Non-Toxic Flowers for Dogs + Cats- Pet-Safe Home + Garden

If you have pets and love plants, you are probably on the lookout for non-toxic flowers for dogs (and cats). You may or may not know that several indoor plants are doing more harm than good. This is especially true when it comes to your furry friends. 

Fear not! We will review some beautiful non-toxic plants and flowers that you can enjoy, while not harming your furbaby. As seasoned pet parents and professionals in the pet industry, we’ve had the privilege of being deeply immersed in the world of pet care. Our extensive experience not only comes from nurturing our own beloved pets. It is also from our roles as pet care professionals. 

Additionally, our dedication to pet safety led us to become certified in pet CPR and first aid. This training provides us with invaluable knowledge and skills in handling various pet-related situations. With our combined expertise and passion for pets, we’re committed to sharing valuable insights and resources. We know it is much needed to help fellow pet owners navigate the intricacies of pet care. Let’s not forget that Gerry Arner was International Pet Sitter of the Year. 

Just be aware, that we know this stuff. 

​Households with Dogs and Cats

Recent data from the American Pet Products Association (APPA) reveals that pet ownership in the United States has seen a significant increase. Approximately 70% of American households now include a furry friend. The pandemic has played a role in this uptick. Many individuals turned to pet companionship for solace and entertainment during periods of lockdown and isolation. Being alone, for some, is not an easy situation to be in.

With that statistic, being more aware of poisonous plants is crucial. Having pet-friendly plants has never been more a part of the household discussion, especially for pet and plant lovers. 

5 Non-toxic Flowers for Dogs

Creating a pet-friendly environment extends beyond just the food and toys we provide. As pet owners, we’re constantly looking for ways to ensure our furry companions’ safety and well-being. When it comes to brightening up our homes with plants and flowers, it’s essential to choose blooms that won’t pose a threat to our canine friends.

Luckily, there’s a variety of non-toxic flowers that not only add beauty to our living spaces but also offer peace of mind knowing they’re pet-safe plants. Let’s get to it! We’ll share five non-toxic flowers that you can confidently incorporate into your home without worrying about any adverse effects on your animal companions.

1. Roses

While we are not fond of purchasing flower arrangements, we do love making them ourselves from plants or flowers we have in our yard that are growing. Roses are flowers that grow outside of our home, so naturally, we sometimes want to make an arrangement in a glass jar. Sometimes, it is to celebrate good news. Often, roses are a great addition to our house plants as they can bring some vibrant colors. 

If you love growing roses in your home garden and you have a pet, you can reduce your worry. For us, we have our kitty cartel (a cat colony that has taken up residence in our backyard) and are worried about whether or not the rose bushes presented any potential adverse reaction for them. After much research, we found that they do not. 

However, like most things that are small and colorful, the petals can present a choking hazard. If you have them in your home, or even outdoors, your small puppy or kitten may find them fun to play with and put into their mouth. Any parts of the plant could pose a choking hazard, so be mindful of that. 

It’s a good idea to clean up any fallen petals inside your home. Don’t forget that the thorns can also be a threat, to you and your pet. 

2. Gerbera Daisies

These are some of our faves! These colorful and happy flowers are totally pet-friendly and won’t pose any harm if your furry friends decide to nibble on them a bit. 

Plus, they’re not just pretty to look at – they also double as natural air purifiers. Like other indoor plants, Gerbera daisies work hard to clean the air by filtering out nasty toxins like benzene and formaldehyde. So, not only do these lovely blooms bring a pop of color to your home, but they also help create a fresher and healthier environment for both you and your pets to enjoy.

3. Orchids

We are new orchid owners. It’s sort of a scary world, honestly. It seems like most of our lives we have heard how difficult orchids are to keep alive but here we are, orchid parents, thriving! What we do know is that orchids are a fabulous flower to have in your home because they are pet-friendly flowers. 

We always wanted to have an orchid when we began noticing them in the trees in Key West, Florida. We saw them in various residential trees, and more specifically at the Hemingway House. It got us thinking, these must be safe since there are so many Hemingway cats on the property. Once we did some digging, we found out that yes, they are safe for dogs and cats. 

Like all plants, and just about anything that a dog or cat can come in contact with, consuming large quantities could still lead to mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. Overall, orchids can be a beautiful addition to your home decor without posing a threat to your pets.

3. Sunflowers

Sunflowers are a yearly staple in our garden. If you have the outdoor space, you should definitely plant them. Why? Well, they always bring a smile to your face, and two, they provide a great trellis for vine-growing plants like cucumbers and squash. They can also be great stabilizers for your tomato plants that start leaning. 

Better yet? They are safe for dogs and cats. You can head out in the morning, pluck one or two sunflowers, place them in a fresh glass of water, and voila! Your home or workspace will have a nice bright sunny energy. Sunflowers are among the safe, non-toxic flowers for dogs, so you can enjoy their beauty without any worries.

Need more reasons to love sunflowers? Sunflowers are like nature’s giant daisies, sprouting from seeds in sunny spots. Beyond their stunning appearance, sunflower blossoms play a vital role in attracting birds to your garden, especially in the fall when they transform into a bounty of seeds, offering a feast for our feathered friends. In case you want to know more about this phenomenon, check out our blog post on the Best Organic Insecticide for Your Vegetable Garden. 

So, not only do sunflowers bring joy and brightness to your home, but they also invite a flurry of avian visitors, adding even more life and vitality to your outdoor space.

4. African Violets

We used to have African violets in our home growing up, and, we had an adorable black poodle named, Lebo. Lebo seemed to be able to eat anything though and had an iron stomach. That doesn’t mean that we had all safe things for him. We live and we learn, right?

African violets are perfectly safe for our furry pals, thankfully. These beauties won’t cause any harm to our dogs or cats if they decide to investigate them. Of course, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on things and make sure they don’t munch on too much, as eating a lot could lead to an upset stomach. But overall, African violets are a fantastic addition to our homes, bringing color and cheer without posing any risks to our furry family members.

5. Pansies

If you’re like us, when pansies are in season, we love having them. Why? They are easy. Another reason? They are pet-safe flowers. They don’t make the best cut flowers to have indoors, as they only look good for a day or so but they are fabulous filler flowers in outdoor pots or homes with warm temperatures, they would do well. 

have friends who keep them inside their glass sunroom because it stays warm. They also have a dog and two cats who linger around these plants all the time. It’s picturesque and also safe. Win-win!

Toxic Flowers and Poisonous Plants for Your Pet

Since we talked about the flowers that are non-toxic to have in your home with your furbabies, let’s talk about those that pose a danger to your dog or cat. We cannot list them all here, but we will list some of the common ones that people have. Also included, are those that may be surprising to note that they are a poisonous plant. 

Despite their widespread popularity, pet owners must be aware of the potential dangers these plants pose to dogs and cats.

If you are more interested in this sort of information, a really helpful book is Plants That Kill: A Natural History of the World’s Most Poisonous Plants. It’s sort of scary how plants have intentionally been used in the past to hurt humans and animals. Being aware of the dangers is very helpful.

1. Calla Lilies

Oh, people love a calla lily. Not us. They remind us of funerals. Maybe there is a reason why. 

You may think that these babies light up a room, but when it comes to our pets, we’ve got to be extra careful. Calla lilies are a big no-no for our four-legged friends. They are toxic for both dogs and cats. Calla lilies contain calcium oxalate crystals, and if our pets get their paws on them, it can lead to some pretty nasty symptoms.

Some symptoms to look for are mouth irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting – not fun stuff. And in serious cases, it could even cause difficulty breathing, which is a big concern. Just don’t have them. If there’s any chance they’ve taken a nibble, get them to the vet ASAP!

2. Lily of the Valley

This pretty perennial plant is known for its delicate, bell-shaped flowers and sweet fragrance. Despite its beauty, this plant is highly toxic to both dogs and cats if ingested. Lily of the Valley contains cardiac glycosides, which are compounds that can disrupt the normal function of the heart. 

Even small amounts of lily of the valley can cause severe symptoms in pets, including vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, abdominal pain, and irregular heart rhythm. In severe cases, ingestion of lily of the valley can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, coma, and even death. Due to its toxicity, pet owners should take precautions to prevent their animals from accessing lily of the valley plants both indoors and outdoors. 

3. Oleander

All parts of the oleander plant contain potent toxins, including cardiac glycosides and saponins, making it highly toxic to dogs, cats, and other animals if ingested. Oh, and it is also deadly to humans. The ingestion of even small amounts of oleander leaves, flowers, stems, or sap can lead to severe poisoning and potentially fatal outcomes.

Why have this? You shouldn’t.

4. Azaleas

Here in the south, home of the North Carolina Azalea Festival, these are almost everywhere. They surely are not in our yard though. These flowering shrubs contain toxins called grayanotoxins, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even cardiovascular collapse in pets. Yikes! 

5. Sago Palm

While not a flower, the sago palm seeds are highly toxic to pets, causing liver failure and even death if ingested. We used to have a sago palm, indoors, if you can believe that! It got so big that we moved it outside. We then realized, that after it punctured Shannon’s hand while working around it, she had skin irritation. We did some research nd this plant is not only toxic to pets, but it can be very harmful to humans as well. 

Pretty Doesn’t Mean Safe

It’s important to note that there are many other potentially harmful plants, not included on this list. Various common household plants, garden flowers, and outdoor shrubs can pose risks to pets if ingested. Just because you see a plant or flower that is pretty, doesn’t mean it will be safe for you or your pet. 

Pet owners should research and identify all plants and flowers in their environment to ensure they are providing a safe haven for their furry family members. No matter the toxicity, always keep plants and flowers out of your pet’s reach.

Additionally, always check on any new plant or flower, including a beautiful bouquet as a gift to be sure it is not toxic.

You Can be a Plant Parent and a Pet Parent

Now that we have shared a list of non-toxic flowers, you can take the guesswork out of the pet parent role. You can be both, a pet parent and a plant parent, which is a beautiful thing!

The first step is to make sure that you provide a safe space for your pets. Be sure to put household plants and your pretty flowers out of the reach of pets. This saves all involved a lot of trouble. 

It is also a great way of practicing the prevention of cruelty to animals. After all, it is cruel to have a toxic plant sitting enticing curious cats or playful pups. 

If your pet encounters a toxic plant, or if you believe that they have ingested a plant or flower, always act. You would rather be safe than sorry. It is imperative to act quickly.

You can call the ASPCA Pet Poison Hotline at (888) 426-4435. Just FYI, there are plenty of pet poison helpline numbers out there, and most will require you to pay a consultation fee. You may also call your local emergency veterinarian and discuss your pet’s situation.

There are instances where you would not want to automatically induce vomiting, as some chemicals or toxins can cause even more damage as they come back through the intestinal tract or esophagus if regurgitated.

It is always wise to have a Pet First Aid Kit in your home that you create yourself, or purchase. We love the Adventure Trail Dog First Aid Medical Kit. Of course, a first aid kit should never replace veterinary care.

You may also enjoy reading about the Best Gifts for Dogs (and Cats), including pet parents!

It’s also important to consider things like organic mulch to make your garden and your pets safer!

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions