Dogs will eat almost anything they come across, which can be concerning for dog parents. While some of the items they end up eating are merely gross, others may be toxic or cause internal damage when ingested, so it’s important to know what’s safe and what isn’t. If you’re a plant person with a yard full of flowers your pup enjoys snacking on occasionally, you should know that not all flowers are safe for dogs to consume.
However, if you have common snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) in your yard, you’re in luck because these flowers are not poisonous to canines! That doesn’t mean other flowers are equally as safe for your pup, though. That’s why we’re looking at safe flowers to have in your yard and how to keep your dog from eating your flowers in the first place.
Are Snapdragons Poisonous to Dogs?
Nope, common snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are entirely non-toxic to canines, so they aren’t a concern as far as poisonous flowers go. This plant is also non-toxic to felines, in case you’re wondering. So, if you’re looking for safe flowers to have in your yard, this bright and charming flower should definitely be on your list.
Other species of snapdragon like the withered snapdragon (Antirrhinum multiflorum) and lesser snapdragon (Antirrhinum orontium) are also not toxic to dogs and cats.
What Flowers Are Toxic to Dogs?
Flowers may brighten our homes and make our yards look fantastic, but not all flowers are pet-safe. In fact, several of them are toxic to canines. Here’s a look at some of the flowers in and around homes that you should avoid if you have canines.
- Azaleas
- Daffodils
- Tulips
- Gladiolus
- Lavender
- Carnations
- Hydrangea
- Buttercups (not buttercup squash)
- Oleanders
- Lily of the Valley (not lily of the valley orchid)
- Peonies (not camellia)
- Poinsettia
While these flowers are beautiful, they should not be planted near or in your home for the safety of your dog.
What Flowers Are Safe for Dogs?
Now that you know what flowers you shouldn’t have in your yard and home, what flowers are left? Don’t worry that you can’t have any flowers around to make your house more beautiful, as many flowers are perfectly safe and non-toxic for your pup! Just a few of these include:
- Marigolds
- Moth Orchids
- Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus, not watercress Nasturtium officinale)
- Sunflowers
- Honeysuckle Fuchsia
- Coreopsis
- Cornflowers
- Impatiens
- Snapdragons
How Can I Keep My Dog From Eating My Flowers?
If your dog is eating non-toxic flowers in your yard, you probably would like them to stop. So, how can you do this? The best way is to keep your pet out of your flower beds altogether, and you can accomplish this in several ways.
The easiest way to keep your pup out of your flower beds is to keep them on a leash whenever they’re out in the yard. However, this isn’t ideal because, most likely, you want your dog to have a chance to run around and play while outside. That means you need to block off the flower beds somehow, which you can do by installing fences around the flowers or planting barrier plants around the flower beds. Barrier plants would be dog-safe plants that are tall or thick enough your dog doesn’t want to walk through or jump over them.
You can also plant flowers in areas your dog can’t reach or hang them from the ceiling if the flowers are inside. If your dog can’t get to the flowers, they certainly can’t eat them!
Training your pet to stay away from flowers is a sure bet. Ideally, you would begin training your pup from an early age to avoid any flower beds and flowers they see. With proper training, you can teach your pet to respect certain boundaries in your yard or leave the flowers when they get near them.
Finally, if you believe your dog is munching on your flowers because they’re bored or in a destructive mood, up their daily exercise and playtime! Dogs who don’t get enough exercise through walks or playtime can quickly become bored, leading to things like flower bed carnage. By ensuring you are playing with your pet daily and taking them for long enough walks, your flower beds should be kept much safer.
Conclusion
Snapdragons are non-toxic for dogs, so they’re perfectly safe for your yard. Several other flowers are safe to have in your yard, as well, though many are toxic to canines and should be avoided altogether.
Whatever flowers you decide to have in your yard, you can take steps to ensure their safety from your dog’s teeth and paws. Putting barriers around flower beds, planting flowers in out-of-the-way spots your dog can’t reach, and training your pet to avoid flowers can help keep flowers and dogs safe.
Featured Image Credit: ignartonosbg, Pixabay
