Spring is springing up everywhere, which means there are lots of new plants popping out of the ground for your canine pal to investigate. It’s easy to keep an eye on your dog while you’re walking together, but if he or she spends time racing around the backyard alone, you may want to pay extra attention as your garden comes to life.
Dogs are curious about everything, and new things popping out of the ground are sure to be of interest. If your dog’s curiosity gets the best of them and they start digging up your flower beds, not only will they be ruining the work you’ve done to keep your garden beautiful, but they could get sick from some of the plants they discover.
Plants That Make Dogs Sick
Spring Bulbs
Pay special attention to spring bulbs such as daffodils, as these can cause a severe reaction in your pet, especially if they consume the bulb part of the plant. Do a quick sweep of the yard to make sure that any bulbs from previous seasons are still well beneath the ground rather than resting near the top of the soil where they’re easy to grab. Tulips are another spring bulb that can cause a reaction, though less severe than that of daffodils.
Edible Plants and Herbs
Also popping up this time of year are edible herbs and plants such as chives and rhubarb. Just as they are for humans, rhubarb leaves are poisonous to pets, so keep the plants in an area that’s difficult for your dog to reach. Chives are such a non-assuming plant that it’s hard to believe they could cause a problem. They’re even used for flavouring in very small doses in some pet foods, but should be avoided in larger quantities.
Shade Lovers
Shade loving plants such as hostas can cause minor indigestion in dogs. If you’re a fan of Breaking Bad then you’ll recall how deadly the shade loving Lily of the Valley can be, and pets are not immune to it’s poison. If your dog ingests this plant, it’s a good idea to take them to the vet immediately for help.
Plants at the Dog Park
Though dog parks don’t have large planting of perennials or herbs, keep a watchful eye on your dog as they romp through the meadow or field. Certain varieties of buttercup grow among the grass and can make your pet sick. Yarrow is another plant that pops up on it’s own, and can cause discomfort.
Assume Most Ornamental Plants will Make your Dog Sick
How sick your dog will get can vary, but there’s no good scenario if they ingest plants from your yard; in the best case, they’ll be a little uncomfortable and you’ll be cleaning up after them, and worst case, you’ll be making an emergency trip to the vet. Keeping a watchful eye on your dog at all times is the best way to ensure their safety as the world comes to life with new smells and sights of spring.
Reactions to all of these plants (and many others) range from drooling and discomfort to increased heart rate, seizures, and death. Because there are so many different reactions to different plants, it’s safest to assume that anything from the garden is likely to make your dog sick; everything from azaleas and hydrangeas to fruit trees and evergreens can have adverse effects on your pet.
For a complete list of the many plants that can make your pet sick if ingested, see the following resources:
HGTV – Protect Your Pets From Harmful Plants
HomesAlive – Dangerous Garden Plants for Dogs