Lily of the Valley
Poisonous to: Cats, Dogs
Level of toxicity: Generally moderate to severe
Common signs to watch for:
- Slowed heart rate
- Severe heart arrhythmias
The Convallaria majalis plant contains cardiac glycosides which will cause symptoms similar to Foxglove (digitalis) ingestion. This type of lily is different than true lily species (e.g., Asiatic, Japanese show, Oriental, day, Easter, etc.), and does not result in acute kidney failure. However, lily of the valley is still very poisonous and must be treated aggressively! When dogs or cats ingest lily of the valley, severe clinical signs can be seen, including vomiting, diarrhea, a drop in heart rate, severe cardiac arrhythmias, and possibly seizures.
Pets with any known exposure to this plant should be examined and evaluated by a veterinarian and treated symptomatically. If you suspect that your dog or cat ingested lily of the valley, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately for treatment recommendations.
Poison type: Plants
Alternate names: Convallaria, lily