Disclaimer: This information does not take the place of professional veterinary advice. Different animals have varying tolerances to all substances, including flowers. Please refer to this information from the ASPCA to learn more.
If you’re like us, your dogs and cats are more than just pets; they’re members of the family. As any pet owner knows, it can be difficult to keep your furry friend from eating whatever strikes their fancy. That’s why it’s so important to get to know popular pet-safe flowers that are fine for dogs and cats, before you give or receive a Bouq.
While you should always keep your stunning floral arrangements out of reach of your pets, by choosing a flower that could be safe for your furry friends, you can sit back and enjoy your new Bouq while being less vigilant about their safety.
Flowers Which Can Be Toxic to Cats and Dogs
Here at The Bouqs Co., we love all flowers, but we recognize that many people will want specific pet-safe flowers when ordering with us. It doesn’t matter if you’re the proud parent of a dog or cat, because both can get sick from eating some types of flowers. We’re not talking about an upset stomach from eating too much grass — we’re talking about more serious issues.
While some flowers are toxic to only cats or only dogs, many flowers can harm both canine and feline family members. Even if you’re not a pet owner yourself, you may be sending a Bouq to a friend or family member. In this case, it’s good to know which flowers are cat-safe or dog-friendly, and which ones may be harmful for their furry friends. After all, you don’t want to use those flower delivery coupons to send your friend a flower that can harm their pet!
To ensure the safety of all the pets out there, we’ve taken a look at plant toxicity to find out which flowers you should keep out of both your dog’s and cat’s reach. Before you take a look at that list, there are some items you should keep in mind.
Even if a flower is toxic, other parts of the plant might be a bigger concern. For example, the bulbs of flowers, such as tulips, lilies, and daffodils are more toxic than the flowers themselves. But, that doesn’t mean you should allow your pets access to the blooms of these plants.
It’s also important to note that some of the following plants are more toxic than others. While some will give your dog or cat some mild nausea, others can cause seizures, breathing problems, and liver failure. With that said, we all love our pets and want to do everything we can to keep them safe. Therefore, it’s best to avoid keeping any of the following within your pet’s reach:
- Aloe
- Amaryllis
- Azalea
- Bird of Paradise
- Calla Lily
- Carnation
- Chrysanthemum
- Daffodil
- Dahlia
- Freesia
- Gladiola
- Hyacinth
- Hydrangea
- Iris
- Lantana
- Lavender
- Lily of the Valley
- Peace Lily
- Peony
- Ranunculus
- Rhododendron
- Tulip
Six Cat Safe Flowers You Could Trust
Cats can be fierce hunters and cuddly fluff balls; that’s why we love them so much. However, their curious nature can lead them to munch on plants and flowers. If they happen to take a bite out of a toxic plant, an emergency vet visit may await.
If you own a cat or are planning to gift a Bouq to someone who has a cat in their house, here’s a list of cat safe flowers that could be fine for our feline friends:
- Asters
- Celosia
- Orchids
- Roses
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
While some of our arrangements feature some of these flowers that could be safe to our feline friends, it’s important to note that other popular bouquet-fillers like lilies are toxic to cats. So, be sure to choose one of our lily-less options instead for you or other cat lovers in your life.
Nine Dog Safe Flowers You Could Trust
Dogs, like cats, are curious creatures. Even if they stay out of things when their humans are there to keep them company, they sometimes get into mischief when left alone. If you come home to a knocked-over vase and petals strewn throughout your house, you want your biggest worry to be this minor destruction rather than your dog’s health.
The good news is that not all flowers are harmful to our pups. Before you welcome some new flowers into your home or send a Bouq to a friend, consider this list of flowers that could be safe for dogs:
- African Violet
- Asters
- Celosia
- Orchids
- Pansies
- Petunia
- Rose
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
With so many options to choose from, you can keep your favorite pups healthy while also brightening someone’s day. Since many of these flowers could be safe for both dogs and cats, you don’t have to worry about sending a pet lover a rose delivery or bunch of sunflowers.
Pet Poisoning Signs to Watch Out For
If you think that your cat or dog has got into a toxic plant or flower, keep an eye out for these common symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Excessive panting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Decreased urination – a sign of possible kidney failure
- Dry Mouth
- Excessive thirst
- Lack of appetite
- Nosebleeds
Not all flowers produce the same effects, and your pet will not exhibit all symptoms at once. Some of these symptoms are hard to detect or take a few hours to appear. So, if you notice your dog or cat seems different than normal, it’s good to keep a close eye on them.
What To Do If You Believe Your Pet Has Eaten an Unsafe Flower
If you see your pet has taken a bite out of a toxic flower, act right away. Call your vet and explain what your pet has eaten, how much, and their symptoms. From here, listen to your vet.
If you notice symptoms but don’t know what your pet ate, still call the vet. They will advise you whether you have time to look around to see if you notice any clues regarding what your pet ate.
Although it can be alarming when your best friend gets into something they shouldn’t, try to remain calm. Your vet may ask you to bring your pet into their office, or they may tell you to stay at home and watch for further symptoms. If they tell you to come into their office, make sure to bring the flowers that your pet ate.
Tips to Keep Pets Away From Flowers & Plants
Keep the Flowers & Plants Out of Reach
This is probably the quickest trick; just put the flowers or plant where your pet can’t reach it. Plant stands are a good pet deterrent for the little guys, like a small dog or a guinea pig. If your pet is big enough to reach the plant stand or is a little more rambunctious and prone to knocking things over, think even bigger. Tall furniture or hanging planters could be the answer.
But what if you have a cat that likes to climb on the tallest furniture you have?
Move the Flowers or Plants Into Rooms They Can’t Access
Are there rooms that are off limits for your pets? Some people, for example, train their pets to stay out of the kitchen. This way, they will stay out of the way when the humans are cooking and won’t get their mouths on anything that they shouldn’t eat. If that’s the case, the kitchen will work for poisonous flowers or plants for pets just as well. Maybe pets have their own space to sleep in and aren’t allowed in your bedroom. There are plenty of houseplants that help purify the air that will be perfect for your bedroom!
But what if your pet is your little shadow and follows you in every room you go in?
Train Your Pets Not to Mess With Flowers & Plants
Chances are, you already trained your pet to go to the bathroom in the litter box or outside only. If you have done that, you can use similar tactics to train your pets that messing with the flowers or plants is a major no-no. When your pet tries to eat or dig up the plant, let them know you disapprove of the behavior. A good trick is to keep a spray bottle nearby so if they go for the plant, you can lightly spray them. This won’t hurt the pet and eventually, they won’t want to go near the plants. Reinforce good behavior. If they walk away from the plant smother them with treats, lots of love, and pets! Training your pet to stay away from house plants will take patience and is the longest trick of them all, but in the long run will be the most effective pet deterrent.
What do you do in the meantime?
Make the Flowers & Plants Unappealing to Your Pets
There are plenty of safe, non-toxic sprays that you can spray the plant with, like bitter apple for example. The pet won’t like the taste or smell, so they will be unlikely to want to mess with the flowers or plants anymore. Is your dog constantly digging the soil or your cat using it as a litter box? Cover the soil up and the plant will be less attractive. You can put large rocks on top of the soil to cover it, but this way the water will still drain to the soil so your plant can be properly watered. Prickly pine cones are a good pet deterrent as well because they won’t want to stand on them.
Order Dog and Cat Safe Flowers Today
Since we all love flowers and our pets, it’s vital the two coexist. When you choose a flower that could be safe for pets, everyone can remain safe and happy. Want some more tips? Browse through our posts from the basics of arranging flowers to flowers that cause migraines and allergies. And next time you’re ordering flower delivery online, visit The Bouqs Co.
Get 20% off on Bouqs.com with code BOUQSBLOG. Exclusions apply.
This article has been updated with better information since its original publication on August 26, 2020.
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