Is Lily-of-the-valley poisonous to dogs or cats?

Lily-of-the-valley

  • Scientific Name: Convallaria majalis
  • Also Known As: Lily-of-the-valley
  • Is It Toxic? Yes
  • Toxins: Cardenolide cardiotoxins (primarily convallotoxin, convallamarin) highest in seeds (0.45%), flowers (0.4%), leaves (0.13%-0.2% dry weight); poorly absorbed; fruit skin, flowers contain steroidal saponins
  • Symptoms: Vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias; hyperkalemia Ipecac emetic contraindicated as cardiac glycosides affect the vagus
  • Toxic Parts:
  • General:

Lily-of-the-valley is a poisonous plant. The main toxin in lily-of-the-valley is a group of cardenolides, while the steroidal saponins found in the plants can cause cardiac problems in pets. Because of this, veterinarians discourage the use of lily-of-the-valley for making herbal medications for pets.

What is Lily-of-the-valley?

Lily-of-the-valley (Lilium candidum) is a bulbous perennial herb that is common throughout Europe and Eurasia. The plant has a basal rosette of long narrow leaves and small pealike umbels at the top. It has scented, trumpet-shaped lilylike flowers that can be red, white, or lavender in color.