Responsible pet parents know that some things that grow in nature, like blueberries and carrots, are healthy for dogs to snack on. However, other things like avocados and grapes are toxic to our furry friends and can cause severe health issues. When it comes to fresh flowers, the same is true! Some beautiful blooms can harm our pets, especially if they are accidentally ingested, yet many other fresh flowers can safely cohabitate with our beloved cats and dogs. When curating the perfect pet-friendly urban jungle or indoor garden, take a look at these popular, nontoxic flowers. The experts here at The FlowerLoft of Lima have carefully chosen these stems for their non-toxicity in addition to their fragrance, allure, charm, symbolism, and overall magnificence.

Our Favorite Non-Toxic Flowers to Display Around Cats and Dogs

Roses

When in doubt, go for the roses! Roses are ideal blooms for just about any occasion, especially since they come in a wide array of bright colors. Not only are they an excellent flower for celebrations, but they are perfectly acceptable to bring into a pet-friendly home.

Gerbera Daisies

Although delicate and sweet, common daisies are toxic to our four-legged friends. Bright and dazzling gerbera daisies are safe for Fido and Fluffy, making them a fantastic alternative. Better yet, a gerbera daisy’s warm and cheerful sentiment can be admired from early spring through autumn.

Sunflowers

We can always be optimistic about sunflowers, as they symbolize peace, love, happiness, positivity, and optimism. In addition to their hopefulness, sunflowers are nontoxic to pets. This means that sunflowers and fur babies are a truly uplifting and mood-boosting pair.

Snapdragons

Snapdragons are one of the best flowers to add color and dimension to any bouquet or floral display. They can also be displayed on their own in bud vases to add bursts of fresh hues to your home. These pet-friendly blooms are tall, luxurious, and thrive from early spring through late fall.

Orchid

Once a rare, exotic, and highly coveted and sought-after flowering plant, orchids have adopted rich symbolism, including luxury, wealth, good fortune, love, beauty, grace, elegance, and refinement. Today, orchids are still a beloved botanical, especially among pet parents, since these blooms can safely coexist with cats and dogs. 

Pansies

A close relative to violets are pansies. They are common garden flowers that bloom in hues of purple, orange, yellow, white, red, and blue and can even present multiple colors on one petal. If you’re both an avid gardener and a devoted pet parent, pansies are an ideal choice.

Zinnias

Although zinnias are non-toxic to hungry pets looking for a quick snack, we wouldn’t recommend purposely feeding them to Fido or Fluffy as treats. Zinnias are wonderful, bold, dramatic flowers that add pops of red and orange hues to floral bouquets. They also attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies when planted in your outdoor garden.

Signs of Poisoning in Pets

If curious noses and playful paws happen to be exposed to toxic flowers or plants, they may experience symptoms like dehydration, lethargy, drooling, lethargy, loss of appetite, or bleeding gums. If you spot any of these signs of poisoning in your fur baby, be sure to call a trusted veterinarian right away. You can also contact poison control or bring your pet to the closes animal hospital for immediate attention. Before bringing any plants or flowers into your pet-friendly home, consider browsing a comprehensive list of toxic botanicals or visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website.

How to Protect your Pets from Toxic Flowers

Displaying vibrant, uplifting, beautiful, and fragrant flowers in your home is a great way to add a pop of color and boost your mood any time of year. As a caring and diligent pet parent, it is important to be mindful when choosing the best home for your flowers and plants. High shelves, hanging pots, porches, and tall dressers are some of the safest places for botanicals since it can be hard for pets to reach them. To purchase your favorite pet-friendly flowers, or to find the perfect bouquet for a friend or loved one, visit The FlowerLoft of Lima.