies have to be grown indoors, put them on high shelves or in rooms where cats cannot reach.

Natural cat deterrents can also be used to keep cats from whatever plants could be damaging to them.

The smell of citrus or strong spices may deter some cats away from dailies, but, of course, this in no way means that all cats will be dissuaded.

Also read: Can cats see ghosts? Vet-Approved Signs to Watch

Alternatives to Daylilies for Cat-Friendly Gardens

If you have a cat and you want a pretty daylily but don’t want to put your cat at risk of poisoning, there are plenty of other options. Some non-toxic plants for cats include:

• Spider Plants: A hardy, nontoxic plant that will make your home look just a little bit nicer, and it’s safe for kitties.
• Bamboo Palm: Its elegantly fronded and air purifying properties.
• Marigolds: These flowers are bright and cheerful and 100% totally safe for cats.
• Boston Ferns: It’s a lush, attractive plant that can grow indoors or outdoors.
• Petunias: Petunias are vigorous and safe and great for adding colour to a refreshing backyard garden.

Before you start adding plants to your garden, always do some research into how toxic they are to pets. It’s easy to find gorgeous, secure, pet friendly landscaping options.

Wrap up on Are Daylies Toxic to Cats?

Although beautiful, daylilies are toxic to cats and must be kept away from them if possible.

If you’re a pet owner, there are some very important reasons you should be aware of the potential dangers these plants can pose and take necessary precautions around your furry friends.

If your cat is a victim of exposure, immediate action and veterinary care are needed to safeguard it.

With some careful plant selections and vigilance, you can also find a way to have a lovely, pet safe garden that you and your furry friend both adore.

Also read: Can Cats Eat Chocolate? is poisonous to cats

FAQ: Are Daylilies Toxic to Cats?