We all love fresh flowers to brighten up our homes, but when you have pets, you need to be careful about which blooms you bring inside. Many common flowers can be toxic to dogs and cats, and even just a curious nibble from that lovely arrangement on the table or the fallen petals on the floor can make pets very ill.
But having pets doesn’t mean you have to skip having beautiful bouquets! We’ve put together a guide to help you choose pet-safe flowers for your bouquets, as well as identify common toxic ones you’ll want to avoid, so you can enjoy fresh flowers while keeping your furry friends happy and healthy.
Pet-Safe Options for Flower Bouquets
These gorgeous blooms are considered non-toxic for both cats and dogs. But do keep in mind that ingesting plant material, even from non toxic flowers, can cause mild digestive upset in our furry friends and still place these out of pets’ reach.
Roses
This classic bouquet flower is actually pet-friendly! Available in every color of the rainbow, roses are a versatile bouquet flower for any occasion. Just be sure to remove thorns before arranging (or ask your florist to), not because of toxicity, but to protect pets (and people) from pokes.
Alstroemerias (Peruvian Lilies)
Despite being called “Peruvian Lily”, alstroemeria is NOT a true lily and is safe for both cats and dogs. (True lilies are extremely toxic to pets, so don’t confuse the two.) These popular flowers are prized for their long vase life and stunning variety of colors and patterns. Each bloom features delicate stripes and speckles, creating visual interest that rivals much pricier flowers.
Gerbera Daisies
Bring a burst of joy to anyone with these cheerful, pet-safe flowers! Their large, daisy-like blooms come in vibrant colors from bright orange to deep pink, and their wide, friendly faces can last up to two weeks in a vase.
Sunflowers
These bold, happy flowers make a dramatic statement in arrangements. Sunflowers are non-toxic for dogs and cats, and their large size means you only need a few stems to make a striking display.
Snapdragons
Add height and drama to your bouquet with these distinctive tower-shaped blooms! Snapdragons feature dozens of small flowers clustered along tall stems, available in shades of pink, red, purple, yellow, orange, and white. Their vertical structure creates visual interest and movement in arrangements, while being safe for dogs and cats.
Zinnias
These vibrant, cheerful blooms are a wonderful pet-safe addition to any bouquet! Zinnias come in an impressive range of colors, from bold reds and oranges to soft pinks and creamy whites, and their full, layered petals create a lush, garden-fresh look in arrangements.
Lisianthus
Lisianthus offers a rose-like appearance without the thorns. These elegant blooms feature layers of delicate, ruffled petals that create a luxurious, romantic look, and they come in a beautiful range of colors from soft whites and blush pinks to rich purples and deep burgundies. Safe for both cats and dogs, lisianthus also has a long vase life, meaning your arrangement will stay fresh and beautiful long after other blooms would have faded.
Orchids
Exotic, beautiful, and pet-safe, orchids are another excellent choice for any occasion. You can get them as cut flowers, or for longer lasting blooms, choose a potted orchid. Their delicate appearance and variety of colors, from classic white to vibrant purple, make them a sophisticated alternative to traditional bouquets.
Asters
These cheerful, daisy-like flowers add a burst of color and charm to any arrangement. Asters come in shades of purple, pink, white, and blue, with delicate petals radiating from golden centers. They’re non-toxic to pets and work beautifully as both focal flowers (when clustered together) or as textural accents.
Pet-Safe Filler Flowers & Accents
These lovely additions are commonly used to add texture, fragrance, and fullness to bouquets, and they’re all safe for your furry friends.
Freesias
These delicate, tubular blooms are prized for their sweet, citrusy fragrance that can fill an entire room. Available in soft pastels and vibrant colors, freesias add both visual appeal and aromatic charm to arrangements while being non-toxic to pets.
Stock
With their tall spikes of clustered blooms and spicy-sweet scent, stock flowers bring both height and fragrance to bouquets. These classic additions come in romantic shades of pink, purple, white, and red, making them a pet-safe choice for adding dimension to your bouquet.
Limonium (Statice)
These tiny, papery flowers create a cloud-like effect in arrangements and are often used both fresh and dried. Limonium adds airy texture and comes in purple, pink, white, and yellow and is safe for cats and dogs.
Waxflowers
These delicate sprigs feature tiny, waxy blooms that look almost porcelain-like and add a soft, romantic touch to any bouquet. Long-lasting and pet-safe, waxflower (usually found in pink or white) is a popular filler that brings subtle elegance without any risk to your furry companions.
Pet-Safe Greenery for Bouquets
Don’t forget about the greens! While many bouquets include toxic fillers like eucalyptus, ivy, or asparagus fern, these pet-safe greenery options are commonly available and just as beautiful.
Leather Leaf Fern
This sturdy, feathery greenery is one of the most common fillers in floral arrangements and safe for pets. It adds natural depth and texture to bouquets, creating a lush backdrop that makes colorful blooms stand out.
Salal (Lemon Leaf)
With its glossy, oval leaves and rich green color, salal is a florist favorite for adding elegant fullness to arrangements. This pet-safe option provides a beautiful, polished look that complements the flowers in bouquets.
Sword Fern (Boston Fern)
Another pet-safe choice for greenery, these delicate, arching fronds bring a soft, natural elegance to bouquets. Sword fern’s bright green color and graceful draping make it a popular choice for creating romantic, garden-inspired displays.
Dangerous Bouquet Flowers for Pets
These popular blooms may be stunning to behold, but when it comes to your four-legged family members, they’re best avoided. While this isn’t a complete list of every toxic flower (there are hundreds!), these are some of the most common cut flowers you’ll want to skip to keep your pets safe.
Lilies (True Lilies and Daylilies) – Extremely Toxic, Especially to Cats
Lilies are one of the deadliest flowers for pets, particularly cats. Even small amounts of pollen ingested by cats can cause kidney failure within 72 hours. All parts of the plant are toxic: petals, leaves, stems, and even the water in the vase. If you suspect your pet has ingested any part of a lily, seek immediate emergency veterinary care.
Daffodils – Highly Toxic
Daffodils contain lycorine and other toxic alkaloids throughout the entire plant. Even small amounts can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and drooling. In serious cases, ingestion can lead to low blood pressure, tremors, and heart arrhythmias. If your pet ingests any part of a daffodil, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Hyacinths – Highly Toxic
Hyacinths can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and tremors in pets if ingested. In larger amounts, they can lead to difficulty breathing and changes in heart rate. The flowers, leaves, stems, are all harmful with the bulbs being the most dangerous part. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet eats any part of a hyacinth.
Amaryllis – Highly Toxic
Amaryllis contains toxic alkaloids (similar to daffodils) throughout the entire plant, with the bulb being most concentrated. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, excessive drooling, and loss of appetite. In more severe cases, amaryllis poisoning can lead to tremors, low blood pressure, and changes in heart rate. If your pet consumes any part of an amaryllis, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Anemones – Highly Toxic
All parts of the anemone plant are toxic, with the leaves being especially concentrated in toxins. Ingestion can cause immediate mouth irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. In more severe cases, anemones can lead to tremors, seizures, difficulty breathing, and even death. The severity of symptoms often depends on the amount consumed and the size of your pet. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet ingests any part of an anemone.
Calla Lilies
Calla lilies pose a risk to curious pets. These blooms contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate burning and irritation to the mouth, tongue, and throat when chewed. Pets who ingest calla lilies may experience excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. While rarely life-threatening, the discomfort can be significant.
Tulips
These colorful blooms might look cheerful, but they contain toxins that can be dangerous to pets. Even small nibbles of the stems, leaves, or flowers can irritate your pet’s mouth and cause vomiting, excessive drooling, and diarrhea, and treatment may be needed if symptoms persist or seem severe.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas contain compounds that release cyanide when chewed. While severe poisoning is rare, these pretty clusters can still cause significant discomfort if ingested by your pet. The flowers, leaves, and buds all contain toxic compounds that can lead to vomiting, depression, and diarrhea, so keep them away from pets.
Carnations
These beloved blooms, often found in bouquets, may pose a mild risk to pets. All parts of carnations contain substances that can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. Pets who ingest carnations might experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling. Most cases involve mild symptoms that resolve on their own, but it’s prudent to keep these flowers out of reach and consult your vet if any symptoms persist or seem severe.
Other Common Bouquet Flowers That Are Toxic to Pets
- Baby’s Breath: A common filler in bouquets, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy
- Chrysanthemums: Can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and wobbliness
- Common Daisies: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, and skin irritation
- Delphinium/Larkspur: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, heart problems and muscle tremors
- Gardenias: Can cause mild vomiting, diarrhea, and hives
- Gladiolus: Can cause vomiting, drooling, and lethargy
- Iris: Can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy
- Peonies: Can cause mild vomiting and diarrhea
- Ranunculus: Every part is toxic, causing severe mouth irritation and digestive issues
- Filler Greens: Many bouquets include fillers, like eucalyptus, ivy, or asparagus fern, which can also be toxic to pets
What to Do if Your Pet Eats a Toxic Flower
Discovering that your furry friend has snacked on a potentially dangerous flower can be stressful, but quick and composed action can make all the difference. Here’s how you can help your pet:
- Identify the Plant: Start by identifying the type of flower your pet has ingested. If you’re unsure, try to collect a sample of the plant or take a clear photo for the veterinarian.
- Check for Symptoms: Observe your pet for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, lethargy, or any unusual behavior. Keep a close eye on their breathing and physical coordination.
- Contact Your Veterinarian: Call your vet immediately and describe the plant and symptoms. If you’re unable to reach your vet quickly, contact an emergency animal clinic, the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Follow Professional Advice: Your veterinarian may ask you to induce vomiting, administer activated charcoal, or bring your pet in for examination and treatment, such as intravenous fluids or more intensive interventions.
- Do Not Self-Treat: Avoid giving your pet over-the-counter remedies or inducing vomiting without specific advice from a veterinary professional. Some interventions can worsen the situation, depending on the plant involved.
- Monitor Ongoing Symptoms: Keep monitoring your pet’s symptoms even after professional care, adhering to any follow-up instructions provided by your vet.
With prompt action, most pets recover without lasting effects.
Keeping Your Home Pet-Safe and Beautiful
Being a pet parent doesn’t mean you have to give up the simple pleasure of fresh flowers in your home. With a little knowledge about which are safe and which to avoid, you can fill your space with beautiful blooms without worry. Bookmark this guide so you always have a handy reference the next time you’re shopping for flowers!
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