The best of the bunch: Cat-safe flowers for Valentine's Day

Updated 22/04/2024

Roses are red, violets are blue, when choosing cat-safe flowers, here’s what to do…

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, pet parents are eagerly awaiting tokens of affection from their loved ones. Hoping for a romantic gesture from your cat might be a stretch, but that doesn’t stop homes from filling with flowers, chocolates, and all sorts of treats. 

Since fluffy felines are insistent on investigating anything new that enters their kingdom, yet do not understand the concept of toxic vs non-toxic plants, it falls upon pet parents like you to ensure your flowers are safe for cats.

So take a moment to consider how to say “I love you” while ensuring the well-being of the furry friend in your life. 

What flowers are safe for cats?

When it comes to picking out your Valentine’s Day blooms, there’s a whole bouquet of flowers safe for cats to choose from: 

• Roses
• Snapdragons
• Zinnias 
• Sunflowers
• Orchids 
• Freesias
• Gerbera Daisy
• Lisianthus
• Waxflowers

Despite being a pet-friendly go-to for Valentines, roses do still pose a risk to our furry friends. It should come as no surprise that thorns can cause problems if ingested, but they can also leave your kitty cat with nasty puncture wounds on their body that may get infected. For this reason, it’s important to de-thorn your roses as far away from any pets as possible. 

What flowers are not safe for cats?

While there are plenty of gorgeous flowers that aren’t toxic to cats, it’s worth noting that there are also a number that are mildly to highly toxic. 

• Lillies 
• Daffodils
• Tulips 
• Amaryllis
• Bird of Paradise
• Calla Lily
• Carnation
• Chrysanthemum
• Dahlia
• Gladioli
• Hydrangea
• Iris
• Lily of the Valley
• Peony
• Ranunculus

Lilies and cats certainly don’t mix, and it’s not only the actual flower that could cause problems for your furry friend, but also the leaves, stems, and even the water they stand in. While daffodils and tulips are also popular this time of year, the bulbs are toxic to cats and the leaves and flowers can upset their tummy. Make sure your Valentines bouquet is free from ivy, which is poisonous to cats, and any of the above cut flowers. 

Signs of plant poisoning in cats 

Sticking to cat-friendly flowers is the way to go for households with furry felines. But pet owners and cat sitters should still keep an eye out for any signs that their purr pal has tampered with a poisonous plant: 

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Wobbliness
• Seizures 
• Excessive thirst
• Lethargy and weakness
• Breathing problems

Ingesting or even just rubbing up against flowers that are toxic to pets can cause vomiting, diarrhea, breathing problems, kidney failure, liver failure, and even death. Lilies are particularly toxic, and just a tiny nibble could be deadly to your furry feline. 

It’s extremely important to contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect plant poisoning.

How to keep your cat safe on Valentine’s Day 

Whether you choose a dozen red roses or a pet-safe bouquet of gerberas and sunflowers, there are plenty of safe flowers for cats to choose from. But that doesn’t mean they are totally risk-free, as some can still cause stomach upsets for certain kitties. If you do get some flowers this Valentine’s Day, make sure you display them out of paw’s reach to be on the safe side.

With that in mind, the best flowers for cats may be the ones you make yourself. Why not celebrate the occasion with a DIY bouquet made from silk or tissue paper, or you could even crochet a beautiful arrangement?

Remember that, aside from flowers, there are a number of other dangerous items you may have around the house at this time of year. Chocolate is toxic to cats, along with treats sweetened with xylitol, and alcohol. 

Packaging can also pose a threat to our furry felines, so carefully dispose of wrapping paper, string, and anything else your furry feline could choke on. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Gemma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Gemma Cliffin BSc BVSc MRCVS. Gemma is an experienced small animal vet who combines her love of writing alongside working in practice. Since her graduation from the University of Liverpool in 2014 she has worked in a wide variety of roles including first opinion practice, as a night vet, and as a locum vet. She has also spent time working at a charity clinic in the Cook Islands which was a challenge but also immensely rewarding. She loves all aspects of veterinary work, but she especially enjoys medicine cases and diagnostic imaging. She is passionate about pain management, particularly in her more senior patients. She currently works in a first opinion small animal practice in North Yorkshire where she deals with both routine and emergency cases.