Peace lily and Dieffenbachia in cats: insoluble oxalates
1-year-old indoor cat that has chewed the leaves of a peace lily. It shows hypersalivation, head shaking and pawing at its mouth, and has vomited once. The owner is very worried because she has read that lilies are deadly to cats.
Which statement is correct?
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A. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth; treatment is symptomatic (rinsing or giving water, antiemetic, analgesia) and it does not cause kidney injury
Correct. The raphides embed in the mucosa and release irritants: oral pain, salivation and vomiting, generally mild and self-limiting. Upper airway swelling is rare.
B. It is a lily: intravenous fluids for 48 hours to prevent kidney injury
The peace lily is not a true lily. Feline nephrotoxicity is exclusive to Lilium and Hemerocallis.
C. There is a risk of kidney injury from oxalate deposition, as in ethylene glycol poisoning
The oxalate in these plants is insoluble and acts locally; it is not absorbed in sufficient amounts to precipitate in the kidney. Soluble oxalates (e.g. from rhubarb) can cause hypocalcaemia and kidney injury, mainly in herbivores.
D. Induce emesis and give repeated doses of activated charcoal
The damage is local and the cat has already vomited; inducing emesis would irritate the mucosa again and charcoal provides no benefit.
lightbulb Key takeaway
Houseplants with insoluble calcium oxalate: peace lily, Dieffenbachia, philodendron, pothos (Epipremnum), Monstera and calla lily (Zantedeschia). Always identify the plant by its scientific name or a photo: the common name 'lily' leads to errors in both directions. Offering water, milk or wet food relieves oral irritation.
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Updated: October 31, 2026 · Educational content for veterinary professionals. It does not replace current clinical guidelines or the judgement of the attending veterinarian.