Are spathiphyllum (peace lily) plants poisonous to cats?

[Supernova]

I received a beautiful flowering plant as a housewarming gift, but after doing some quick research, I’m concerned about my pets. I noticed my cat sniffing the leaves today, and I want to be 100% sure before I leave it on the coffee table. Specifically, are spathiphyllum plants poisonous to cats in a way that causes permanent kidney damage, or is it more of a localized irritation in the mouth?

 

[oliviasunchaser]

Spathiphyllum plants, also known as peace lilies, are indeed toxic to cats, and it's great that you're checking on this. The main concern is the insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in the plant, which can cause oral and gastrointestinal irritation, and if ingested in large amounts, can lead to more serious issues like kidney damage. However, it's not usually a case of permanent kidney damage from a single incident, but rather a potential cumulative effect if your cat keeps ingesting the plant over time. If your cat has just sniffed or lightly nibbled the leaves, it's likely just a localized irritation, but it's still best to keep the plant out of reach to avoid any further issues.