The 6 popular flowers in your Mother's Day bouquet that could be deadly to your dog
Some of the most popular spring flowers could be dangerous to our dogs 🌼
- Mother’s Day is this weekend, with many of us planning to surprise our mum with flowers.
- However, some of the most popular bouquets could be dangerous for our dogs.
- Dr Brendan Clarke, Chief Veterinary Advisor at Bella and Duke, has advised which flowers are safe this Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day is right around the corner, with many of us treating our mum to a flower bouquet or a potted plant.
These popular gifts for our mother figures may look pretty, but for households that have dogs, they can potentially be dangerous, with some of the most popular spring flowers and bulbs so toxic that they could send your pup to the vets or even lead to death.
To help you know what flowers aren’t safe, Dr Brendan Clarke, Chief Veterinary Advisor at Bella and Duke, has outlined popular spring flowers that are toxic to dogs and safe alternatives.
What flowers are toxic to dogs?
Despite looking beautiful, some bouquets can contain flowers that could be deadly to your dog. Dr Clarke has shared the six popular spring flowers you shouldn’t give to your mum this Mother’s Day if she has a dog.
Dr Clarke said: “Stay away from bouquets that have any of the flowers mentioned - most importantly, lilies. If you do receive any bouquets with lilies in them, then make sure you remove the stamens to reduce the risk of pets ingesting the pollen. If you are gifting chocolates, make sure they stay out of reach of dogs; these are also potentially toxic if ingested.”
Lilies
Popular for Mother’s Day bouquets, lilies are toxic for our pooches. It’s important to know all parts of the plant are poisonous, including the pollen, which can brush onto your pet's coat as they pass the flower, and be ingested when they lick their coat.
If eaten, your dog may display symptoms ranging from an irritated mouth to vomiting and diarrhoea and in severe cases can be fatal.
Daffodils
A popular symbol of spring, daffodils can cause pets gastrointestinal upset as well as mouth pain. While all parts of the plant are toxic, the bulbs are the most toxic as they have a higher concentration of the toxins, leading to acute vomiting. Be aware that the toxin can leak into water in vases, so ensure your dog also doesn’t drink this water.
Tulips
Whilst the flower itself is dangerous, like daffodils, the bulbs of tulips are the most dangerous as they contain the highest concentration of toxins. Ingestion can lead to drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, and in severe cases, increased heart rate and difficulty breathing.
Bluebells
Bluebells are often found on spring woodland walks. Be careful that your dog doesn’t sniff them out and digest them whilst roaming, these flowers contain glycosides, which slow down and disrupt the heart rate. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, cardiac arrhythmias and abdominal pain.
Crocus plant
Crocus is toxic to dogs; in fact, all parts, including the bulbs, seeds, and flowers, are dangerous. Your dog digesting this on a walk in the park or playing in the garden could cause immediate symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, and tummy pain.
Hyacinths
Hyacinths are one of the most popular spring flowers. Whilst all of the plant is toxic, the bulb is particularly toxic. They can cause severe tissue irritation in the mouth and tummy, and severe vomiting and diarrhoea.
What are the signs your dog has eaten something toxic?
The symptoms dogs display will vary, depending on the type of flower they’ve eaten and the quantity. Symptoms your dog may have ingested spring flowers or bulbs can include:
- Irritation in the mouth
- Pawing at their mouth
- Lack of appetite
- Excessive thirst
- Breathing difficulties
- Skin irritation
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Irregular heartbeat
Dr Clarke said: “If your pet has eaten any flowers or bulbs and you know they are dangerous, then it’s best to get in contact with your vet straight away.”
What plants are dog-friendly?
There are plenty of dog-friendly flower options to give your mum this Mother’s Day. Dr Clarke advises pet owners to consider roses with the thorns removed, marigolds, sunflowers, snapdragons or dahlias. Or consider gifting a seasonal outdoor flower or house plant such as ferns, camellias, rosemary, hydrangea, Boston fern, spider plant, orchids or Chinese money plants.
It’s not just flowers that could be bad for your dog’s health; keeping up with their dental hygiene is important too. Find out how often you should be brushing your dog’s teeth.