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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:
Singleandproud · 12/06/2023 22:33

When you let cats roam you let them take their chances. My cats would be miserable indoors so they go out despite the danger from the road which ofcourse is far more dangerous than any plant. Their quality of life is greater even if the length is likely to be shorter, it is what it is.

LIllies aren't the only ones you have to be careful of daffodils, poppies and plenty more and cats will go all over the place not just the gardens you know about.

Clymene · 12/06/2023 22:34

Sux2buthen · 12/06/2023 22:28

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

Joking about poisoning animals is never amusing

WheresSpring · 12/06/2023 22:37

Just giving more reassurance - my mum grows lilies in abundance in her garden and always has. Not one of her cats has ever suffered from an associated ailment.

Absolem76 · 12/06/2023 22:40

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
.I don't think you can ask them to do this. They have the right to grow whatever they like in their garden. Besides the cats could come across them in someone else's garden. You can't ask everyone to base what they grow on the off chance that someone's cat may wander into their garden

Aslanplustwo · 12/06/2023 22:54

I don't get this. I know lilies are very toxic to cats, but everyone here grows lilies, and everyone has a cat or two, but I've never heard of a cat being poisoned. I've grown them myself, and often have them in the house but my cats don't go near them.

ConcernedCatmother · 12/06/2023 23:00

I’m sorry OP but just let it go, stop worrying and let them enjoy their outdoor life. They’re more likely to get ran over than die from a lily. If you can’t relax then make a catio, don’t expect or accept your neighbours changing their garden…it’s really selfish of you if so.

Hollyppp · 12/06/2023 23:03

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?

Yes this. It’s not just next door, your cat will be going to 15+ gardens unless you live in the middle of fields.

you cant control all gardens in your vicinity

cocksstrideintheevening · 12/06/2023 23:05

They can grow what they like in their garden. You can keep your cats in if you're worried.

Justalittlebitduckling · 12/06/2023 23:05

It’s weird to me that neighbours’ cats can just wander into our garden and shit as they please. It would be completely unacceptable if dogs did it, so why is it ok for cats?

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 12/06/2023 23:25

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.

Same when I had cats when younger, plus a garden stuffed full of lily of the valley.

Obviously talk to a vet if you’re really worried, but my guess is cat is lethargic because it’s hot.

krustykittens · 13/06/2023 00:44

I had a cat and grew lilies in my garden, OP, never had a problem. Unless something is palatable to them, they are not going to bother with it, I am guessing lilies are not that tempting?

Sux2buthen · 13/06/2023 06:08

@Clymene agree to disagree on that one

Toddlerteaplease · 13/06/2023 06:16

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

We did too. Did t know they were poisonous, but it was fine.

LetItGoHome · 13/06/2023 07:51

To be honest I think even just asking the neighbours what type of lilly it is (just check toxicity) is a bit off. Unless it was for the love of flowers! Sounds a lot like a big hint for them to do something about them. Even if you didn't actually ask them to remove them. They must have felt you were worried or they wouldn't have offered to remove the middle bit. If I were your neighbour I would feel awkward I had a plant you obviously disapprove of.

Yellowdays · 13/06/2023 09:37

My cat isn't interested in lilies either.

LBOCS2 · 13/06/2023 09:52

I've grown lillies in the garden, had them as cut flowers, and been a cat owner for the last 20 years. We've never had a problem with the cats going for them, nor did the cats I lived with growing up. They are toxic to pets - absolutely, no doubt about it. But so are lots and lots of other plants that your cats will come into contact with as they roam. You have to just trust them, I think.

krustykittens · 13/06/2023 13:34

It goes to show how stupid ponies are compared to cats. I had to turn my ponies out in my garden during the Beast From The East, and one of them ate a sodding camellia! I was out in the snow, rubbing his tummy while he groaned, praying he would poo, totally cut off from the outside world! Never had a problem with the cat, although she did like chewing apple blossom!

greenacrylicpaint · 13/06/2023 13:39

your pets - your responsibilities.

lilies (and other toxic plants) are everywhere and you can't stipulate what everyone is growing in their own properties.

you can keep your pets indoors or biuld a secure garden/run if you don't want to take the risk.

007DoubleOSeven · 13/06/2023 16:19

Justalittlebitduckling · 12/06/2023 23:05

It’s weird to me that neighbours’ cats can just wander into our garden and shit as they please. It would be completely unacceptable if dogs did it, so why is it ok for cats?

Cats aren't dogs

Justalittlebitduckling · 13/06/2023 16:52

007DoubleOSeven · 13/06/2023 16:19

Cats aren't dogs

Show quote history

What an insightful comment. You really must have been top of the class. 🙄

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 13/06/2023 16:59

Justalittlebitduckling · 12/06/2023 23:05

It’s weird to me that neighbours’ cats can just wander into our garden and shit as they please. It would be completely unacceptable if dogs did it, so why is it ok for cats?

Cats have the legal right to roam.

Spanielsarepainless · 13/06/2023 17:00

Cat proof your garden then. You can't stop your neighbours growing exactly what they like. Keep your property off their gardens.

Ilovetea42 · 13/06/2023 17:02

We have lillies at home regularly. I keep them up out of the way of my cat so he can't brush against them. And he's never had form for eating plants so never had an issue with it. I find cats are smarter about what they can/nt ingest than my dog who ate literal ceramic before..

wildinthecountry · 13/06/2023 17:06

Spanielsarepainless · 13/06/2023 17:00

Cat proof your garden then. You can't stop your neighbours growing exactly what they like. Keep your property off their gardens.

This is one thing I would like to know because it seems cats are only property when it suits the cat 'owner' . Are cats legally property or not ?

lycheelover · 13/06/2023 17:11

What is with all the aggression on this thread? OP has already said multiple times that they didn't request the neighbour to cut them down, they only asked what kind they were, and neighbour has decided themselves to help. Get a life!

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