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I have never grown lilies because we have a cat and I understand that all parts of the lily are poisonous to cats. However I saw some "Coopers Crossing" lilies advertised that said they are safe for cats so I went ahead and planted them. They were also advertised as being Canna lilies - but they don't look anything llike my friend's cannas! I am obviously most worried about whether they are safe for cats - if not, I shall get rid of them. Can you please advise? (They are not quite in flower yet, but are in bud).




Answers

 

This is one of those occasions where knowing the proper, Latin name of your plants is critically important, so let's clear up a few things.
If you have a plant called Coopers Crossing, that is a Lilium (lily) not a Canna. Canna is a different plant altogether, and is not toxic to cats. All Liliums are toxic, along with Hemerocallis (day lilies) IF EATEN. They are not toxic at all if your cat is not in the habit of eating the flowering plants in your garden - this is usually only a problem with kittens, who may well nibble various plants. I certainly had 4 cats and grew lilies and none were affected.
Note that Lily of the Valley (convallaria), if consumed by your cat, will affect the heart, and if enough is eaten, may cause coma.
Otherwise, Zantedeschia and Spathiphyllum (houseplant known as Peace lily, although its not a lily at all) irritate the mouth if consumed, will cause drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea, but with no long term consequences.

27 Jul, 2012

 

The most dangerous part of Lilies is the pollen (to cats that is) They might brush past and the pollen fall on them and be licked off. Simple solution, remove the pollen bearing part of the flower when they open. Almost makes the flowers last longer too.
Cooper's Crossing is a pollen free form which is why it is sold as safe for cats.

27 Jul, 2012

 

Bit cheeky as a marketing ploy though Owdboggy - it may be pollen free, which helps a lot, but its still not safe for kittens who may eat the leaves.

27 Jul, 2012

 

I think that the story of lilies being unsafe for cats is an old wives tale, sorry if I upset anyone. We have always had cats and always grown lilies. We grow short lilies and tall ones and all the cats hae surved from being kittens to a respectable old age. The cats are completely 'free range' and enjoy all parts of the garden.

27 Jul, 2012

 

I agree with Bulbaholic about the old wives tales (tails? :o))) perpetuated about many garden plants. Ricinus, lilies and the various varieties of so called locoweed. I have grown various datura, angels' and devils', and red ricinus also both day and asiatic lilies for years during which time I have had many dogs and cats all of which have lived long and, I hope, happy lives roaming the garden as they pleased. My gardening friends and close neighbours have six cats. Her favourite flower for growing? Asiatic lily. I'd go along with Bamboo though and make sure kittens and puppies were not given access.

27 Jul, 2012

 

Well, as I said, I also had many cats (6 kittens at one point) and none were harmed by the lilies I grew, even though pollen was present. Nonetheless, that probably just means our cats had enough sense to not chew on plants, not that the plants themselves wouldn't be toxic if they did, and that most of the time, luck prevails perhaps.

27 Jul, 2012

 

The problem with lilies and cats, and there is a problem, comes from having them as cut flowers in the house.

I don't know whether the cats want to transfer scent onto the flowers to 'own' them or what.

Poisoning does occur but it is impossible to say how often. Clearly, it isn't that often or shops would stop selling them completely. As it is they rely on a warning on the label.

Growing in the garden doesn't seem to be a problem. The cats, probably, ignore them.

In any case, if you're worried about cats eating lilies in the garden the answer is to get rid of the cat not the lilies because you can't enforce a lily ban on every garden that the cat might wander into.

27 Jul, 2012

 

Good point, poisongardener - my cats used to range far and wide, and lord knows what they came up against that was possibly toxic.

27 Jul, 2012

taz
Taz
 

I had daylilies in my garden and there are one of my favourite, but I lost a cat with kidney problems may not have anything to do with the daylilies but I will never know, so I took them all out. if you read the cats protection site they we say that there are very toxic to cats and unlike other plants there is no cure. do not want to be a kill joy,and there are hundreds of people with lilies and cats and never have a problem, really it is down to you ,we all go by are own experiences. good luck.

27 Jul, 2012

 

Taz I believe the majority of cats that survive to a good old age finally die of kidney problems - it seems to be their weak point and not connected with whether you have lilies in the garden or not. Certainly our cats never ate lilies and all had kidney problems eventually, one at age 13, one at 20 and the last at 14. I think you can stop worrying about it and plant some more!

27 Jul, 2012

taz
Taz
 

hi,steragram I agree most cats would never eat lilies, it the pollen that worries me ,if they lay amongst the lilies as mine did then get pollen on themselves and then lick themselves.I know it is unlikely, but I just think it wasn't worth taking the risk I know lots of plants are suppose to be toxic to cats but lilies are know to be at the top of list and know to cause deaths read www vetbase.com or www vethelpdirect.com. not trying to frighten anyone, just think everyone should be aware of the facts so they can then make up there own mind

30 Jul, 2012

 

I have 3 cats and I have never grown lilies although I am considering doing so as my cats dont eat my plants, I have also been experimenting with cut flower lilies in my house, the cats have not gone near them but to be on the safe side I have cut the pollen out of them.

30 Jul, 2012

taz
Taz
 

I think its better to be safer than sorry marion, I do not take plants out of my garden unless I feel there is good
reason, I did a lot of research before I made my decision,and according to all the vet advise sites and cat protection sites these plants are best avoided. kittens are at risk due to eating plants and older cats due to grooming their coats after brushing up against the pollen.as I stated before its a matter of choose, just wanted to let everyone to be aware that this is not a old wives tale, it if fact

30 Jul, 2012

 

Thanks for all your comments.

31 Jul, 2012

How do I say thanks?

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