Two things that make us extremely happy and reduces our stress in an instant are our loving pets and beautiful, fresh flowers. It’s well known that pets provide companionship and can reduce stress, what may be less known, though are the numerous benefits of fresh flowers. Flowers also have mood-boosting and calming effects on us. So, having both pets and flowers is a winning combination. It’s important, though, to keep our pets safe by having plants and flowers in our homes that are pet-friendly. Luckily, the floral experts at Rose Bud Flowers, Mobile’s top flower shop, have put together a list of popular, gorgeous blooms that are safe for pets.
Safe Flowers for Pets
Roses
The rose is classic, popular, beloved, and cherished by nearly every culture in the world. Such a gorgeous and sweetly-scented bloom is featured in most flower arrangements. We adore roses for all these things and because they are also pet-friendly.
Gerbera Daisies
A radiant bloom with a broad face and vivid colors, the Gerbera Daisy is joyful and bright. Another popular bloom found in numerous arrangements, the Gerbera Daisy is pet-friendly.
Sunflowers
A bright and joyful flower, the sunflower captures the essence of summer. Place a vase of sunflowers on your kitchen table or any other room and see how much brighter it becomes. The sunflower is safe for pets and spreads warmth and joy through the home.
Snapdragons
Growing out of the top portion of tall stalks, the delicate and lovely blooms of the snapdragon bring volume and a burst of color to any arrangement. Snapdragons are safe for pets and look great in a vase on their own, too.
Orchid
The orchid plant is exotic, graceful, and sophisticated and some people go crazy over them. With their dramatic blooms in rich colors and intriguing patterns, it’s easy to understand why. Orchid lovers will rejoice to know that orchids are pet-friendly, so it’s ok to buy another one.
Pansies
A small flower with a lot of charm, pansies come in a wide range of colors for you to choose from. Pansies are pet-safe and actually edible. People love to decorate cakes with pansies or use their slightly fragrant petals in drinks.
Zinnias
For a burst of color and volume, pick some Zinnias out of your garden or get some from a florist. These delightful flowers are round in shape and have numerous petals which give them a voluminous look. Zinnias are safe for pets and look great paired with other zinnias in a vase.
Signs of Poisoning in Pets
There will be times when you have a gorgeous bloom or two in your home that may not be safe for pets, (we’re looking at you dahlias and peonies!), so it’s important to use common sense and keep toxic flower and plants away from your pets. Place flowers on the kitchen window sill or a high shelf. Or, keep them in an area that is cordoned off to your pets. If you think your pet has ingested a toxic plant or flower, or some other toxic substance, look for signs of poisoning such as vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, excessive drooling, dehydration, and bleeding gums. Normally, when a pet consumes something that doesn’t agree with them, it will resolve itself within a few days. However, if you notice one or more of the above-listed conditions for more than 24 hours, take your pet to the vet as soon as possible. For a complete list of plants and flowers that are toxic to cats and dogs, visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website.
