A heartbroken woman whose beloved pet cat died from lily poisoning is urging owners not to buy lilies as gifts this Mother's Day. Becca Eggleton, 28, lost her 18-month-old cat Nova after the cat brushed against a lily plant in Becca’s home and groomed the pollen from her fur. Nova suffered acute kidney failure and, despite being rushed to the vet, died a few days later.
Becca said: “I bought a potted lily plant last Christmas and I had no idea they were harmful to cats. It was only when Nova staggered into our kitchen with yellow pollen all over her fur that I thought to Google lilies and cats.” She added: “It was heartbreaking to lose her and even worse when I had to come home and explain to my kids that they wouldn’t be seeing Nova again.”
Along with UK pet welfare charity Cats Protection, Becca is now urging retailers to put a clear ‘toxic to cats’ warning on lily plants. A Cats Protection survey showed that over half of cat owners – 53% – are not aware that lilies are toxic to cats. All parts of the lily plant are poisonous to cats, including the flowers, stem, leaves, seeds, and even the water in the vase.
Annabel Berdy, Senior Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Cats Protection, said: “Becca’s story is a tragic reminder of why consumers should avoid buying lilies if they have a cat or are buying for a home with a cat. If all retailers could put a clear and prominent sticker on the packaging stating that lilies and lily plants are toxic to cats then it would help to save the lives of many cats and kittens.”
With Mother’s Day approaching, the charity recommends safe flower alternatives such as buddleias, hollyhocks, pansies and roses. An online petition has also been launched by Cats Protection to call on retailers to do more to protect cats from toxic lilies.
