The taste and scent of any flower can be deceiving to a dog and cat when the flower tastes good. Naturally, the pet will continue to eat the flower despite the poisonous content. There is a high toxicity in the Easter lily, morning glories, buttercups, oleander, tulips, lily of the valley, and Christmas roses, Mistletoe, marigold, creeping Charlie, Ivy (all varieties), red lily, azaleas are just a few of the toxic plants. Morning glories have a high toxicity level which causes hallucinations, possible seizures, stomach upset that can lead to death. All parts of the oleander flower are very poisonous causing instant death.
The safe plants for dogs are most:
- Ferns
- African Violets
- Orchid
- Zinnia
- Bamboo
- Gerbera daisy
The safe plants for cats are:
- Ferns
- Spider Plant
- Grape Ivy
- Sunflower
- Snapdragon
- Magnolia miniature roses
- Cape Primrose
The Christmas cactus, Christmas orchid, yucca plant, gardenia, jade plant, cornflower, blue daisy tend to be safe for pets except for mild ingestion, diarrhea and vomiting if eaten. Since the plants are non-toxic, it is not necessary to seek veterinary treatment. The Poison Control Center will instruct an owner how to induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide.
Edible Flowers
There is a wide range of safe edible plants for pets to eat and enjoy with plenty of taste.
- Carnations (pink petals)
- Johnny-Jump-Up
- Petunias
- Dandelions
- Hollyhocks
- Impatiens
- Pineapple Sage
- Pansies
- Nasturtiums
- Hibiscus Flowers
- Geraniums (except the Pelargonium)
Every edible flower a dog eats is high in vitamins and nutrition producing a shinier coat and fewer allergies. If the edible flowers are grown organically then the flowers are safe. Pets like the mint-flavoured pansy and the lemony taste of lavender which has many culinary uses. Lavender makes great aromatherapy products and dog treats. Lavender is one of the most popular edible flowers today in the pet industry. The unique combinations of lavender-blueberry, rose petals-rose geranium, and pineapple sage-orange peel make tasty dog treats. The edible flower dog treats have introduced pet owners to an alternative healthier lifestyle with greater benefits. The dog lavender treats can create a calmer disposition and the cat lavender treats provide protein and vitamins. A variety of pet shops, pet specialty shops, and the internet sell organic dog and cat treats. Most cities have pet bakeries now where organic treats are sold with a menu of flavours.
Safety Net
Pet owners need to educate themselves about the toxic and non toxic plants. When a pet owner is extra cautious about a pet, fewer problems will occur. Pet owners need to build a safety net for their pets so they can live a long healthy life.
We would really like to use this information in our upcoming book called Petscaping, to be released this Fall by Schiffer Publishing. Please contact me as soon as possible; we need your written permission to proceed.
I work as a training specialist of carers of young children. One of our carers has a variety of branches hanging above the science area to make the area look more inviting. One of the things she chose was a box hedge branch, complete with leaves attached. Since the children are only 2 years old and the leaves could drop off, I wanted to make sure box plants are safe for children. I believe the latin name for this species is (buxus), I would like to know if you can validate that box plants are safe for children. Thanks, Cheryl
Is it safe for my dog to eat the miniature wild violets in our yard. He’s done this ever since we got him (from a puppy) and he’s never had any problems, but I’d just like to know if they are safe for him. Thank You, Caitlin
Hello, I am planning a summer camp for kids whose focusis on gommunity gardening. Vegetables and flowers will be grown throughout the summer. Please can you kindly provide me resources on safety tips for kids. What kind of interesting activities could you recommend for me to engage the kids in to promote safe gardening practices? I would greatly appreciate your response. Thanks. Funky.
Is it safe for my chickens’ to eat FERNS in the garden
Hi. I’ve read that tulips and daffodils are toxic to cats but that its the bulb that’s the poisonous part. Does that mean that if I buy tulips and daffodils as cut flowers to have in a vase at home they are safe for my cats to be around? I hope so as I love those two flowers but love my cats more and wouldn’t want to have anything that could be dangerous to them if they were to chew on it. Thanks.
I have read different pages on the hibiscus flower my cat at what is known as a disco bell hibiscus flower it is a perennial out doors plant with a large dinner plate size flower she is now acting strange read on the this web sight that the flower is non toxic but there are the small variety with a small flower and a large flower are they the same ?
We have a very mischievous puppy who has already dug up, eaten and had induced vomiting from my flower bed! I need some pretty but safe flowers to plant….help please!
I want to grow Hollyhocks in my garden. Are they a non-toxic flower? We have a dog.