My cat touched a lily.
This is an emergency.
True lilies are in a category of their own for cats: pollen on fur, a chewed leaf, even vase water can cause kidney failure.
Every part of true lilies (Easter, tiger, day, Asiatic, stargazer) is nephrotoxic to cats, including pollen and the water in the vase. Published guidance is unambiguous: any suspected exposure is an immediate emergency, and treatment started within 18 hours is what protects the kidneys. Bring the plant or a photo of it.
Pet Poison Helpline · 855-764-7661 ASPCA Poison Control · 888-426-4435Which lilies (and which lookalikes)
Deadly true lilies: Easter, tiger, Asiatic, day, stargazer, wood. Peace lilies and calla lilies are NOT true lilies; they cause mouth irritation and drooling, unpleasant but not kidney failure. When unsure, treat it as a true lily and call.
The timeline that matters
Vomiting and lethargy may appear in 1-6 hours, then seem to improve, while kidney injury progresses silently over 12-72 hours. The false recovery window is where cats are lost. Decontamination and IV fluids within 18 hours have a good prognosis; after 48 hours the odds fall sharply.
What NOT to do
Do not wait for symptoms. Do not induce vomiting at home in cats. Do not keep true lilies in a household with cats, ever; even careful cats groom pollen off their coats.