PSA (again) - my cat just died of exposure to Lilies

[M_al]

PSA - Reminder that all forms of Lilies are massively toxic to cats.

I am heartsick and stunned - our young (2 years) cat just died in my teenage daughter’s arms while hubby and I were at work and she’s remote schooling. She tried to administer CPR to no avail. Cat dry heaved and went limp, he was dead within minutes.

My birthday was Tuesday and hubby brought me lovely flowers for a vase, they weren’t opened so I put them in the vase and worried immediately about the cats tipping it over. So I tried a couple of locations and settled for behind the coffee maker by the cabinet where only the youngest 2 cats could reach the foliage but couldn’t tip it. The older cats don’t prowl that counter because it takes too much physical ability to get there.

I ‘psssted’ and pulled Tuxedo Cat off last night. He is … was … long and lanky enough to reach the greens from quite a distance away. I’m guessing he either had been there before or after. Possibly both.

He was a funny boy - last night, he caught a cricket and hubby checked to make sure it wasn’t a mouse then let him play with it. Later last night, hubby went to the garage and turned on the light and started laughing out loud - Tux cat was busted hanging out on top of hubby’s car, the source of the kitty footprints all over our windshields. Hubby took a picture of the “what, who, me?” expression the cat gave him. This morning Tux followed usual routine - not unusually thirsty but appreciating his refilled cup of water in the master bath. He snuggled on my lap for a few minutes while I drank my cuppa coffee. Gone by 10am.

Hubby drove home immediately once daughter called him, both understandably upset. I wanted a postmortem thinking poison, and hit the internet for cat poisoning symptoms and saw the lily warning. Sh*%!

They got rid of the flowers (still unopened) and took the other young cat to the vet to get checked out and possibly fluid support if indicated. Hubby is SO upset. Daughter is also upset. I feel like I should have known this toxicity. Didn’t I know a million years ago? I know about Pointsettas and other plants …

RIP Tuxedo Cat.

[Brown_Derby]

My sincerest condolences to your family on the loss of this dear cat. I just searched for info about cats and lilies, and was surprised to learn some of my favorite and most prolific landscape plants are toxic to cats - daylily, calla lily, and Peruvian lily. So I do indeed appreciate your PSA, and will be doing some digging.

[CanadianTrotter]

So very sorry.

[M_al]

Thanks so much for the kind words- wow, my apologies for the stream of consciousness above. I was still stunned and going back and forth on the phone.

Update: we think he waited until the coffee maker was cool and then ate some leaf. DD says he died within 2 minutes of the gagging noises starting.

Our other young cat, his littermate, had blood work come back looking good so hopefully she’ll be ok.

Again, I had seen a PSA maybe years ago but hadn’t remembered about lilies. So hopefully another tragedy can be averted!

[CindyCRNA]

I had lilies for years in the house with cats. I have a picture of my elderly cat posing with a vase of lilies. About 3 years ago I learned they are deadly to cats so I quit displaying them but miss their smell. I loved lilies but won’t ever take a chance as my 3 young ones would probably chew them. I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet kitty.

[BAC]

I am so sorry for your loss but thank you for the warning. I have five cats and often keep fresh flowers on the table in my entrance hall, frequently lilies as they are one of my favorites! Thank you so much for the PSA, I will never have them in the house now. I knew about poinsettias but not lilies.

[shiloh]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Please don’t blame yourself. It’s not possible to know everything. You did what you thought was right. He sounds like he was a real character. RIP.

[Zu_Zu]

Thoughts and prayers and (hugs)) for everyone who loved this handsome lad ~

RIP ~ Tuxedo Cat ~ knowing you will always be loved and remembered ~

I’m so sorry for your loss ~ :sadsmile:

• so very many / most flowers and plants are toxic to cats ”¢

[B]EASTER LILIES AND DAFFODILS !!!

Best stick with Roses & Sunflowers - SAFE ! [/B]

[MyKindaFlower]

God speed Tuxedo Cat. So very sorry for your loss OP.

[B_and_B]

I am so sorry. I am also glad for the PSA…I’ve always had cats, I never knew that lilies were toxic. Thank you for the information, but I wish you hadn’t had to write it. And condolences to your daughter especially, having a beloved animal unexpectedly die in your arms is never easy at any age.

[M_al]

Thank you all for your kind wishes. I had no idea about daffodils as well! Thanks for that as well … !

[ParadoxFarm]

Very sorry to hear of your loss. I’m heartbroken for you. Hugs.