Some plants and cut flowers can actually be toxic to dogs, causing symptoms such as swelling of the mouth, vomiting, trembling, loss of coordination, seizures, difficulty breathing, or even death.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t ever decorate your place with indoor plants or accept a gift of flowers from a friend. Before you bring home a nice flower arrangement or new houseplant, you just need to make sure it’s on the list of flowers and plants that are safe for dogs.
Flowers That Are Safe for Dogs
Some safe flowers for dogs include:
- Alstroemeria
- Asters
- Gerber Daisies
- Orchid
- Roses
- Snapdragon
- Statice
- Sunflowers
HouseplantsThat Are Safe for Dogs
Here a few plants that are safe for dogs:
Ferns:
Herbs:
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Lemon Balm
- Rosemary
- Sage
Perennials:
- African Violet
- Aluminum Plant (aka Watermelon plant)
- Bamboo
- Friendship Plant
- Spider Ivy (aka Spider Plant)
- Swedish Ivy
Succulents:
- Blue Echeveria (aka Wax Rosette, Painted Lady)
- Christmas Cactus
- Haworthia
- Hens and Chickens
Palms:
- Areca Palm
- Dwarf Date Palm
- Dwarf Palm (aka Good Luck Palm, Bamboo Palm, Parlor Palm)
- Lady Palm
Why Do Dogs Eat Plants and Flowers?
Pets are curious, so it’s not unlikely that they would try to munch on plants or flowers that you bring into the home.
“Exposure of dogs and cats to household plants occurs commonly, especially with younger animals that tend to be very inquisitive. Some plants are extremely toxic to our pets,” says Dr. David Dorman, DVM and professor of Toxicology at North Carolina State University of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Dorman says, “It’s important to remember that your pet cannot distinguish between safe-to-eat plants and those that are dangerous. The key to preventing poisonings in your pets is to prevent exposure.” Thus, don’t bring poisonous plants into the home with cats and dogs, period.
What to Do If You Suspect That Your Dog Ate a Toxic Plant or Flower
Plants that are considered dangerous for dogs can cause a range of symptoms—some much more serious than others.
If you’re concerned that your pet has ingested a poisonous plant or flower, or they’re showing symptoms of poisoning, contact your veterinarian, or theASPCAAnimal Poison Control Centerat 888-426-4435,or thePet Poison Helplineat855-764-7661immediately.
Before you add eco-friendly décor to your home, do your research to keep your pets safe.
Image via iStock.com/Cunaplus_M.Faba
FAQs
Rose petals, violets, sunflower petals, pansies, snapdragons, and some marigolds can all be eaten raw, by dogs and people. A word of caution: it's essential to make sure your flowers aren't treated with insecticides, fungicides, or weed-killers, as those are poisons that can cause you and your dog serious harm.
What potted flowers are safe for dogs? ›
Snapdragons, dahlias, and marigolds are just a few beautiful pet-safe flowers that make great additions to your home and garden. Two of the very best things that life has to offer are the companionship of our pets and the wide variety of flowers and plants we can turn to when color and aroma therapy are needed.
What landscape plants are safe for dogs? ›
There are a lot of gorgeous options for plants and trees when planning a dog-friendly landscape. Some of my favorites are camellias, magnolias, Japanese maples, bamboo, bottlebrush, ornamental grasses, sunflowers, organically grown edible herbs, crape myrtle, lavender, echinacea, fuchsia, pansy, and petunia.
What plants are safe for dogs to eat? ›
Mint and lemon balm: Can help to aid digestion and some would say that it is energising to sniff and chew on. Wheatgrass: Super easy to grow and can help to boost energy levels when digested. Pansies: Dogs can see in blues and yellows, so pansies provide great visual stimulation for them.
Is lavender toxic to dogs? ›
Lavender contains linalool, a compound toxic to pets, including dogs. However, while linalool is toxic to dogs in large amounts, toxicity in dogs is rarer than it is in cats. That being said, dogs can become poisoned by eating a large amount of lavender from the plant or essential oils.
Are marigolds safe for dogs? ›
After all, dogs are notorious for digging things up—and some plants are highly toxic to them. So, if you love the looks of a marigold, but you're worried about your pup—the good news is that it's completely fine to plant. Marigolds are mildly irritating to dogs, both internally and dermally, but they are non-toxic.
Are impatiens safe for dogs? ›
New Guinea Impatiens and Dog Safety
Unlike some houseplants that come with a laundry list of health warnings for pets, these colorful blooms are scientifically recognized as non-toxic to dogs.
Are petunias safe for dogs? ›
Petunias are the safe bet in the canine world. Unlike other plants that may contain harmful toxins, petunias lack these dangerous compounds. They're essentially benign to dogs, making them a worry-free choice for pet-friendly gardens.
Are begonias safe for dogs? ›
Begonia. Although its most toxic parts are underground, it's still best to keep begonias out of reach of your pets. They cause vomiting in dogs and cats and can be even more dangerous for horses and grazing animals.
Are zinnias safe for dogs? ›
Zinnias are generally not toxic to dogs, but they can cause mild stomach upset. Here's what to do: Remove any plant material from your dog's mouth, if possible. Offer water to help wash down any ingested parts and to keep your dog hydrated.
Toxicity to pets
Hostas contain saponins, bitter tasting phytochemicals that lead to gastrointestinal distress following ingestion. Vomiting and diarrhea are common clinical signs, but lethargy and anorexia may also occur. Veterinary treatment is not necessary for pets with mild signs that resolve rapidly.
Are geraniums safe for dogs? ›
Geranium: (Pelargonium spp) All parts of geraniums are poisonous to both dogs and cats. Also present in summer. Hyacinth: (Hyacinthus orientalis) The bulbs are poisonous to both cats and dogs. Hydrangea: (Hydrangea) Bulbs are toxic to both cats and dogs as they contain cyanide.
What flowers are safe for dogs to eat? ›
Gerbera daisies and the blue-eyed African daisy are pet-safe options.
Are hydrangeas safe for dogs? ›
Hydrangeas Are Toxic To Dogs
"The toxic component of the hydrangea plant is a cyanogenic glycoside." Chewing plants with this compound causes cyanide to be released. The leaves, buds, flowers, and bark all contain the toxin, so if your dog munches any part of your hydrangeas, he could get sick.
Are daisies safe for dogs? ›
The daisy family is among the largest plant family, with over 600 species and thousands of subtypes. The consumption of one or two daisies will usually not harm your pup, but eating a large amount of daisies could be enough to cause vomiting, drooling, and even muscle spasms or convulsions.
Are any flowers poisonous to dogs? ›
Azalea, buttercups, chrysanthemums, gardenias, gladiolas, hibiscus, hyacinth, hydrangeas, mums, primroses, rhododendrons, and sweet peas are popular garden items that are poisonous. That's just another good reason to keep your dogs away from your neighbor's award-winning flower bushes.
What type of flour can dogs have? ›
Best Flour for Dog Treats
- Almond flour. At The Dog Chef I'm very fond of almond flour. ...
- Tapioca flour. Like almond flour, tapioca flour is both grain and gluten-free. ...
- Buckwheat flour. Buckwheat is a pseudograin. ...
- Oat flour. ...
- Coconut flour. ...
- Best flour for dog treats.
True Forget-Me-Not, while enchanting to the eye, harbors a hidden danger for our canine friends. This plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, compounds that are toxic to dogs. These alkaloids can wreak havoc on a dog's liver, leading to weight loss, poor health, and in severe cases, liver disease.
Are petunias safe around dogs? ›
Petunias are the safe bet in the canine world. Unlike other plants that may contain harmful toxins, petunias lack these dangerous compounds. They're essentially benign to dogs, making them a worry-free choice for pet-friendly gardens.
