Planting a dog-friendly garden
If you have a green thumb and live in an area where you can garden or plant a flowerbox
(or three!), consider yourself lucky. If you have a pet, you’ll want to make sure that the plants and materials you choose are safe — many are dangerous or even potentially deadly to your pets.
To help keep your dog and your garden safe, the American Kennel Club offers the following tips:
Start with the Bones:
No, different kind of bones! In planning any pet-safe garden, it’s always best to start by using fences, borders and plantings for safety and security to prevent your dogs (or outside wildlife) from accessing your plants. Some dogs are climbers, and some are diggers. In order to keep your dog from escaping, install an underground barrier made from rebar, chicken wire or concrete to help prevent digging dogs from escaping.
Mulch Types: Make sure the mulch you’re using in your garden is dog-safe. Wood-based, untreated mulches such as pine, cedar and cypress are good options, and opt for small chips that are easy on your dog’s paws. Cocoa mulch, while a popular choice, is not recommended for homes with dogs because cocoa beans are more susceptible to mold, which can
cause gastrointestinal issues or even be fatal.
Fertilizers: Use safe fertilizers so that the accidental ingestion of fertilizer isn’t as hazardous to your pet. Read all instructions, because harmful substances can cause side effects from irritation and ulceration to the mouth, gums, esophagus and stomach, to burns due to direct contact. If you suspect your dog has eaten fertilizer, or they seem ill
after spending time in the garden, take them to the vet right away.
Toxic Plants: Avoid toxic plants completely, even if your dog isn’t the type to normally chew or graze. Almost anything within your dog’s reach will be tested by your pet, especially by curious puppies. The best cure is prevention — even drinking water from a vase that held a toxic plant could be enough to give your
dog diarrhea, vomiting, or worse. Make sure you check out plant guides to ensure that what you’re planting is dog-friendly before you plant them.
If you suspect your dog has eaten a toxic plant, take the following steps:
• Contact your vet , AKC Vetline or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately for accurate advice. (You will be charged a fee when you call the helpline.)
• Try to identify the plant by taking a sample or a photo or by collecting the dog’s vomit in a plastic bag.
When you reach the vet or helpline, provide as much information as possible, including:
• The suspected plant and the time of ingestion.
• Your dog’s weight.
• Any symptoms your dog is showing.
Under no circumstances should you induce vomiting unless instructed to
do so by the vet. Specific plant poisons require specific treatments, and vomiting can make some cases worse.
Don’t fall for the myth that dogs instinctively avoid dangerous plants. While it is sometimes true of animals in the wild, dogs have no ability to distinguish between safe and unsafe plants.