When buying a bouquet of flowers for someone special (or even for ourselves), we usually put a lot of thought into it. We take the occasion, the time of year, the receiver’s personality and taste, and the budget into account. And whether they’re destined for an office or someone’s home, we want those flowers to brighten everyone’s day.
However, we often forget to consider how friendly those flowers will be to our furry friends. And so today we’re going to talk about what makes the purr-fect cat-friendly bouquet and, more importantly, what should be paws-itively avoided.
But first, a bit of background.
Why is it important to choose cat-friendly flowers?
While cats are renowned for their nine lives and the ability to always land on their feet, we don’t recommend putting these notions to the test. So if you have a cat, or you’re sending flowers to a cat owner, you need to make sure your bouquet doesn’t include any flowers that will put the animal at risk.
Cats are very curious, and have a talent for reaching items and objects we thought were out of reach. Feline fans have learned the hard way that keeping knickknacks and doodads away from their prying paws is no easy feat. And so while putting your flowers on a high shelf or dresser will make it harder to admire them, it may not be enough to dampen kitty’s resolve to investigate.
And if a cat manages to get into an arrangement that isn’t cat-friendly, it could make them very sick.
It could even prove fatal.
Examples of cat-friendly flowers
According to the ASPCA, these are all considered cat-friendly flowers.
- Roses
- Gerbera daisies
- Sunflowers
- Orchids
- Snapdragons
- Freesias
- Limonium
- Madagascar jasmine
- Stock
- Waxflower
- Lisianthus
But that doesn’t mean they should be part of kitty’s diet. While they may not be lethal to our feline friends, ingesting small quantities can still cause some gastrointestinal upset. So be careful.
The not-so-friendly cat flowers to watch out for
If you have a cat (or the person you’re giving the flowers to does), make sure the arrangement doesn’t include any of these flowers.
- Azaleas and rhododendrons
- Chrysanthemums
- Daffodils
- Ivy
- Hyacinths
- Hydrangeas
- Lilys
- Peace lilies
- Tulips
(Note: This isn’t an exhaustive list, which is why you should try and keep kitty away from all bouquets, just in case.)
If you suspect a cat has eaten any of these flowers, dispose of them immediately and contact your local veterinarian as soon as possible. Symptoms to watch out for include:
- vomiting
- difficulty breathing
- drooling
- irregular heartbeat
- diarrhea,
- excessive drinking or urinating.
How to send cat-friendly flowers
To ensure your flowers are cat-safe, why not pick out a ready-made bouquet that includes only flowers on our safe list? Or order a Designer’s Choice bouquet and tell us in the notes that it’s going to a household with a cat.
Failing that, why not give the gift that keeps on giving? Check out our list of pet-friendly plants.