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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Neighbours growing lillies

72 replies

colachive · 12/06/2023 21:58

Recently started letting 3x 1-year old cats outside, as it’s impossible for them to cope with the heat being stuck inside. I’ve also got a 4 year old cat who is used to going out already and happily sleeps in a bush all day.

we’ve had all the doors open today, with the cats playing in the back gardens in our terraced street, running in and out, climbing through the undergrowth and keeping cool.

however - I’ve just looked out the back window and seen an adjacent neighbour growing a big planter of bright red lillies. I know for a fact that my older girl likes sniffing around in that garden and sleeping under their bench. The other cats have been in there over the last couple of days too.

we’ve messaged him and he’s offered to cut the anthers out, to get rid of the pollen, which is very nice - but we’re wondering if this will do anything?

another neighbour has now said that they might have lillies growing too (piped up on a street WhatsApp type thing) and now I’m so so paranoid about letting them out!

my older girl has been lethargic today but no other symptoms and ofc it’s 30 degree heat so lethargy would make sense. We feel like we have no other option but to keep them all indoors.

what would you do? Help!

OP posts:
bornintheuk2 · 12/06/2023 22:06

Sorry to add to your anxiety but all parts of the lily are toxic to cats so I don't know what to suggest. If you have good relationships with your neighbours you might be able to discuss a compromise. We have wandering cats and I've no idea what neighbours have in their gardens - but they do seem to spend much of their waking time in our garden

FishOnABicycleMadeForTwo · 12/06/2023 22:07

I wouldn’t have asked my neighbours to change their garden tbh, I think your neighbours sound amazing!
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Is a catio an option?

lljkk · 12/06/2023 22:09

We have had lillies & cats; nothing bad happened.

007DoubleOSeven · 12/06/2023 22:10

FishOnABicycleMadeForTwo · 12/06/2023 22:07

I wouldn’t have asked my neighbours to change their garden tbh, I think your neighbours sound amazing!
.
Is a catio an option?

This. Unless your cats routinely eat plants they shouldn't, all you need to worry about is the pollen and they're being very kind and understanding in saying they'll snip it out. Buy them a nice bottle of wine to say thank you and trust your cats.

CuriouslyDifferent · 12/06/2023 22:11

I would approach your neighbors and thank them again for their kind offer, but then ask if you could cover the cost of replacing their Lillie’s with something that’s not poisoness to small fluff balls.

keep it light…. You’re not asking anything, but offering…. Add in, It’s such a shame too, Lillie’s are lovely and theirs are lovely, etc.

DisforDarkChocolate · 12/06/2023 22:12

No way would I change my garden so your pet can roam in it.

Readyplayerthr33 · 12/06/2023 22:13

You’re being totally unreasonable. You cannot go around asking people not to grow what they want in their gardens.

Your cars will roam. Are you going to scope out the entire neighbourhood and surrounding estates?

DappledOliveGroves · 12/06/2023 22:14

We’ve had cats for nearly 20 years. In that time we’ve had numerous bouquets of lilies indoors, cats have had free rein into all manner of gardens and they’ve all lived to tell the tale. I assume so long as your cats don’t make a habit of eating random plants then they’ll be fine.

Catchasingmewithspiders · 12/06/2023 22:14

Ive always had lillies and cats, we did as a child too

My cat who is a massive plant eater (can demolish a spider plant in one sitting) just avoids the lillies

DreamItDoIt · 12/06/2023 22:14

Pls don't ask your neighbours to adjust their garden because you have cats. This is for you to try and find a solution not ask others to compromise.

PinkPrincessPhilo · 12/06/2023 22:15

I love lilies and cats. Have two cats and no lilies. Such in a life.

That said, I think it’s very unreasonable of you to expect your neighbours to do anything. They sound lovely but it really is up to you to manage your pets.

I have two dogs too, and we live next door to a farm and a field of sheep. While my dogs are in no way vicious, I wouldn’t trust any dog to not worry sheep, especially pregnant ewes. I’ve spent a huge amount of time, effort, and money on securing my garden so that my dogs can’t get near the sheep.

It’s part of responsible pet ownership.

EachandEveryone · 12/06/2023 22:16

Cant you cat proof your garden?

Original poster
colachive · 12/06/2023 22:17

Thanks so much for the advice. Just a clarification: we didn’t ask the neighbour to change their garden!! Agree that is unreasonable. We simply asked what kind they were (so we could check the toxicity) and the neighbour offered!!

We will certainly be thanking them and bringing them a bottle of something delicious

OP posts:
stillherenow · 12/06/2023 22:18

This is like you asking me to keep my dog in because it will definitely kill your cat if it catches it. I’ve had cats, it’s the downside of letting them roam.

Your neighbours will have to put up with acres of cat shit, don’t ask them to move their lilies ! I also now get a daily half eaten mouse I have to find before the dog does! Cats are so annoying to neighbours .

I adored my cat and she lived 20 years and I had lilies in the house in the hearth as I didn’t realise they were poisonous until a few years ago- she was fine

Jellybean23 · 12/06/2023 22:19

Your cat has to take it's chances when it's roaming. And what about the next garden and the next and the next?

MrsRobinsonsHandprints · 12/06/2023 22:19

I can't believe this. You let your cats out to kill the wildlife and shit in gardens and you think you should have some control on what people plant in their gardens?

Just when I think I've met the world's biggest CF another pops up.

LetItGoHome · 12/06/2023 22:20

There is no way you can say any more to your neighbour about the lily's. You will end up souring the relationship and making yourself look neurotic. There could be numerous lilies in any number of gardens around you.

Azandme · 12/06/2023 22:21

You messaged your neighbour about plants they were growing in THEIR garden, because your cats like to roam there?

I've heard it all now.

I have two cats, and I'm astounded at your cheek! If you are concerned the onus is on you to cat proof YOUR garden so they can't get out, not ask your neighbours to change their plants!

What on earth made you think the issue was for them to solve?

Azandme · 12/06/2023 22:24

Who mentioned lilies on the "street WhatsApp thing"?

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 12/06/2023 22:25

That's part of letting cats out to roam 🤷‍♀️

They can eat poisonous stuff, get stolen, get stuck in sheds or get hit by cars. It's the risk you take unfortunately.

Spectre8 · 12/06/2023 22:27

Wow how cheeky to ask them that. They can grow what they like in their garden, you have zero right to ask them not to. If your cat shit in their garden you gonna go clean it up everytime? Of course you wouldn't.

Leave your neighbours alone.

Sux2buthen · 12/06/2023 22:28

Wondering where is open to buy lilies at 1030pm🤔 I suddenly feel the urge to do some gardening

Russellandholmes · 12/06/2023 22:30

We have loads of lilies. Our garden is the favourite destination for all the cats in the neighbourhood it seems - they've all survived the 9 years we've been here so far....

Original poster
colachive · 12/06/2023 22:32

At no point did I ask my neighbour to remove the plants… 🙄 next time I won’t bother posting as it is a snake pit in here!

OP posts:
Clymene · 12/06/2023 22:32

Most cats don't eat lilies. I grew them for years before I knew they were toxic and my cats typically live until 18-20.

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