VIDEO: Flowers you should avoid this Valentine’s Day if you have pets

A pair of loveable dogs have taken their first steps into acting after they took part in a mini-film ahead of Valentine’s Day.

Daisy, a miniature dachshund and Ollie, a sprollie, had a day of treats in return for a little work on set creating a video that will help save pets’ lives.

The well-behaved duo were at Bay Tree Florist in Denton Holme to highlight toxic flowers and the importance of buying pet-friendly bouquets.

Paragon Veterinary Group is working with Carlisle florists to create pet-friendly bouquets while giving details of the risk that even commonly chosen flowers can pose to cats and dogs.

This is the second year Paragon has teamed up with florists to make sure people are aware of the safety concerns surrounding flowers in your home.

Florists are able to put stickers on the bunches to show which ones are the best to have if you have a pet and they’re also able to provide a card that will show all the others that could pose a risk.

Flowers such as daffodils are often a popular choice, they can in fact cause illnesses in dogs, similarly, lilies are also toxic for cats. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching roses are in fact one of the safe options.

Florists involved in the campaign include Bay Tree Florist, Linda’s Flowers, Oopsie Daisy Flowers, and Aroma Florist in Carlisle.

Rose Smith, of Bay Tree Florist, said she was thrilled to have to campaign back for a second year.

She said: “When we took part last year it went much better than we ever expected. Since then we’ve had loads of people asking about pet-friendly bouquets, they really wanted to know what they are.

“It’s been really heart-warming, pets are a big part of our lives and we all love them and want them to be safe. To be able to put something together that we know is safe is really important.

“It has been an education for us learning about what to put in and what changes to make, we do have to pay attention but it has been an education for us and an education for others. I love doing it, It feels good to know that we’re able to help protect people’s pets.”

Paragon, which has surgeries in Dalston, Wetheral and Newbiggin is backing the campaign and they hope the more people are made aware of the risks the fewer cases they will see.

Graham Lewis, a small animal veterinary surgeon at Paragon, said: “We know that the last thing anyone wants when purchasing, selling or giving flowers is to cause harm to someone’s pet.

“Florists that are able to have these conversations and discuss pet-friendly bouquets are invaluable and I’m sure the public really appreciates the knowledge and advice they get from good florists.”

Many people are unaware that lilies can be toxic and fatal to cats, with dogs suffering if they come into contact with tulips.

He added: “ Unfortunately, we often have cases of toxicity, for example, cats and lilies, dogs and daffodil bulbs, dogs and chocolate. Luckily these are becoming less common as the public becomes more aware of the risks.”

Vets at Paragon’s Dalston surgery treated two kittens for possible lily poisoning. The two cats were made to be sick and were monitored in the surgery for two days.

Graham explained what can happen or what to do if you suspect something has happened.

He said: “It depends on the plant, some bulbs can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, some can cause them to become anaemic and weak. The worst can cause kidney failure and by the time the symptoms start the damage can be severe, unfortunately.

“If you think your animal may have eaten something they shouldn’t contact your vet straight away with as much information as possible. Keep cats away from lilies, even rubbing against lilies and then licking the pollen off their fur can be fatal if not treated immediately.”