Toxic Flowers to Avoid This Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to express love through beautiful bouquets, but not all flowers are as innocent as they seem. Pooch & Mutt is urging the public to think twice before gifting certain flowers to cat or dog owners, as some popular Valentine’s blooms can be highly toxic to pets.

‘Every year, we see cases of pets suffering from poisoning after ingesting flowers their owners didn’t realise were dangerous. Many common flowers gifted on Valentine’s Day, such as lilies, tulips and carnations can be highly toxic to pets, causing anything from mild stomach upset to severe organ failure. 

In my experience, thankfully, most cases are restricted to just a mild stomach upset, or perhaps some red skin around the mouth. 

However, all of my staff have grown to hate Lilies, as they are so highly toxic to cats. Even small amounts can lead to acute kidney disease and death. Sadly, we’ve had several patients pass away from lily exposure over the years. They can even become unwell from grooming off pollen that has fallen on them, or from drinking the vase water. 

Pet owners should always check before bringing new plants into their home.’ says Pooch & Mutt’s Resident Vet Dr. Linda Simon.

Popular Valentine’s flowers to avoid:

Lilies
Tulips
Daisies
Baby’s Breath
Hydrangeas
Anemones
Peonies
Buttercups
Carnations

(Cala lilies and Peruvian lilies (alstroemeria) are not true lilies, so won’t cause kidney failure in cats. However, they contain saponins, so can lead to mouth burning and stomach upset.)

Instead, consider pet-safe alternatives like:

Roses
Orchids
Sunflowers
Gerbera daisies
Freesias.

All of which are non-toxic to cats or dogs.

Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be about unexpected trips to the vet. By choosing pet-friendly flowers, you can make sure your gesture of love doesn’t come with hidden risks.