Springtime Reminder: Lilies Can Be Deadly To Cats
Thursday, March 30, 2006

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center responded to hundreds of calls in 2005.

Media Contact: Dana Farbman, CVT
(217) 337-9751
napcc@aspca.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Urbana, IL and Manasquan, NJ) March 13, 2005 -- The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) are leading a nationwide campaign to warn cat owners about the dangers of Easter lilies and other variations in the lily family. 

“All parts of the lily plant are considered toxic to cats and the consumption of even small amounts can be life threatening," says Dr. Steve Hansen, a board-certified veterinary toxicologist and Senior Vice-President of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. “Cat owners must be vigilant and take these dangers into consideration when selecting plants for their home or purchasing a gift which will be left behind in someone else’s home.”

Following is a list of lilies dangerous to cats:
- Easter lily
- Tiger lily
- Rubrum lily
- Japanese show lily
- Day lily (some species can cause kidney failure)

Safe alternatives include:
- Easter orchids
- Easter cactus
- Easter daisies
- Violets

Within only a few hours of ingestion of the lily plant, a cat may vomit, become lethargic or develop a lack of appetite.  These signs continue and worsen as kidney damage progresses.  Without prompt and proper treatment by a veterinarian, the cat may develop kidney failure in 36 to72 hours.

The Cat Fanciers’ Association has partnered with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center to help raise awareness among cat owners across the nation about the dangers of toxic plants as well as offering safe alternatives.   

According to Allene Tartaglia, Director of Public Relations for the Cat Fanciers' Association, "Part of being a responsible pet owner is to educate yourself on the many different health issues facing your pet.  Removing dangerous plants from your cat's home is an important part in having safer, healthier and happier pets."

To help educate cat owners about the dangers of lilies and other plants, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and CFA have developed online materials including a list of common types of dangerous lilies and a list of non-toxic plants.  To download the materials visit http://www.apcc.aspca.org/ or http://www.cfa.org/. 

About the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Established in 1978, the APCC is the only 24-hour, 365-day facility of its kind staffed by 30 veterinarians, 12 of who are board-certified toxicologists/veterinary toxicologists. Located in Urbana, Ill., the specially trained staff provides assistance to pet owners, and specific diagnostic and treatment recommendations to veterinarians pertaining to toxic chemicals and dangerous plants, products or substances. In 2006, the center handled over 116,000 cases. The APCC also provides extensive veterinary toxicology consulting on a wide array of subjects, including legal cases, formulation issues, product liability, and regulatory reporting. For more information on potentially dangerous substances in the home or to reach the APCC, please call (888) 426-4435 or visit www2.aspca.org/apcc

The Cat Fanciers' Association is the world's largest registry of pedigreed cats with more than 2 million registered throughout the world. Formed in 1906 as a nonprofit association of member clubs, the CFA is comprised of more than 650 clubs in North and South America, Europe and Asia. The association's mission is to preserve and promote the pedigreed breeds of cats and to enhance the well being of all cats. For more information on the CFA visit http://www.cfa.org/.