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Hi.

Welcome to This Awful/Awesome Life! My name is Frances Joyce. I am the publisher and editor of this magazine. We'll be exploring different topics each month to inform, entertain and inspire you. Meet new authors, sharpen your brain and pick up a few tips on life, love, entertaining and business. Enjoy and please share!

Pets and Flowers by Fran Joyce

Flowers, Herbs and Vegetables  

What’s Safe for your Pets?

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Consumption of any plant material may result in vomiting but according to the ASPCA certain non-toxic plants will not harm cats or dogs. According to the FTD website I consulted (ftd.com) if you are not sure the recipient has a pet, the safest flowers to send are an arrangement of Gerbera Daisies or a bouquet of long stem mixed roses without baby’s breath. Be aware that according to some lists baby’s breath is non-toxic, but will induce vomiting and diarrhea in cats and dogs while other lists consider it toxic, so please err on the side of caution when ordering a floral arrangement for someone who may have pets and skip the baby’s breath.

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Pony Tail Bonsai and Lucky 7 Bamboo arrangements are also great and safe alternatives to traditional flower bouquets.

In addition to floral arrangements, certain indoor plants, herbs and vegetables can be toxic for pets. Keep it safe for your furry friend and be sure to plant pet safe non-toxic plants in areas your cat or dog can access.

Non-toxic plants safe for dogs and cats

Acorn squash

Butternut Squash

African Daisy

Barberton Daisy

Blue Daisy

Blue Eyed Daisy

Gerber Daisy

African violet

Alyssum

American rubber plant

Asparagus Fern

Boston Fern

Bamboo

Bamboo Palm

Feather Palm

Dwarf Palm

Good luck Palm

Lady Palm

Basil

Beets

Camellia

Carob

China Aster

Giant Aster

Carob

Chervil/French Parsley

Christmas Cactus

Cilantro

Cinnamon

Cocks Comb

Coreopsis

Cornflower/Bachelors Buttons

Cucumber

Dill

Edible banana

Fennel

Friendship plant 

Garden Marigold

Garden Snapdragon

Gloxinia

Grape Hyacinth

Hens and Chickens 

Hibiscus

Hollyhocks 

Honeydew melon

Impatiens

Pansies

Jasmine 

Lemon Balm

Nasturtium

Painted Lady

Pampas Grass

Petunia

Platinum Peperomia

Polka Dot Plant

Rose

Rose of Sharon

Rosemary

Sage

Spider Plant

Stevia

Strawberry

Sunflower 

Sweet Potato 

Thyme 

Cantaloupe 

Variegated wax plant 

Violet Slipper Gloxinia

Zinnia 

Zucchini

Toxic Plants to avoid

Aloe

Amaryllis

American Holly

Apple

Apricot

Asian Lily-Cats: vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, kidney failure, death

Autumn Crocus

Azalea

Begonia

Calla lily

Carnation

Daffodil

Tulip

Hyacinth

Iris

Chrysanthemums

Gladiolus

Hydrangea

Lilies (toxic to cats)

Satin Pothos

Schefflera

Shamrock Plant

Snake Plant

St. John’s Wort

Stargazer Lily

Sweet William

Dahlia

Lily of the Valley

Peony

Forget-me-nots

Peace Lilies

Coleus

Lavender

Lenten Rose

Gardenia

Tomato plants

 

 

Attract Bees, Birds and Butterflies to Your Yard and Keep Mosquitoes Away by Fran Joyce

What's for Dinner? Ask Linda