These popular spring flowers are pretty but can be very harmful to our furry friends.

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Springtime Flowers

I don't know about you, but when springtime comes around, I don't know if it's the fact that the weather gets warmer and we start seeing more sunshine, or if it's the fact that the pollen makes my head kinda fuzzy, but when spring rolls around I get the bug to buy flowers and plant them in my landscaping, but since I own dogs, and my neighbors have outdoor cats, I try to be a little more careful with what I plant and where.

Common Poisonous Plants

Did you know tulips were poisonous to dogs?  I had NO idea! Apparently, if they end up digging up the bulbs, the skin on the bulb is toxic.  This goes for many plants with bulbs as well.  So if you have a garden or landscaping in your yard around your dogs, you definitely want to be cautious.

According to Berkley Humane, these are the most common flowers that people enjoy planting in the springtime that can be poisonous for pets.

1. Tulip
2. Lilly (many varieties are very toxic to pets)
3. Gladiola
4. Daffodil (especially the bulbs)
5. Begonia
6. Amaryllis (especially the bulbs)
7. Chrysanthemum
8. Birds of Paradise (often in front/back yards)
9. Baby’s Breath (common in bouquets)
10. Azalea/Rhododendron
11. Oleander
12. Milkweed (often planted to attract butterflies)

Flower lovers fear not! There are many pet-safe flowers too. Some popular options are: African Violets, Roses, Orchids, Sunflowers, and Marigolds.

While these plants are very common, this is by no means an exhaustive list.  According to the ASPCA, Peonies (one of my personal favorites, and Indiana's state flower) is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.  If you want to see a full list of plants, including an entire guide on poisonous plants, you can see the list from the ASPCA here.

What to Do if Your Pet Ingests Something Questionable

Say you're out walking your dog, and they eat something that has you wondering if it's safe, you can always call your vet and ask.  Another resource you can use is the Pet Poison Hotline which is a 24/7 helpline that number is 855-764-7661. You may want to save that number in your phone for emergencies.  The Pet Poison Hotline has a lot of really great information about common poisons to pets, and what to do if your pet gets poisoned.