Disclaimer: This information does not take the place of professional veterinary advice. Different animals have varying tolerances to all substances, including flowers. 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 know which popular flowers could be safe for cats and dogs, before you give or receive a Bouquet.
While you should always keep all flowers 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 keeping our furry friends safe is a major priority. 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, it’s good to know what flowers can be harmful when you’re sending a friend a Bouq. 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
- Begonia
- 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
Which Flowers Are Safe for Cats?
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 flowers that could be safe 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 lilies are toxic to cats. Choose one of our other stunning options instead for you or other cat lovers in your life.
Which Flowers Are Safe for Dogs?
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 a bunch of sunflowers.
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.
Flowers for Humans and Pets
Since we all love flowers and our pets, it’s vital for the two coexist. When you choose a flower that could be safe for pets, everyone can remain safe and happy.
