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Emergency
Dogs (and cats)
Moderate toxicity

Lily Poisoning Warning for Dog Owners
in Dogs (and cats)

Substance: Lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species). Symptoms appear within 6-12 hours. Treatment costs £200–£800.

Do not wait for symptoms. Call your vet now.

If you suspect your pet has been exposed to lilies (lilium and hemerocallis species), contact your vet or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 immediately. The PoisonLine is available 24/7 and run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS).

01202 509000
Severity Moderate
Affects Dogs (and cats)
Onset 6-12 hours
Treatment Cost £200–£800
Symptoms

What to Look For

Symptoms of lily poisoning warning for dog owners typically appear within 6-12 hours of exposure. You may not see all of these — even one or two should prompt an immediate call to your vet.

Mild stomach upset in dogs (vomiting, diarrhoea)
Drooling
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Note: Dogs are much less severely affected than cats
Urgent action

What to Do Right Now

If you suspect your pet has been exposed to lilies (lilium and hemerocallis species), follow these steps.

1

Call your vet if your dog has eaten any part of a lily

2

Dogs typically experience only mild gastrointestinal upset from lilies

3

CRITICAL: If you also have cats, lilies are an extreme emergency for them — see our cat lily poisoning page

4

Remove all lilies from your home if you have both cats and dogs

Veterinary treatment

What the Vet Will Do

Treatment depends on how much was ingested and how quickly you seek help. Here is what to expect.

Monitoring for gastrointestinal symptoms
Anti-nausea medication if needed
IV fluids if vomiting is severe
Most dogs recover with minimal treatment
Treatment costs

How Much It Costs

Estimated UK vet costs for treating lily poisoning warning for dog owners in dogs (and cats). Total treatment typically costs £200–£800.

Vet consultation £50-£150
Anti-nausea medication £20-£60
IV fluids (if dehydrated) £100-£300
Total range £200–£800

Prices are estimates based on UK veterinary averages. Out-of-hours emergencies typically cost 1.5–3x more than standard hours. Individual cases vary.

Recovery

Recovery Outlook

Dogs generally recover quickly and fully from lily ingestion. The main concern is for cat owners who also have dogs — lilies are one of the most dangerous toxins for cats, causing fatal kidney failure even from pollen on fur. If you have both species, keep lilies out of your home entirely.

Prevention

How to Prevent This

The best treatment is prevention. Keep your pet safe with these steps.

If you have cats AND dogs, never bring lilies into your home
Choose pet-safe flowers like roses, sunflowers, or gerberas instead
Warn friends and family not to gift you lilies
Check bouquets from supermarkets and florists for hidden lily stems

Does Pet Insurance Cover Poisoning?

Yes — most pet insurance policies cover accidental poisoning as an emergency, including out-of-hours care, hospitalisation, and specialist referral.

With lily poisoning warning for dog owners treatment costing £200–£800, insurance can prevent a medical emergency becoming a financial one too. Check your policy covers emergency treatment with no sub-limit on poisoning.

Compare pet insurance

Find a Vet Near You

Compare vet practices in your area. Check opening hours, emergency availability, and prices before you need them.