Hidden Dangers in the Garden

20th of March, 2012. How many of us realise the harm that some of our garden plants can do to our dogs?

Hidden Dangers in the Garden

We all love this time of year with the glorious displays of daffodils and other Spring plants in the garden and our Summer plants growing on beautifully in the greenhouse.  With the sunshine and the longer daylight hours we are working away in the garden getting it ready for us to sit out and enjoy the summer months ahead.  And how the little dears love to ‘help’ us, digging holes, ‘dead-heading’ the flowers etc., but how many of us realise the harm that some of these plants can do to our dogs?

Animals tend to consume plants as a natural way to improve their health.  For example, dogs eat grass for nutrition, and to induce vomiting when they feel a little queasy, but there are many instances of them accidentally ingesting toxins from poisonous plants causing illness and in extreme cases, death.  Those lovely daffodils in your garden are toxic to your dog if chewed.  Irritating plants commonly cause skin problems in animals and humans alike.  If your Westie develops a skin condition try tracing his favourite spots in the garden to determine if a toxic plant may be the problem.  Observe the vegetation and report it to your vet who will be able to give better more accurate treatment as a result.  And don’t forget the garden and lawn chemicals, why not see if there is a safer alternative?  Whilst in the waiting room at our vet we witnessed a dog admitted as an emergency, fitting badly due to ingesting some slug bait.  Our own garden is totally organic, this way we can all enjoy it knowing that we are minimising any risk to our dogs.

Here’s wishing you and your dogs an enjoyable, stress free and hopefully not unpleasantly hot summer.