Lillies

[dothawkes31]

Just been in asdas and was buying flowers to take to my parents grave later,byt the lady at the checkout commented as i was paying that I should be careful where I put them as the pollen is poinsonous to cats!! It actually stops their airways and they die she said. I have not heard of this anyone know if it's right? If I put these on the grave half of the Eccleston cat population that walk through the churchyard may get killed off!!!

[Jules001]

It is true that lily pollen is poisonous to cats, if they get it on their fur, they lick it to try and clean it off and so is ingested. I am not sure if it actually stops their airways or is just(!) a toxic substance which proves fatal when ingested.

[dothawkes31]

Oh dear, well I'd better be sure not to leave them about here as Tom is a right nosey sod and I can't make him ill it would be awful, I'll go and put them in the boot of the car and then at the grave i'll leave the cellophane on them so the cats won;t actually come into contact with the pollen.

[lankeela]

Below is a list of some popular plants and foods that can be poisonous to dogs and cats. Now may be a good time for a reminder also about chocolate - it can be lethal to dogs in very small doses - and yes, some of you may have been giving your pets chocolate for years without a problem, but is it worth the risk? Make sure they cannot get to boxes of chocolates left around or wrapped up and left under the tree, or the chocolate treats that hang on the tree. Another big problem at this time of year can be turkey skin - it can cause serious gastrinal problems. Don't forget vets will be closed at Christmas and any call outs will be very expensive.
Might be an idea to check your vets opening hours, just in case and ask what their on call arrangements are. Also check you have enough supplies for any pets that are on regular medication.
Hope you and your pets have a safe and happy Christmas.

http://www.entirelypets.com/toxicfoods.html

[horselady]

It is the little stamen bits in the centre of the flower that are poisonous to cats. You can, if you really want lillies, remove these from each bloom and then it will be OK. That pollen dust goes everywhere when you touch them and cats just have to brush past and weave around a bit (as they do) and they get it on their fur then lick it off.

[tamirra]

Yes it is true, my neighbours cat died after eating them, so did my husbands friends cat.

[fredpuli47]

Well, if you were bringing lilies into the house, you'd be well-advised to remove the stamens, and hence the pollen,cat or no cat. The pollen stains every fabric it touches !

[woofgang]

\if you do get lily pollen on clothing the best way to get it off is to use sellotape.

[momac]

I have only recently thrown mine out since reading the same thing weeks ago,it just isn't worth it.

[madmaggot]

Most people cut the stamen out anyway because the pollen will stain clothes or carpets and is extremely difficult to remove. Just ask the shop assistant to remove them before you take them home.

[Alice]

It's not just the pollen/stamens! Media URL: http://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/faq/-/question/ENQCADPoisonCats
Description: RSPCA Advice

[Kleiber]

Yes, lilly pollen is very poisonous to cats. Hope you manage to sort it!! K xx