A Reddit post has gone viral after a user shared that their two orange cats mysteriously turned yellow overnight, sparking alarm and calls for urgent veterinary care.
Posted by Reddit user u/vvleo in the popular CAT HELP subreddit, the message included images of the cats with yellow-stained faces and necks, along with photos of two flower bouquets in the home. One bouquet appeared to include lilies, a flower known to be extremely toxic to cats.
The post quickly gained traction, with over 21,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments urging the cat owner to seek emergency veterinary help.
“Woke up this morning to two of my cats all bright yellow in the face/neck area… I don’t know if [the flowers] could be causing it. Is this potentially dangerous?” the user wrote.
Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Placer told Newsweek that the yellow staining could likely be pollen from lilies. She explained that lilies, particularly from the Lilium and Hemerocallis species, are highly toxic to cats. “All parts of the lily plant are toxic, with the flowers being the most dangerous,” said Dr. Placer. “Untreated lily exposure can lead to kidney failure within 12 to 36 hours and even death within a few days.”
She added that cats sometimes develop sudden interest in objects they previously ignored, which could explain the delayed reaction. When multiple cats are exposed, it’s often due to one influencing the other’s behavior.
Dr. Placer emphasized that any suspected exposure to lilies should prompt an immediate call to a veterinarian. Lily toxicosis is an acute and potentially fatal condition that requires urgent care.
The Reddit thread was flooded with warnings from concerned users, many sharing professional experience. “Lilies aren’t just toxic—they’re deadly. Take them to the vet ASAP,” one user wrote. Another added, “I work in a vet ER, and we see this all the time around Mother’s Day and Easter. It’s heartbreaking.”
Following the outpouring of concern, u/vvleo provided an update, confirming that both cats had received treatment and were expected to recover. The vet administered fluids to help flush out any toxins, and a follow-up appointment was scheduled.
The Redditor acknowledged their mistake and expressed gratitude for the support. “I’ve had cats my whole life. I like to think I’m a pretty great pet parent… this is my first oversight ever, though it’s a pretty huge one,” they wrote. “At least I know I truly care for them.”
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