Nip In The Bud: Gardening with Pet-safe Plants
Your azalea’s look absolutely splendiferous in your garden beds and your lilies are simply gorgeous this year, but did you know that both flowers are dangerous to your pet? Fortunately for your green thumb, there are loads of pet-safe plants to choose from, and we’d like to spread the news about the risks associated with the most common flora possibly growing in your own backyard.
A Green Oasis
Homeowners typically invest a good amount of time into garden projects and curb appeal. Plants like rhododendron, oleander, and foxglove are extremely pretty and popular, but super toxic for your pet. The good news? You can still create and maintain a lush garden – and a safe, non-toxic one, as well.
We recommend brushing up on this comprehensive list of toxic plants. Knowing your plants can prevent serious illnesses – ranging from liver failure or heart problems – from befalling your pet.
If you feel that it’s worth the risks associated to growing certain toxic plants, please install a barrier or fence to keep your pets from chewing, eating, or digging.
Pet-safe Plants
There are just as many – if not more – pet-safe plants than toxic ones. Begonias, violets, nasturtiums, and snapdragons complete a rather long list of pet-safe plants for you to choose from. A delightful addition to any garden bed is a fresh patch of catnip, and you can always dry it out after summer for your cat’s favorite toys or scratching post.
Dangerous Chemicals
Every year, we see and treat many pets exposed to hazardous chemicals used in support of lawn health or plant growth. Dangerous insecticides and weed killers are also to blame for a variety of telling symptoms, such as:
- Drooling
- Tearing of the eyes
- Excessive urination
- Pain or tenderness in the abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness or dizziness
- Respiratory distress
- Collapse
Furthermore, exposure to toxic lawn chemicals can affect your pet’s kidneys, liver, muscles, digestive tract, and can also lead to anemia, and decreased counts of white blood cells and platelets. Please store any lawn chemicals or fertilizers in a locked cabinet that your pet cannot access, and do not allow your pet to traipse through the yard or garden beds until an applied product dries.
What You Can Do
Your pet’s summer safety can be (almost) assured if the following additional outdoor practices are maintained:
- Keep up on your pet’s parasite prevention. Fleas, ticks, and heartworms are to blame for a whole host of serious problems.
- Rodent and snail bait is a powerful killer; do not lay out in any areas that your pet frequents.
- In your garden landscaping, use other bark instead of cocoa mulch. A by-product in chocolate production, cocoa mulch can cause similar life-threatening symptoms as a chocolate poisoning.
- Remove any foxtails as soon as possible this spring and early summer. If your pet picks up in his or her fur while out and about, be sure to remove any awns promptly.
- Cover or seal your compost heap to limit the opportunities your pet may have to munch on moldy food, corn cobs, peach pits, and other items that result in poisoning or choking.
Pet-Safe Plants And More!
Your garden and backyard beckons you and your pet, and, with your pet-safe plants and outdoor precautions, you’ll both have a place to enjoy. Allowing your pet to eat toxic plants can result in emergency care, and we are always here to help. Please let us know if you have any questions concerns and, above all, enjoy the warm weather with your pet!