Toxic flowers to avoid for pets this spring
Spring is finally here, and filling your home with flowers can be tempting - but ingesting certain flowers can lead to severe illness, and veterinary treatment can be expensive. Data from Animal Friends Pet Insurance shows that in 2023, the average cost of treating toxic ingestion in medium-sized dogs was £565.
Catrin George, Animal Wellbeing Specialist at Animal Friends Pet Insurance, warns that lilies, a common choice for Mother’s Day, are especially dangerous. “Lilies are very toxic to dogs and cats and can cause nausea, vomiting and other serious long-term health issues,” she says. “If you do receive a bouquet containing lilies, putting them up and out of reach might not be enough to keep your fur family safe. Cats can certainly get into those hard-to-reach places, and although they may not actively eat the plant, if they brush up against it, getting pollen on their fur and then wash themselves, this can make them very ill.”
Tulips, another springtime favourite, also pose a risk. “Tulips contain molecules known as glycosides which can lead to several health issues in dogs and cats,” Catrin explains. “The bulb is where the highest levels of toxin exist, but the stem, leaves and flowers also contain these glycosides. Even ingesting small amounts can cause vomiting, a change in respiratory rate or even result in death.” Peonies should also be avoided, as they contain paenol, a compound that can cause gastrointestinal distress in dogs.
Daffodils, commonly seen at this time of year, can be particularly harmful. “Daffodils contain alkaloids and glycosides which are highly toxic to both dogs and cats,” says Catrin. “The whole plant is toxic, especially the bulb. If your dog likes to dig in the garden, be extra cautious, as ingestion can quickly cause severe stomach irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and excessive drooling.”
Hyacinths, often found in gardens and homes, contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can be dangerous even if inhaled. “Ingestion of hyacinths, or their bulbs, can cause serious health issues,” Catrin warns. “Typical signs include excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. More severe cases, when larger amounts have been ingested, could see increased heart and respiratory rates or difficulty breathing.”
Catrin advises pet owners to research flowers before gifting them to households with animals. Safe alternatives include orchids, sunflowers, and violets. “Bear in mind that this is not a comprehensive list of flowers which are potentially dangerous for your pet,” she says. “If you are unsure or suspect your pet has ingested one of these toxic flowers, you should contact your vet immediately.”
