Valentine’s Day spending is expected to hit $25.9 billion in sales this year. That’s an increase over the $23.9 billion consumers spent in 2022 and one of the highest spending years on record for Valentine’s Day, according to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. Aside from candy and greeting cards, Valentine’s Day flowers are among the top purchases, followed by an evening out, jewelry, gift cards and clothing.
It’s usually okay to embrace an “it’s the thought that counts” attitude but, since not all flowers are safe for pets, it’s important to be especially mindful when gifting Valentine’s Day flowers to those who have a service dog, companion animal or a pet in general.
Pet-Safe Valentine’s Day Flowers
Here are a dozen pet-safe flowers (listed in alphabetical order) to include in Valentine’s Day floral bouquets, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Freesias
- Gerber Daisies
- Limonium
- Lisianthus
- Madagascar Jasmine
- Orchids
- Roses
- Snapdragons
- Statice
- Stock
- Sunflowers
- Waxflower
The ASPCA cautions that while the plants listed above are considered to be pet-safe, ingestion of anything outside of a pet’s normal diet (including flowers) may cause mild stomach upset. Keep floral bouquets out of your pet’s reach. For a detailed list of toxic and non-toxic plants, please review this list. If your animal ingests a toxic plant or harmful substance, contact your veterinarian and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
