Cats Protection is urging people to spare a thought for their pet cat this Mother’s Day and keep lilies well out of their reach.

The charity says the lily plant, commonly given as a gift, is highly toxic to cats. Cats that brush against a lily and groom off the pollen can suffer acute kidney failure but according to research, half of cat owners remain unaware of the risk¹.

Louis, a two-year-old ragdoll cat from Wilmslow in Cheshire had a lucky escape after coming into contact with a lily plant as a kitten.

His owner Jill Millen, 68, said: “Louis lives with my daughter and I had bought her a bouquet of flowers which contained lilies.

“She popped them in a vase in her bedroom and then one day Louis came trotting up to her with yellow pollen all over his chest.

“My daughter face-timed me to discuss and then we contacted our vet who said that if we didn’t react quickly Louis’s kidneys could be damaged and he could require life-long treatment.

“When we got to the vet, Louis was placed on a drip to support his kidneys and help his body remove the toxins.  

“My message is simple: do not keep lilies at all, not only to protect your cat but also to avoid any invasive treatment later on which could be costly.”    

Sarah Merrett, Head of Cat Welfare Engagement for Cats Protection said: “A recent survey shows that, of cats that had eaten something poisonous or harmful, around one in ten (7%) had ingested a lily² and the true number could be even higher because the symptoms of lily poisoning in cats –could be missed by owners or mistaken for another condition.

“All parts of the plant are dangerous including the leaves, the stem, the flowers, the pollen and even the water left in the bottom of the vase.

“Without urgent veterinary treatment, poisoning can be fatal. Early treatment with intravenous fluid therapy offers the best chance of survival. If you suspect that your cat has come into contact with lilies then please seek veterinary advice immediately. And prevention is better than cure so do not buy lilies as gifts.”

Common symptoms of lily poisoning include:

·       Excessive drooling

·       Lethargy

·       Diarrhoea or vomiting

·       Tremors, twitching or seizures

·       Loss of appetite

Cats Protection has called on UK retailers to put clear “toxic for cats” warnings on lily packaging and has published a list of cat-safe and unsafe plants on its website at www.cats.org.uk/dangerous-plants

Cats Protection, the UK’s leading cat welfare charity, helps around 191,000 cats and kittens a year through its national network which includes around 185 volunteer teams and 32 cat centres. The charity’s mission is to make a better life for cats, as life is better with cats.     

Ends

Photos of Jill Millen and her cat Louis, and library images of lilies can be found here

For more information, contact Cats Protection Media Office

media.office@cats.org.uk or 01825 741 911