As May 1 approaches, beware of your pets! Just as chocolate marks Easter, the lily of the valley, the day’s iconic flower, long considered a good luck charm, is extremely toxic for dogs, cats and other pets, including rodents. Whether as a bouquet at home or a sprig outdoors in the forest, the lily of the valley contains irritants and toxic derivatives, and ingestion can lead to heart problems.
This plant can slow the heart rate and raise blood pressure, and it can also cause kidney problems in animals. If your dog or cat only smells the lily of the valley, that’s not a problem. However, if it eats it, especially in a large amount, you should seek urgent veterinary care. Not only the flower is toxic, but also the water in which it sits, the leaves and the stem, so be sure to promptly empty the vase water.
Since it's not always possible to monitor your pet's every move, keep an eye out for symptoms. The main ones are vomiting, even diarrhea, but also convulsions and a drop in heart rate. Beware, too, of children who might ingest the little bells if the lily of the valley is within their reach. If in doubt, call a poison control center.
Why do people give Lily of the Valley on May 1st? The history and origins of this tradition
You’ve probably noticed it—the plant that pops up all over France on May 1, the famous lily of the valley. But why have we made it a habit to offer a sprig of lily of the valley every May 1? Here’s the backstory on the origins and history of this tradition. [Read more]
May 1, 2026, Labour Day and a public holiday, also brings the tradition of lily of the valley. Selling or picking these tiny lucky bells in the forests of Île-de-France is a long-standing custom, but it comes with a few rules to know. [Read more]
Why do people give Lily of the Valley on May 1st? The history and origins of this tradition
May 1st: how to sell lilies of the valley and where to source them around Paris in Île-de-France?
