Is Your Garden Safe for Your Pets?
Featured in Houston Pet Talk, April 2024 issue
By Dr. Noaker
Springtime always seems to arrive as butterflies and bees stay busy pollinating our gardens. The flowers and weeds have begun to bloom, and it’s time to start your spring gardening. We want to share a few precautions you can take to keep your animals safe in the yard.
Be Cautious of Plants
Before you buy new plants to adorn your garden, a quick Google search can inform you about the safety of them around your pets. There are many plants that can cause our pets significant problems, from illness to death.
Mulch Hazards
Mulch is another thing that we often add to freshen up our flower beds in the springtime. Your choice of mulch is important. Mulch made from cocoa bean shells smells like chocolate and can be a tasty temptation that is not worth the risk. Remember that chocolate is toxic to our pets, and the cocoa bean shells used for mulch are also toxic for the same reasons. Eating this mulch can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, a very fast heart rate, tremors, seizures, and even death.
Dangers of Slug and Snail Bait
Now that you have your plants growing and thriving, it can be frustrating to watch slugs and snails chew the leaves. Did you know that the bait sold at most garden shops is extremely toxic to cats, dogs, and wildlife? Most baits come in various forms and contain a chemical called metaldehyde. To attract slugs and snails, bran or molasses is often added, unfortunately making the bait tasty to other animals as well. Even a small amount consumed by your pet can cause severe symptoms, from drooling and vomiting to seizures and high body temperatures. Emergency treatment is required to prevent respiratory failure, liver failure, and death.
Watch Out for Acorns
Acorns are still around too, and they contain tannins, which are toxic to dogs and cats. If eaten, acorns can cause stomach and intestinal issues, including vomiting and diarrhea. Acorns can also cause intestinal blockages, choking, and even dental trauma if they are hard enough when chewed.
Sago Palms and Lilies
As always in an article about plants, we want to mention the severe toxicity of sago palms and lilies. For dogs, it is especially important to teach them commands like "leave it" and "drop it." While your yard may be free from dangerous plants, squirrels often carry sago palm seeds and drop them in your yard.
Our Critical Care Team is Here for You
We want you to have a safe and beautiful springtime. No matter the season, if an animal emergency occurs, our critical care team is here for you and your pets, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
