Pet-friendly flowers: All you need to know
Written by Vanessa Harrison from Floral Jazz
Most of us know that lilies are a no-go for pets, especially for cats, but there is more to it than you might think. Did you know that there are numerous flowers that are considered toxic to pets? Even if they don't cause kidney failure like lilies do, they can still be dangerous.
This month, in celebration of International Cat Day (8th August) and International Dog Day (26th August), I've designed a unique pet-friendly bouquet as an ideal gift for those fellow furry-friend lovers! But whether you're buying for a friend or brightening up your own home with a few fresh stems, it's worth considering what you're buying.
Here are some suggestions to help you. I was particularly surprised that stocks are on the safe list, considering that, like lilies, they are very scented. The good news is, if you like the smell of lilies but have cats, then stocks are a good alternative!
If you have pets, consider some of these safe flowers... antirrhinums, freesias, gerberas, lisianthus, phlox, roses, stocks, sunflowers, veronica and wax flower.
Unfortunately, there are more flowers than you might think on the toxic list, so steer clear of any of the following... agapanthus, alliums, alstroemeria, amaryllis, carnations, chrysanthemums, dahlia, delphiniums, eucalyptus, gypsophila, hydrangeas, lilies, narcissus, peonies and tulips.
Some flowers and plants are considered more toxic than others, depending on the types of toxins they contain. Lilies pollen is known to cause kidney failure, particularly in cats, whilst other flowers may have milder effects, because the toxins, although dangerous, aren't as poisonous.
Having said that, I wouldn't recommend anyone, pet or human, to munch on flowers! Flowers can also contain other chemicals like pesticides, because they get treated during growing. You can source organic flowers of course, and you are more likely to find these from British growers or florists selling British flowers.
The Gracechurch Centre in Sutton Coldfield has recently launched a monthly flower market this year, specialising in British grown flowers, so this could be worth a visit to source organic flowers and chat to the experts to get the best advice.
You may also be considering the plants in your garden as well as indoor flowers, because our pets like to roam the garden as much as the house. Whilst you can't stop your cats from roaming further afield, you can limit the danger of poisoning them by carefully choosing what you plant in the garden. If you have a herb garden, for example, avoid mint. As nice as it smells, it isn't considered safe for your pets.
If you do have flowers indoors, you may also want to consider things from a practical point of view. A tall vase of water may be more likely to get knocked over by a curious pet, but a vase with a lower centre of gravity or an arrangement in floral foam may be a safer option, and will limit the amount of mopping up you end up doing!
Visit the website for more advice and a more comprehensive list of pet friendly flowes.