How to Choose Pet Safe Flowers for Your Home

Fresh flowers are one of the best and simplest gifts you can give. But failing to consider the risks some plants pose to household pets can turn a kind gesture into a nightmare.

Many flowers are safe for pets, and many pets will barely pay attention to a new plant in the house. However, if the house has a curious animal that likes to explore every new addition to its territory, it’s vital to ensure any plant entering the home is completely safe.

This guide will walk you through the most important considerations when buying flowers for a home with pets. We’ll highlight popular animal-safe flowers commonly used in florist designs, and help you confidently choose an arrangement that is both safe and thoughtful.

Why Pet Safety Matters When Choosing Flowers

Pets interact with their environment differently than we do. Dogs and cats are both known for occasionally nibbling on stems and leaves or even taking a swipe at a blooming flower. 

Even the smallest amount of the wrong plant can lead to irritation or more serious health troubles. That’s why it’s important to think beyond appearance when choosing flowers.

Professional florists are familiar with which plant varieties are safe for pets. Hiring a professional can ease your concerns when choosing an arrangement – whether it’s for yourself or for a different household with pets.

Popular Pet Safe Options

It’s easy to think that options for pet-safe flowers are severely limited, but that’s not the case. Many popular and widely available flowers are considered safe and are regularly used in professional arrangements.

Some of the most common pet-safe options include roses, sunflowers, snapdragons, and orchids. These flowers make for vibrant, seasonal arrangements that avoid introducing unnecessary risk.

That said, it’s still important to discourage pets from chewing on arrangements, even if the plants are considered pet-safe. Just because a plant is considered pet-safe doesn’t mean it’s intended for consumption. However, you can still feel more confident in your pet’s safety when accidental consumption occurs if all the plants in the house are pet-safe.

Flowers Pet Owners Should Avoid

While we can’t cover every single toxic plant in existence, there are a few commonly used flowers that pet owners should stay away from at the florist.

One of the most crucial examples to avoid is the lily. These are highly popular in Spring and Summer, but they are known to be highly toxic to cats. Since these flowers are so popular, you should be especially careful to avoid them when buying flowers off the shelf. They are inexpensive and common, so many flower stores include them in their pre-made seasonal bouquets. Keep a close eye out for them in Spring and Summer, and always ask a florist if a bouquet contains lilies whenever you’re in doubt.

Many varieties of greens are unsafe for pets. Because greens look so similar and because they usually are not the centerpiece of a bouquet, they can often be overlooked or mistaken for safe plants. Instead of trying to memorize and recognize all the different greens that you should or shouldn’t have around pets, you should save time by consulting a florist. If you let the florist know up front that you want a pet-safe arrangement, they can assemble something beautiful using greens that you will not have to worry about.

As always, clear communication with your florist is key. If you make it clear from the beginning that pets are a concern for you, your florist will have no trouble picking flowers and greens that are totally safe.

Practical Tips for Pet-Friendly Flower Placement

Choosing the right plants is only part of the equation. Where and how you display your arrangement in a home with pets is equally important.

Even if your arrangement is pet safe, it’s a good idea to place it in an area that is less accessible to pets. Elevated surfaces like dining tables, kitchen islands, or shelves can help reduce temptation. Of course, cats and some dogs can be very good at getting to things they shouldn’t touch. Regardless of this, you should still try your best to keep animals away from plants – even if it’s just to keep the arrangement looking nice.

Conclusion

Living with pets doesn’t mean you have to give up on having fresh flowers in your home. It just means being more intentional with your choices. With so many pet-friendly options for flowers and greenery, you can enjoy excellent floral designs without the worry.

The key is working with a florist who understands your needs and can guide you toward the best options. If you live in the Pittsburgh area and want to bring flowers into your home – or send a thoughtful gift to someone else – visit our website or stop by our shop in person. Our florists are standing by to help you create something beautiful that both you and your pets can safely enjoy.