It is the time of year when we are thinking spring (despite having just had yet another winter storm here in the northeast!) and want to bring the promise of warmer weather and flowers into our homes. With Easter just around the corner, we often purchase the traditional Easter Lily or other seasonal plant and set it on the table as a center piece or on the floor. But what you might not know is how toxic this beautiful and seemingly innocent plant is to your cat or dog.
The Easter Lily is especially toxic to cats (other poisonous bulb plants include: daffodils, hyacinths, and tiger lilies) and can cause kidney failure and death. Eating any part of the Easter lily will cause vomiting and severe depression in cats. The vomiting may subside but the cat will continue to become more depressed and will refuse to eat. If you suspect that your cat has eaten a part of an Easter lily plant, it must be treated within 18 hours or the damage to the kidneys will be irreversible. A better idea would be to pass on the Easter lily and purchase a silk Easter lily plant, instead.