Giving someone flowers can be a beautiful and stylish way to demonstrate your love. There are hundreds of different varieties to customize a bouquet to a loved one's taste.
When curating the picture-perfect arrangement, the last thing you might consider is a pet's health. But, flowers can pose problems for our furry friends − particularly cats.
Many flowers and plants deemed safe for humans are toxic for cats, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). So, before you buy flowers for your next big occasion, here's a rundown on some cat-friendly alternatives.
According to PetMD, there are several popular cat-friendly flowers, including:
Ingesting any flower could lead to a mild upset stomach, but roses are not considered extremely toxic for cats, according to the ASPCA.
The main concern is a rose's thorns. If a cat were to eat or chew a rose's stem, it could cause injuries to the mouth or paws. Floral stems can also get stuck in a cat's throat, causing a gastrointestinal obstruction.
Similar to humans, cats can have allergies to plants that cause irritation to the skin, mouth and stomach, PetMD reports. In some cases, they can lead to more drastic impacts, such as kidney or heart damage.
There are countless flowers categorized as poisonous to cats. The best way to determine whether or not something is safe for your pet is to consult the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant list.
Here are some common flowers that are toxic to cats:
Toxin concentration levels vary depending on the type and part of the flower, PetMD reports. It's safe to assume any plant labeled as "toxic" is off-limits for decoration.
Typically, cats experience inflammation or irritation – such as eye swelling or skin redness – when exposed to irritants like flowers. However, if a cat ingests a plant, this can cause more serious complications, including vomiting and diarrhea.
If your cat experiences any of the following symptoms, contact your veterinarian and seek immediate medical attention:
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "When do cats stop growing?" to "Are poinsettias poisonous to dogs?" to "Can cats eat watermelon?" − we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer.
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