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Spring can be a beautiful time of year, thanks to all the pink blossoms on trees and the colourful flowers starting to grow again, but it can also be deadly for uneducated gardeners. Tulips are one of the UK's most beloved flowers as they are cheap, cheerful and really easy to grow compared to fussier plants, but most people do not realise they are highly toxic for animals. If you suspect tulips are growing in your garden, now is the time to dig them out as the risk window is at its highest.

Fani Agisilaou from Dutch Grown is warning pet owners that tulips contain compounds that are poisonous to cats and dogs and should be kept out of the garden altogether if you own pets. She explained: "Tulipalin A and Tulipalin B can be found in all parts of the plant, but the Tulip bulbs contain the highest concentration of these toxic substances. Both compounds can make your dog or cat sick."

Late April and throughout May can often be the most risky time to have tulips in a garden as the bulb, the most toxic part of the plant, will be more exposed, so pets are more likely to interact with it.

Most people believe that their pets will not be affected if they do not eat flowers, but dogs and cats are often affected because they enjoy digging or eating grass near these bulbs.

A lot of UK pet owners are being urged to be careful following an incident at Farmer Copley's Tulip Festival in Pontefract, Yorkshire, where a spaniel named Bobby died after his owner, Jemma Ladwitch, did not realise that tulips can be toxic to dogs.

It is important to note that it is not just tulips; many popular spring flowers in British gardens, like daffodils, bluebells, hyacinths, and even cherry blossoms, can be harmful to our four-legged friends.

However, if you love having a beautiful spring garden, then you do not have to give up flowers altogether as there are a lot of pet-friendly plants you can grow instead.

Fani added: "The best way to protect your cat or dog from Tulip toxicity is to avoid exposure to Tulips altogether. Fortunately, many alternatives to Tulips are non-toxic to your pet."

You can plant grape hyacinths, known for their deep blue petals, which are named for their bunching together like grapes.

Coneflowers are also considered safe for pets, come in a range of beautiful colours and look like massive daisies thanks to their drooping flowers.

There are also bee balms, that come in vivid red or pink tones and are known for being extremely appealing to bees and hummingbirds so will help make your garden burst with life this spring.