When it comes to a bouquet of Valentine’s Day flowers, it turns out there really is a right and wrong bunch to choose.

The most romantic day of the year is fast approaching, and while some have made a dinner reservation or planned a trip away, others will grab a last-minute bouquet of flowers and call it a day.

Unfortunately, if your partner has a cat or dog roaming around their home, that can have some fatal consequences.

Here is what you need to know.

The most dangerous flowers for cats and dogs

Experts are warning people to be mindful about bouquets ahead of the floral industry’s busiest season, as some plants are extremely dangerous for cats and dogs — including the most popular Valentine’s flower of all:roses.

While all 100 species of rose are technically non-toxic to cats and dogs, the issue is the thorns. If stepped on, chewed, or eaten they can cause painful injuries for your pet.

With the Flowers and Plants Association estimating that over nine million roses are gifted in the UK alone on February 14, the hidden danger may come as a surprise. However, to keep your furry pal safe, they’re best avoided, or at the very least kept out of reach of pets.

They aren’t the only flowers to steer clear of either.

Available in many different colours and often a staple in bouquets, lilies are undeniably gorgeous but toxic to both cats and dogs, causing dehydration, vomiting or diarrhea. In some cases, ingestion can even be fatal.

Animal wellbeing specialist at Animal Friends Pet Insurance, Catrin George, previously told Metro: ‘If you do receive a bouquet of flowers containing lilies, putting them up and out of reach might not be enough to keep your fur family safe.

‘Cats can certainly get into those hard-to-reach places and although they may not actively eat the plant, if they brush up against it, getting pollen on their fur and then wash themselves, this can make them very ill.’

According to Dr Samantha Butler-Davies MRCVS, veterinary services director at Pets at Home, even the water within the vase is poisonous.

It’s bad news for tulip lovers as well: the plant itself is toxic to cats and dogs, but it’s the bulb that you have to be most cautious of, as it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, loss of coordination, weakness, and abdominal pain.

Dr Butler-Davies also highlights daffodils and hyacinths as ones to watch, and recommends looking out for the following symptoms:

• Vomiting – this is usually one of the first signs of poisoning.
• Drooling – because of the irritation to your pet’s mouth, excessive drooling is a common early sign of poisoning.
• Diarrhoea – gastrointestinal upset caused by the toxins can lead to diarrhoea.
• Pawing at the mouth – irritation in the mouth may lead your pet to paw at its mouth or face to try and relieve the discomfort.
• Difficulty breathing – in more severe cases, the swelling caused by the irritation can make it difficult for your pet to breathe. If this happens, immediate veterinary attention is necessary.
• Increased heart rate 
• Seizures and tremors – in severe cases of poisoning, a pet may experience muscle tremors or even seizures. This is rare but can occur if a large amount of the plant has been ingested.

There are a range of plants and flowers which can result in an emergency trip to the vets, so it’s vital you do your research before picking up a bouquet.

If your pet has ingested any flowers, Dr Butler-Davies recommends immediately removing the remaining plant material from your pet’s mouth.

‘Then, if you know what flower your pet has ingested, be sure to make a note for your vet, as this may help them determine the best cause of action,’ she tells Metro.

‘Even if your pet seems okay, it is best to contact your vet immediately as they will be able to advise you on next steps. If your pet is already showing signs of poisoning, visit your vet immediately.’

To avoid heartache this Valentine’s, you may want to avoid flowers altogether and go for a less dangerous gift.

However, while Dr Butler-Davies recommends keeping all plants out of your pet’s reach, she says: ‘If you want flowers in the house, consider choosing safer options such as gerbera daisies, red roses (de-thorned) and phalaenopsis orchids.’

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