Flowers and Pets, The Unseen Dangers

We all love flowers, and we certainly all love our pets, but it's so easy to forget that sometimes they don't mix well. To make things easy for you I've created this quick guide of toxic flowers for our beloved pets.

The important thing to remember is that we all make mistakes when it comes to caring for our little loves, and you will never find judgement here. Sometimes it's hard to know everything and all you can do is handle things as best you can and learn from it.

Today I made a little flower crown for my boy, Teddy, using Sweet Peas. I thought it would be a cute little project, and all was going adorably until he decided to munch down on the crown and I discovered that they are, in fact, toxic.

So, it happens to everyone, and I'm here to make things a little bit easier for you.

I've tried to make this list as comprehensive as possible so a lot of different references were used, if you have any questions please do ask, (plants in red can be fatal).

If your pet consumes anything on this list please keep a close eye on them and contact your vet for advice, this is just a guide to help you remain informed and should not be taken as medical advice.

Sweet Peas (Dogs)

Be aware of stomach upsets, and nervous system changes.

Alliums (Dogs)

Can cause damage to red blood cells causing Anaemia

Azaleas and Rhododendrons (Neurotoxin) (Dogs)

Vomiting and difficulty breathing

Bergenia (Dogs)

Irritation, difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue leading to suffocation

Bleeding Heart (Dogs)

Vomiting and convulsions

Delphinium (Dogs)

Constipation, heart failure, and muscle receptor inhibition

Foxglove (Dogs)

Severe heart problems

Lily

Kidney failure (Cats)

Gastrointestinal distress (Dogs)

Tulip (Cats and Dogs)

Oral irritation, excessive drooling, nausea, vomiting

Hydrangea (Cats and Dogs)

Vomiting, diarrhoea, and lethargy

Chrysanthemum (Cats and Dogs)

Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, and skin irritation

Carnation (Cats and Dogs)

Mild gastrointestinal upset, skin irritation

Daffodil (Cats and Dogs)

Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, cardiac arrhythmias

Iris (Cats and Dogs)

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea

Gypsophila (Cats and Dogs)

Vomiting, diarrhoea

Lily of the Valley (Cats and Dogs)

Diarrhoea, vomiting

Autumn Crocus (Cats and Dogs)

Causes renal issues and organ failure

Laurel (Cats and Dogs)

Gastrointestinal distress, respiratory paralysis, and breathing difficulties

Bluebell (Dogs)

Dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhoea, trembling, lethargy, reduced heart rate

Hyacinth (Cats and Dogs)

Vomiting, drooling, tremors

Wisteria Seed Pods (Dogs)

No initial symptoms so seek immediate help

Amaryllis (Cats)

Vomiting, changes in blood pressure, tremors, seizures

Gladioli (Cats)

Vomiting, diarrhoea

Peony (Cats and Dogs)

Vomiting, diarrhoea, coordination problems

Alstroemeria (Cats)

Gastrointestinal upset, skin irritation

Eryngium (Cats)

Vomiting

Sweet William (Cats)

Gastrointestinal upset

Hellebore (Dogs)

Gastrointestinal upset

Hypericum Berries (Dogs)

Vomiting, diarrhoea, photosensitization, and lethargy

Mistletoe Berries (Dogs)

Vomiting, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, wobbly walking, abnormal heart rates, seizures.

Bupleurum (Cats and Dogs)

Mild stomach upset

Campanula (Cats and Dogs)

Mild stomach upset

Solidago (Cats and Dogs)

Mild stomach upset

Astrantia (Cats and Dogs)

Mild stomach upset

Clematis (Cats and Dogs)

Vomiting, diarrhoea, lack of appetite, general weakness, lethargy, drooling, blistering, skin redness

Craspedia (Cats and Dogs)

Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling

Eucalyptus (Cats and Dogs)

Vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, confusion, muscle tremors, seizures

Lavender (Cats and Dogs)

Vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, (cats) -toxin build-up, lethargy, tremors, breathing difficulties

Ranunculus (Cats and Dogs)

Drooling, foaming at the mouth, painful blisters or ulcers on the tongue, lips, and gums, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, wobbly gate

Solomio Dianthus (Cats and Dogs)

Mild gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea, dermatitis, mouth irritation

Aconitum (Cats and Dogs)

A lethal neurotoxin which is extremely poisonous to pets causing vomiting, heart rhythm issues, and paralysis.

Arum and Calla Lilies (Cats and Dogs)

Burning of irritation of the tongue, lips, and mouth, drooling, foaming mouth, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, diarrhoea, swelling of the throat blocking airways

Climbing Lily (Cats and Dogs)

Severe bloody vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, excessive drooling, shock, weakness, loss of appetite, multi-system organ failure, seizures

Poinsettia (Cats and Dogs)

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea

Ivy (Dogs)

Skin irritation

Holly Berries (Dogs)

Vomiting, diarrhoea

Laburnum (Cats and Dogs)

Vomiting, drooling, diarrhoea, weakness, shaking, loss of coordination, seizures, rapid breathing

Lupine (Cats and Dogs)

Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, loss of appetite, tremors, lack of coordination, convulsions, difficulty breathing, slow heartbeat

Asparagus Fern (Cats and Dogs)

Vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, blisters, skin rash