Is Pygmy Water Lily toxic to dogs?

No — pygmy water lily is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs. It is a sensible choice for a home with a dog; a curious nibble will not poison them, though no plant is meant to be eaten. Nymphaea genus water lilies are generally regarded as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Nymphaea tetragona has the same safety profile. Not to be confused with true lilies (Lilium) or daylilies (Hemerocallis), which are toxic to cats. ⚠️ The ASPCA does not list this species individually, so this reflects genus- and family-level inference rather than a direct listing — and our own records disagree across the genus. If your pet has eaten it, treat it as unverified and call your vet or the APCC on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK rather than relying on this page. Checked 2026-07-28.

Yes — the ASPCA lists pygmy water lily as non-toxic to dogs and dogs. A dog that chews a large amount of any foliage can still get a mild, brief stomach upset, so discourage grazing, but it will not be poisoned.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Pygmy Water Lily is non-toxic to cats as well. See the full pygmy water lily pet-safety guide for both species.

Reliable ASPCA non-toxic picks for a dog home include spider plant, calathea, parlor palm, peperomia, and most true ferns. Browse the best dogs-safe plants list to check more before you buy.