Pet safety
Is Lily of the valleytoxic to cats & dogs?
Convallaria majalis
Is lily of the valley safe for cats and dogs?
No — lily of the valley is toxic to cats and dogs and should be kept well away from pets that chew plants. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, the most widely used reference for companion-animal plant safety in the US and the standard most UK vets cite as well. ASPCA lists Convallaria majalis as severely toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to cardiac glycosides (convallarin, convallotoxin). Causes vomiting, slow heart rate, arrhythmia, seizures. Veterinary emergency.
What happens if a pet eats lily of the valley?
ASPCA lists Convallaria majalis as severely toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to cardiac glycosides (convallarin, convallotoxin). Causes vomiting, slow heart rate, arrhythmia, seizures. Veterinary emergency. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to lily of the valley, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate lily of the valley
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move lily of the valley out of reach.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of lily of the valley to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.
This page is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide rather than the plant. If you are worried, always contact a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Pet-safe alternatives to lily of the valley
Want the same look without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA and have similar care needs:
- Hoya — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Bromeliad — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Christmas cactus — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- African violet — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
Lily of the valley and pets — frequently asked questions
Is lily of the valley toxic to cats?
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is toxic to pets to cats according to the ASPCA. ASPCA lists Convallaria majalis as severely toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to cardiac glycosides (convallarin, convallotoxin). Causes vomiting, slow heart rate, arrhythmia, seizures. Veterinary emergency. Keep it out of reach and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if your cat chews it.
Is lily of the valley toxic to dogs?
The ASPCA lists the same toxicity status for dogs as for cats: Lily of the valley is toxic to pets. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like lily of the valley is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats lily of the valley?
ASPCA lists Convallaria majalis as severely toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to cardiac glycosides (convallarin, convallotoxin). Causes vomiting, slow heart rate, arrhythmia, seizures. Veterinary emergency. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to lily of the valley, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate lily of the valley?
Stay calm. Remove any remaining plant material from your pet's mouth and take the plant away so they cannot eat more. Note roughly how much was eaten and when. Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice. Bringing a photo or a leaf of lily of the valley to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to lily of the valley?
If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include hoya, bromeliad, christmas cactus, african violet. All of these are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, so they suit a home where pets have access to your plants.
Full lily of the valley care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete lily of the valley care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.