Whilst flowers and plants can be a lovely addition to any home, adding a pop of colour and scent to a space, experts have warned that pet owners should think again before they buy certain flowers or plants to spruce up their home.
With searches for ‘what flowers are poisonous’ up by 100% in the last month alone and searches for ‘what plants are toxic’ up by 80%, online home store, Wayfair UK, has looked into what plants are poisonous, specifically to pets and warned against homeowners with furry friends buying or growing them!
Whilst the consumption of any sort of plant material may cause problems with your pets including vomiting, some plants or flowers are more dangerous than others. In terms of some of the most poisonous, lilies are extremely troublesome to our feline friends.
Wayfair comments: “Lilies are extremely toxic to cats; even picking up pollen on their fur and ingesting it can cause severe poisoning – every part of the lily plant poses a danger.
True lilies and daylilies contain toxins that may cause kidney failure, while calla and peace lilies have calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and throat, leading to drooling and vomiting. Flame lilies may cause organ failure, and Lily of the Valley contains a cardiotoxin that can trigger arrhythmias. For cat owners, it’s crucial to avoid lilies in the home and garden entirely.”
With the festive season fast approaching and with there being 160,000 searches for ‘ivy plant’ in the last month and a staggering 419,000 searches for ‘poinsettia’, many homeowners are eager to bring autumn and winter foliage inside the home.
However, Wayfair has cautioned pet owners against using these popular seasonal plants for decoration. Wayfair comments: “Plants and flowers such as holly, ivy, poinsettias and mistletoe are seasonal favourites in homes, however they can pose a massive risk to your pets, especially if eaten.
Holly berries contain toxins such as saponins and methylxanthines, which are especially harmful to cats. Ivy also has toxic compounds, like triterpenoid saponins, which can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach pain if ingested.
Although poinsettias and mistletoe are popular festive plants, they both also pose risks to pets. Poinsettias have sap that can irritate a cat’s mouth, while mistletoe contains toxins like phoratoxins and lectins that can impact a cat’s heart rate and nervous system. With this in mind, either completely avoid or keep them away from your furry friends.”
Pets can make it challenging to keep real plants, flowers, and greenery indoors due to potential health risks. However, Daniela Venturini, Art Director and Trend Forecaster at Wayfair UK, has shared her tips on how to safely bring the outdoors into your home without any added risk.
Daniela comments: “Having pets doesn’t have to mean giving up on greenery at home! If you’re a pet owner craving a touch of foliage, artificial plants and flowers are a perfect solution.
They bring a pop of colour and style to any room, stay fresh all year, and require zero maintenance – no watering or sunlight needed! Best of all, they’re safe for your furry friends and can easily match any decor style.”
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