Our pets will chew on anything—chairs, clothes, drapes, you name it. If they can get their teeth around it, chances are there will be some bite marks on it. Our flowers are no exception. Flowers, though, can bring a special danger, as many are toxic to our beloved four-legged friends. However, there are some that are safe for your pets to ingest. So, if you’re a plant-lover and an animal-lover, make sure you fill your home with these pet-friendly flowers (and avoid the following toxic flowers).
Pet-Friendly Flowers
If your pet likes to munch on the leaves of your plants, then consider the following non-toxic flowers:
- Roses
- Daisies
- Carnations
- Alstroemeria
- Asters
- Sunflowers
- Poms
- African violets
- Bamboo
- Marigold
- Petunias
- Tiger orchids
Toxic Flowers
While there are plenty of non-toxic flowers for your home, there are also just as many toxic flowers that you need to avoid. A full list of these toxic flowers can be found on the ASPCA website, but here’s a sampling:
- Tulips
- Azaleas
- Lilies
- Amaryllis
- Begonias
- Hydrangeas
- Larkspur
- Geranium
- Daffodils
Keeping Your Pets Away from Your Flowers
Even after buying non-toxic flowers, you want to make sure that they don’t get eaten. If you have dogs, the best way to keep your indoor flowers protected is to put them up high where they can’t be reached. You can’t do this for your outdoor flowers, however, so be sure to put a small fence, or plant barrier plants, to keep your flowers protected.
Cats are a bit more difficult, as they can get into those hard-to-reach places that dogs can’t. The best deterrent is to make your flowers smell bad to your cats. Cats hate the smell of cayenne pepper or citrus, so sprinkle some of this around the leaves or the pot to help keep them away.
Still have questions about which flowers and safe or unsafe your pets? Then feel free to contact us at Dallas House of Flowers to find the perfect, pet-friendly flowers for your home.