These Are the 5 Deadliest Valentine’s Day Flowers for New York Pets

Before picking up a bouquet for your favorite pet owner, make sure it doesn't contain any of these extremely toxic flowers.

Today is Valentine's Day, a time where a fresh bouquet of flowers becomes the hottest item on the market. However, some plants pose a serious risk for your four-legged furry friend.

For those with cats or dogs, especially those with a penchant for chewing on plants, there are certain plants one should avoid at all costs to avoid a trip to the vet and, quite possibly, an impossible choice.

People across America lose their furry best friend each year to accidental exposure to plant toxins. Typically, Valentine's Day is one of the worst days of the year for this.

Read More: New Yorkers to Spend Record Amount on Valentine's Day This Year

That is why veterinarians and other animal experts are raising awareness about the plants people should and should not bring home. TrustedHousesitters worked with these animal doctors to compile a list of the deadliest flowers of all.

The most dangerous plant are lilies. Veterinarian Amanda Takiguchi, DVM, explained:

 Even eating a small amount of this flower can cause deadly kidney failure in cats. Multiple species of lilies are toxic to cats, so it’s best to avoid lilies altogether.

A similar plant in name, lily of the valley, is also dangerous to both cats and dogs. "If ingested, this flower can cause seizures and dangerous abnormalities in heart rate and rhythm," said Takiguchi.

Lilies are also a popular plant around Easter, so pet owners are strongly encouraged to keep their distance.

The second-most dangerous flower are daffodils, which can cause vomiting and other serious health concerns if consumed by a cat or dog. The bulb is the most toxic part, so it might not be the best flower to plant if your pet loves to dig in the dirt.

Third worst is the hydrangea, which contains the toxin amygdalin. If consumed by a dog, the animal can start vomiting, run a fever, and experience a rapid heart rate.

Tulips came in fourth-most dangerous overall because of what they can do to both cats and dogs. Signs your animal might have consumed tulip include excessive drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, cardiac abnormalities, and central nervous system depression.

Last on the list were carnations, which cause gastrointestinal distress and dermatitis.

Angela Laws, Head of Community, warned pet owners to act quickly if their cat or dog ingests a dangerous plant.

She said:

Make sure that anything you leave in reach of your pets is safe, should they get their paws on it, keeping an eye out to spot any abnormal signs that your pet has become unwell, in which case a vet should be consulted immediately.

Pets can be saved if they are treated in time. However, the cost to save your cat or dog's life can be costly as extreme measures may need to be taken.

Read More: New York Named One of the Most Romantic Places in the World

However, most pet owners would agree they'd rather pay up than face the alternative option, which is to euthanize the animal to prevent further suffering.

For those who'd rather avoid this situation entirely, veterinarians encourage pet owners to beware of dangerous plants and, should they receive them, keep them out of reach of your fuzzy best friend - such as keeping them at work or in a room that isn't accessible to pets

Valentine's Flowers That Are Safe for Pets

Veterinarians say just because some plants are bad for pets, that doesn't mean all should be shunned. There are several flowers that are safe and can be used for decorative purposes.

These plants are:

1. Sunflowers
2. Petunias
3. Pansies
4. Marigolds
5. Snapdragons
6. Violas
7. Freesia
8. Orchids

Happy Valentine's Day!

Get our free mobile app