A general rule of thumb when you bring flowers home and your animals immediately want to investigate: Paws off! Or to be more precise, Jaws off!
Being a cat owner, I know it can be a challenge, but don’t let cats and dogs ingest parts (petals, leaves, roots, etc.) of any plant. Making a point to keep your bouquet in a spot that’s not easily accessible by Fluffy and Fido will make life easier for your entire household.
Another tip: Familiarize yourself with which blooms are safe for pets and which could be toxic.
For that info, I consulted several pages of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' web site aspca.org and compiled the lists below.
For a more extensive list of toxic plants, visit: aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_toxicplants.
The nontoxic plant list appears at: aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_nontoxicplants. And if there is a flower you’re wondering about (ie you don’t see it on either list) check with your vet. Or drop me an e-mail and I will try to find out.
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Orchids are a great choice if you have pets or are sending a floral bouquet to a pet owner.
Safe flowers for pets
African violet
Asters
Camellia
Canna lilies (Most lilies are toxic but these are not of the Lilium genus.)
Common snapdragon, Garden snapdragon
Cornflower
Hollyhock
Jasmine
Orchids
Pot marigold
Summer hyacinth
Common flowers to avoid
Azalea
Baby’s breath
Chrysanthemum
Cyclamen
Daisies
Lilies, including calla lily
Oleander
Rhododendron
Also: Potted Amaryllis, Tulips and Narcissus/Daffs (The bulbs are the most toxic.)
Flower Fact of the Day: Does your garden lack energy? Find out how to spice it up from master gardener Marty Wingate, writing in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nwgardens/370997_wingate17.html.