With Easter around the corner, Mother’s Day in the US a couple of weeks later, and so many birthdays and reasons to say thank you, you might be planning on giving someone special in your life a bouquet of flowers in the near future.
While most people are only too happy to receive flowers as a gift, it’s important to keep in mind that not all flowers are safe for pets. Ingesting some flowers can make cats and dogs seriously ill, so it’s best not to take the risk.
If you’re thinking of buying flowers, however, we have advice from Dr. Sean McCormack, head vet at Tails.com, so you can keep everybody safe and happy!
The best flowers and plants to gift a pet parent include the following, according to Dr. McCormack:
- Sunflowers
- Marigolds
- Chinese money plant
- Rattlesnake plant
- Spider plant
- Pansies
- Bird’s-nest fern
- Orchid
- Zinnias
- Fishbone cactus
These, meanwhile, are the six main flowers to avoid, and why.
1. Hydrangeas
These often form part of Mother’s Day bouquets in particular, as they represent gratitude, grace, and beauty. However, they contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release small amounts of cyanide when ingested or chewed. Particularly in larger quantities, hydrangeas may cause diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
2. Daffodils
An Easter staple, daffodils are such a popular choice this time of year. However, they’re highly toxic to dogs.
“The bulbs of daffodils are especially harmful, as they contain lycorine and other dangerous compounds,” says Dr. McCormack. “Ingesting these compounds can lead to severe cardiac symptoms when consumed in large quantities.”
Other issues they can cause include abdominal pain and diarrhea.
3. Carnations
Often a popular choice, carnations are mildly toxic to dogs – we aren’t sure why, but it’s thought there are irritants in the petals or stem. When ingested, carnations can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
4. Lilies
Lilies are highly toxic to both dogs and cats, so they’re best avoided despite being a popular choice – they can cause seizures, kidney failure, and a slower heart rate along with vomiting and diarrhea.
“Different species of lilies can cause varying effects, with some containing insoluble oxalate crystals that can irritate the digestive system,” says Dr. McCormack. “In severe cases, ingestion can have serious consequences.”
5. Roses
A popular choice to gift loved ones, roses aren’t actually toxic to pets. However, the thorns can injure a pet’s mouth, and injuries can lead to infections when not treated, while internal blockages are also a possibility. Dethorned roses are safer, but can still give pets who have sensitive stomachs mild symptoms.
6. Tulips
Tulips are moderately toxic to dogs, due to the compounds tulipalin A and B, which can irritate a dog’s stomach lining. The more tulips ingested, the more severe the symptoms are likely to be. Drooling, tremors, breathing difficulties, and vomiting can all occur.
If your pet has ingested any of these flowers, along with other risky options including azaleas, hyacinths, amaryllis, chrysanthemums or baby’s breath, it’s important to keep an eye on them and speak to your vet immediately.
For more advice, here are 12 spring plants that are toxic to dogs, as well as 15 cat-friendly house plants
