Spring season is in full swing, and many people have been planting and tending to their gardens. While plants and flowers are beautiful, they can be lethal to our four-legged friends. With a little extra planning, your garden can be fun for you and safe for your dog. To help you keep your dog safe, the American Kennel Club offers the following tips for dog-friendly gardening. Among them:
• What you’re planting could be poisonous. Many common flowers and plants can be unsafe or even fatal for dogs. The danger could be in the flower, fruit, roots or leaves. Be sure to do your research before planting anything that could potentially harm your dog. Some plants to avoid are calla lilies, sago palm, azalea and rhododendron, among others.
• A thorny problem. Be mindful of flowers and plants, such as roses, that have thorns. The thorns can seriously injure your dog. Either leave them out of your garden, or block your dog’s access to them.
• Plant food is not dog food. Fertilizer may keep your plants and grass healthy, but it can harm your dog. Ingesting large amounts of fertilizer can give your dog a serious digestive upset. Always follow instructions for using fertilizer carefully and wait the appropriate amount of time after use before letting your dog run around.
• Dangerous pesticides. Products used to control insects and weeds in your garden can be very problematic for your dog. Pesticides such as snail bait with metaldehyde and fly bait with methomyl are especially dangerous to your four-legged friend. Make sure to store pesticides in areas where your dog can’t get to them and follow the instructions for use.
For more information on responsible dog ownership, visit the AKC website at www.akc.org.
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