OKAY SO, I know variations of this question have been asked before, but I'd like to get a specific answer about the type that we have. We've had orange "lillies" for years that I believe are daylillies. I saw on the ASPCA website that these are very toxic for cats, can cause kidney failure and such. I'm freaking out because one of my cats just decided to rub all up against the pot with one of our lily plants inside. The plant isn't blooming yet, but it still concerns me because of how serious it can be.

Are these specific lillies toxic to cats and if they are should I be panicking about my cat rubbing up against them? (note that this is an old picture. they aren't blooming rn but will be soon.) Thanks in advance for your answers!<3

Also, while I did join for the purpose of asking this question, I'm also getting into gardening in general. So don't worry, this likely won't be the only thing I post here.

I guess basically what I'm asking is which family of "lillies" ours are in so I know whether or not I should be concerned, since the consensus here seems to be that actual daylillies aren't actually fatal for cats.

I have those daylilies in my yard in abundance and my current cat and previous cats walk amongst them with no ill effects. I don't think just rubbing against the plant will cause any problems.

There was a discussion about this subject just a few days ago on another thread. I will see if I can find it and post the link.

Yours are Hemerocallis fulva 'Kwanso'.

Here is the link to the previous thread
The thread "Are daylilies toxic to cats or dogs?" in Daylilies forum

touchofsky said:Yours are Hemerocallis fulva 'Kwanso'.

Here is the link to the previous thread
The thread "Are daylilies toxic to cats or dogs?" in Daylilies forum

Thank you! I actually read over this and another thread about it before posting this, I was mainly looking for clarification as to whether or not the daylillies we have are actually daylillies (Hemerocallis) or whether they were some form of true lillies. This answer makes me feel a lot better and less panicked! I very much appreciate it!

You are welcome, and to our daylily forum!

Your "lilies" are not lilies but daylilies, Hemerocallis. They are listed as toxic to cats along with lilies but because so many daylily gardeners have cats that eat daylilies and remain healthy many believe that the reports of toxicity are a case of misidentification (i.e. someone telling their veterinarian their cat ate a daylily when it was actually a lily (Lilium) which are proven poisonous to cats). You only have to spend time on daylily forums, especially on Facebook, to see people posting pictures of true lilies labeled daylily or "day lily" to see how there could be confusion, and you weren't even sure yourself

Whatever the truth of the matter, many cats have no problem with daylilies, even with eating the flowers or leaves. If your cat starts to seem ill the best thing would be to consult your veterinarian.

sooby said:Your "lilies" are not lilies but daylilies, Hemerocallis. They are listed as toxic to cats along with lilies but because so many daylily gardeners have cats that eat daylilies and remain healthy many believe that the reports of toxicity are a case of misidentification (i.e. someone telling their veterinarian their cat ate a daylily when it was actually a lily (Lilium) which are proven poisonous to cats). You only have to spend time on daylily forums, especially on Facebook, to see people posting pictures of true lilies labeled daylily or "day lily" to see how there could be confusion, and you weren't even sure yourself

Whatever the truth of the matter, many cats have no problem with daylilies, even with eating the flowers or leaves. If your cat starts to seem ill the best thing would be to consult your veterinarian.

Thank you so much! My cat is fine thus far, showing no symptoms of being ill at all. I'll keep an eye on him, but I'm a lot less concerned now than I was when it first happened. I did believe ours were daylillies and not true lillies but I wasn't 100% sure what type which is why I needed to ask to make sure! I can definitely see where the confusion would come from, and it's a shame that it's apparently become such a common misconception. I'm glad that now I can hopefully enjoy our daylillies without worrying about the cats, 'cause this subject has been bugging me for awhile (ever since I learned about lillies being toxic) even before our very aptly named cat Gremlin decided to start rubbing all over one of them, Lol.

Our cats mostly leave the daylillies alone, but Gremlin is a little younger (he's probably 8-9 months old if I had to guess) and more apt to get into no good. I've never seen him chewing on anything other than grass on occasion, but since we've had him I have been a little bit more worried about him with the daylillies than the others. Definitely a relief to learn that they aren't actually the super toxic type that can kill a cat if they even so much as nibble on them.

You have daylilies, not true lilies (which grow from actual bulbs). THOSE are toxic but daylilies are not. There are so many conflicting reports about toxicity because of the confusion between the two. They have been a food source for hundreds of years in Taiwan, China and most of eastern Asia. I have always had cats and I have never had a cat have a reaction to DAYLILIES. Since you are mostly referring to your kitty rubbing against the foliage, have no fear. Kitty is safe. I have a black cat who is always in my daylily seedling beds, rubbing against, nibbling on, and laying down among the plants. She's out there right now, peeking out of the leaves, waiting for chipmunks to run through. It is possible that 'some' cats, like some people who might be allergic to certain foods, may have had some type of reaction and it was reported as toxic. I have relatives who have serious allergic reactions to common foods like cashews, lettuce, apples, celery, etc. of which most people eat with no issues....and which would not be on a list of toxic foods. Many of us daylily addicts have cats and would not let our cats outside in our gardens if toxicity was an issue. Especially my Noelle 'cause she's my baby. But I do understand your concern!