How to pick a dog-safe bouquet this Valentine’s Day

    dog safe flowers

This Valentine’s Day, show your pet your love with a dog-safe bouquet. Dogs are naturally curious, and flowers can sometimes be irresistible to them—but not all flowers are safe for dogs! Luckily, there are Valentine's flowers not toxic to dogs that your special someone will love, too!

 

Valentine’s Day flowers safe for your dog

Although it’s tempting to simply put the vase in an out-of-reach place, falling petals or leaves still give your dog a chance to munch. So, the best way to protect your dog from toxic trouble is to ensure that all bouquets that enter your home are dog-safe.

For a worry-free day, opt for dog-safe flowers for Valentine’s Day, like:

• freesias

• Gerbera daisies

• Limonium

• lisianthus

• Madagascar jasmine

• orchids

• roses (watch out for thorns!)

• snapdragons

• stock

• sunflowers

• waxflowers

These gorgeous blossoms not only make for a stunning bouquet but also ensure your dog can safely coexist with your floral display. Choosing dog-safe flowers for Valentine’s Day will show your love for both your special someone and your furry companion.

Flowers that are toxic to dogs

When selecting flowers, it's essential to ask: What flowers are toxic to dogs? Unfortunately, many popular Valentine’s blooms can pose serious risks to your dog’s health. Toxic flowers can cause anything from mild irritation to fatal conditions if ingested. Some flowers not safe for dogs include:

• Amaryllis

• azaleas

• buttercups (Ranunculus)

• chrysanthemums

• daffodils

• gladiolus

• hydrangeas

• irises

• lilies, including Easter lilies, daylilies, Asiatic lilies and Japanese show lilies

• lily of the valley*

• oleander

• peonies

*Lily of the valley deserves an extra special mention since it can cause serious heart damage to dogs. In fact, eating just a small amount can lead to a dangerous drop in their heart rate, an irregular heartbeat and even death.

Double-check arrangements and if any of the above flowers are in your bouquet, give them the boot!

Don’t see your chosen flowers on these lists? Check out a comprehensive lineup of plants on the ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List.

 

VCA clients can also access free 24/7 Live Chat* through the myVCA™ app, where our licensed veterinary professionals are always ready to answer your health and safety questions. >>

*Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple's App Store and Google Play.