Don't Let That Heartfelt Bouquet of Cheer Turn Foul
Be sure to send kid and pet safe floral arrangements this season.
“Mom, I’m here,” I announced loudly as I opened the door to my elderly mother’s apartment. She didn’t respond immediately, but rustling in the kitchen caught my attention. I turned the corner to see what she was doing and was greeted instead by a three-month old kitten with two feet in the toaster (which was thankfully unplugged). A well-meaning relative thought it wise to adopt a kitten for my mom as a companion. The little gray tabby had been deposited into the fifth-floor, balcony apartment with no transition plan for safety and no kitten-friendly accommodations. On the kitchen island across from the toaster was a vibrant bouquet of flowers of which nearly all were toxic to cats.
My mom is thrilled when the doorbell rings and a delivery person hands her a colorful surprise. I enjoy the photos she sends me of the wildly creative arrangements from the shop down the street to whom I give carte blanche to “design as they may” within my price range. The same shop has since tagged my mom’s account as “pet safe” so future deliveries consider the kitten’s safety alongside beauty.
For all they’ve done to accommodate my requests, there is nothing on their website that identifies pet or kid safe flowers for others who order from their store. I have yet to walk into a flower shop or floral department of a grocery store to see a display tagged as kid or pet safe. I’ve never been asked by any florist if young kids or pets are in the home where the flowers are to be delivered.
Pets and humans, both part of the animal kingdom and with similar biological systems, are often impacted by the same toxins found in hundreds of flowers and houseplants. Below are some names of flowers used for arrangements that are common to the U.S. They may be known by other names elsewhere, and other flowers may be more commonly used than what is shown below.
While the following image from ASPCA illustrates pet-safe flowers for Mother’s Day, many of the same flowers arranged in hues of red, orange, gold, and white could be used for fall and winter celebrations and sympathy.
Additional Resources
Search for “Pet Safe” Floral Delivery: Use the words “pet safe flower delivery” in an internet search. My quick search yielded one delivery company, BloomsyBox. (Given the popularity of dogs and cats today, it surprises me there aren’t more florists paying attention to this.)
Know What is Toxic to Pets: The ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List is a comprehensive list with a filter function that enables sorting by plants toxic and non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
Know How to Get Help for Pets: Call your local veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic. If your veterinarian or an emergency care provider is not available to help your pet, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 888-426-4435, or The Pet Poison Helpline, 855-764-7661. They both operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. (Be prepared. An incident fee may be charged.) Take photos of the flower and bring a sample to provide to a medical team.
Know What is Toxic to Kids & How to Get Help: The National Capital Poison Center has a page with a partial list of plants listed as either poisonous or non-poisonous to humans. The website also provides national access to online and phone help in the U.S. (800-222-1222). Take photos of the flower and bring a sample to provide to a medical team.
Know How to Identify Plants: Android and iPhones have access to multiple apps to help identify plants through photographs. iPhones have the identifier button available through the camera. Beware: I’ve found that the identifier is not always accurate. Be sure to confirm a result through an internet search.
A Little Extra Care Shows You Care
Next time you’re ordering a bouquet or picking up some cheer for your home, consider the bigger picture. Choosing flowers and plants that are safe for your loved ones, both two-legged and four, is a simple gesture that adds beauty while preventing unintentional harm.
Do you have a favorite flower or plant that is kid and pet safe? Share your ideas in the comments below.