Are peace lilies poisonous to dogs?

Updated 11/05/2023

Shopping around for some new house plants to brighten up your abode? Peace lilies are a popular choice - and it's easy to see why. Not only do they make a pretty addition to our homes, they’re also pretty easy to take care of - and can even help to purify the air around us. 

However, houseproud pet parents on the search for their next leafy purchase should consider this: is a peace lily toxic to dogs, or is it generally safe for our four-legged friends? Let’s discuss…

Are peace lilies toxic to dogs?

Most pet parents already know that traditional lilies are highly toxic to our feline friends. But you might be surprised to learn there are actually lots of different types of lily - many of which are dangerous to dogs, too. 

Peace lilies, like traditional lilies, are in the Araceae family - and yes, according to the ASPCA, are toxic to both dogs and cats. The main culprit to blame? Calcium oxalate crystals, aka needle-like crystals that are present in all parts of the peace lily plant, including the stem and leaves.

Peace lily poisoning

Symptoms

If chewed or ingested, a peace lily can cause an inflammatory reaction (which can range from mild to severe), along with a number of nasty symptoms in our furry friends. According to the ASPCA, the main symptoms of peace lily poisoning to watch out for include:

• Intense burning and/or irritation of mouth, tongue and lips
• Excessive drooling
• Vomiting/diarrhea
• Difficulty swallowing
• Decreased appetite 
• Pawing at face (due to oral pain)

What to do if a dog eats a peace lily?

Diagnosis

Often, the initial symptoms of peace lily poisoning will appear pretty quickly. That said, in some cases, symptoms can take a few hours to display (especially if your pooch has guzzled down a peace lily without actually chewing it). 

In either case, it's always worth making a call to your vet as soon as possible, who will ask you a few questions (what you suspect your pooch has eaten, and how much of it you think they’ve eaten), along with which symptoms (if any) your pet is currently displaying.

Treatments

As with many other toxic plants, symptoms (and treatment) can vary depending on a number of factors, which is why it’s important to always seek the advice of your vet if you suspect your pooch has eaten something they shouldn't have. After an initial phone call, your vet will be able to advise if you (and your pooch) need to come in for a physical examination and treatment, which may include rinsing out the mouth and making your dog get sick if they’ve ingested the plant in the last 1-2 hours. Medication to protect your dog’s gastrointestinal tract may also be prescribed and your vet may give your pooch some intravenous fluids.

Because peace lily poisoning can inflame the throat, mouth, and tongue, it may result in difficulty breathing. It probably goes without saying, but should that happen, don't wait around - be sure to head down to your veterinary office as soon as possible.

Of course, like with most things, prevention is better than cure. Be mindful of what your dog may be sniffing or scoffing, either in the garden, home, or while out on a walk, and avoid lily plants in your home if possible.  

Meet our veterinary expert, Aisling

This article has been checked by veterinarian Aisling O’Keeffe MVB CertSAM ISFMCertAdvFB. Aisling qualified as a vet 7 years ago from University College Dublin. She has worked in a mixture of UK small animal hospitals along with Irish practices. She worked for 3 years in a feline-only hospital where she further developed her feline medicine and surgery skills. She currently lives and works in a small animal hospital in Cork, Ireland. 

Other plants that are poisonous for dogs

In short: peace lily and dogs? Not a great mix. And while we’re at it, here are a few more poisonous plants that dogs should avoid:  

• Wisteria
• Foxglove
• Poinsettias
• Hyacinths
• Morning glory