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Dogs love exploring the Garden, sniffing plants and flowers or playing on the lawn. The colours, smell, and space are irresistible for any breed that enjoys being outside, especially on summer days—finding a nice shade beneath a willow tree to cool down and relax.
Your Garden may seem like an earthly paradise with its brightly coloured floral displays and exotic plants, but it can also be a hellish underworld full of hidden dangers. It is a death trap for dogs.
The perils of plants
We are talking about plants – toxic and non-toxic types. Always consider your dog when tending to your existing plants or introducing new varieties. Some plants are non-poisonous, whereas others have toxic properties, but they are hazardous for dogs.
The effects range from mild to severe, even fatal. They include allergies and sensitivities to severe digestive and cardiac/respiratory disorders, paralysis, coma and death. These effects vary according to the type of plant eaten and the breed of the dog.
Poisoning occurs when dogs chew some or all of a plant: if they lick the leaves or clean their coat following contact with pesticides from the soil or lawn. This equally applies to other garden chemicals, cocoa mulch and pellets.
Toxic plants
These plants are harmful, even potentially fatal, to dogs. They include:
- Amaryllis
- Azalea
- Buttercups
- Cyclamen
- Daffodils
- Eucalyptus
- Foxgloves
- Gardenia
- Geraniums
- Hyacinth
- Hydrangea
- Ivy
- Jade
- Lily of the Valley
- Morning Glory
- Narcissus
- Oleander
- Peonies
- Rhododendron
- Sweet William
- Tulips
- Wisteria
Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten any of these or other toxic plants.
outdoor plants safe for cats and dogs
These plants will cause a bad reaction rather than a fatality but avoid letting your dog lick or chew them as the effects are still unpleasant. They include:
- African Daisy
- Black Hawthorn
- Camellias
- Cornflowers
- Dwarf Palm
- Easter Daisy
- Forsythia
- Fuchsia
- Globe Thistle
- Hawthorn
- Honeysuckle
- Irish Moss
- Jasmine
- Kahali Ginger
- Lace Orchid
- Marigolds
- Nasturtium
- Orange Star
- Petunias
- Roses
- Sunflowers
- Tailed Orchid
- Venus Fly Trap
- Withered Snapdragon
Note: if your dog has been exposed to any of these and suffers a bad reaction, contact your vet for advice.
Prevent plant poisoning
You can’t watch your dog all the time, but there are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of poisoning. These include asking your local garden centre for advice about toxic/non-toxic plants, avoiding using cocoa mulch, and reading the labels on any plants or chemicals before purchasing them. The Internet is another useful source.