Keeping Pets Safe Around Flowers and Plants


We all love fresh flowers and plants for the beauty they provide and their incredible aromas that fill our homes. Unfortunately, our pets don’t enjoy flowers the same way we do. Dogs and cats have a natural curiosity and tend to investigate anything new by smelling or tasting. Their inquisitive nature is often adorable but can sometimes lead to trouble – especially for active pets that have a tendency to eat everything they see. It’s up to us to protect them by knowing which varieties of flowers are safe for pets and identifying which ones can be dangerous to our four-legged friends. While many plants will cause nothing more severe than mild digestive upset should they be ingested by pets, some can cause more serious health issues.

Non-toxic choices

Roses are always a safe choice when it comes to choosing flowers for a home with pets. Once their thorns are removed, they are usually harmless to most animals. Gerbera daisies, sunflowers, snapdragons, and alstroemeria are also safe to have around pets, as are orchids and ferns.

Flowers that may be harmful

According to the ASPCA, Lilies (specifically Lilium and Hemerocallis) are considered to be the most dangerous flowers for pets, particularly for cats, and should be avoided if the pets will be left alone with them. Tulips, baby’s breath, birds of paradise, hyacinths, stargazers, carnations, and daisies can also be toxic to pets if they are ingested.

Alternative options

When sending a bouquet or plant as a gift to a pet owner, it’s always best to seek out a “pet-friendly” bouquet.

There are several options to consider when sending flowers to a pet-friendly household. Alstroemerias (Peruvian lilies) can be substituted for other lilies in bouquets, and ferns can be used in place of baby’s breath when accompanying roses or other flowers.

A common organic solution can also be used to deter pets from getting too close to potentially harmful flowers. A mixture of ten drops of citrus essential oil, one cup of water and one teaspoon of cayenne pepper can be sprayed over the flowers and plants and should repel even the most curious pets.

In most cases, pets and flowers can safely co-exist in the same house by taking a few simple precautions. Below are lists of some of the most common “pet-friendly” flowers and also of flowers that are known to be toxic. Click here for a more comprehensive list or contact us for more information.

Pet-friendly flowers and plants:

African daisy
African violet.
Alyssum
Bachelor’s buttons
Celosia
Common Snapdragon
Easter Daisy
Orchids
Peruvian lily
Brazilian lily
Rose

Pants that are considered toxic to both cats and dogs are:

Tulips
Azalea
Bird of Paradise
Aloe
Begonias
Baby’s Breath
Amaryllis.
Easter and stargazer lilies can cause serious kidney problems if ingested by cats

If you would like some more information about keeping your pets safe from certain types of flowers and plants, or for questions about specific varieties, please give us a call at (206) 782-4213 or drop us a line below and one of our talented floral designers will be happy to address any concerns you may have. Ballard Blossom offers same-day delivery to Seattle and surrounding areas. 

Location: 1111 NW 85th St, Seattle, WA 98117, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spring Flowers: The Best Reasons to Send Blooms in April

Image
Spring is a season for new beginnings. And what better way to celebrate than by sending spring flowers from Ballard Blossom in Seattle, WA ? April is full of holidays and special events, and each one offers a unique reason to send blooms. Here are some of our favorite reasons to send April flowers this year along with a few of our favorite flowers for each occasion! Easter - Sunday, April 17 Easter is a time for family, friends, faith, and flowers! But did you know that Easter is the fourth biggest floral holiday of the year? And while it may not get the same recognition as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, or other national holidays, flowers and Easter plants have long played a very important role in Easter and Passover observances. They are synonymous with the holidays in both home decorations and as gifts. Ballard's Skagit Valley Tulips Bouquet Our favorites Easter flower arrangements include Easter lilies, tulips, and daffodils. Lilies are popular symbols of Easter as t
Read more

7 Pro Tips From Your Local Florist for Longer Lasting Flowers

Image
Valentine's Day is just around the corner which means it's time to start thinking about flowers! If you've ever received flowers, you know the feeling of excitement that comes with seeing a beautiful arrangement delivered to your home or office. But what if the joy of receiving flowers could last longer?  Most people know the basics for keeping flowers alive longer: changing the water, keeping it in a cool place, and not leaving them in direct sunlight. But here are a few pro tips from the experienced floral designers at Ballard Blossom in Seattle, WA that will help make your flowers last as long as possible. 1. Choose a clear vase One of the most obvious ways to make roses and other flowers last longer is by using a clear vase with a lot of water. Why clear? Because opaque vases make it much more difficult to monitor the water level - which almost always leads to under-watering and faster perishing flowers. 2. Condition your water (use flower food) Beautiful Love Bouquet
Read more