As the weather warms up many dog owners will want to spend more time outdoors, but there are a number of hazards to watch out for – including some surprisingly popular plants
The names of some plants, for example Poison Ivy and Deadly Nightshade, make it clear to gardeners that they should be approached with caution. But there is a whole range of common garden favourites that dog owners, in particular, should be wary of planting.
BBC expert Monty Don is preparing to launch his pet-friendly RHS and Radio 2 Dog Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show later this month – promising “all the things that dogs love, regardless of horticultural fashion, and a beautiful space”. But as he does, gardeners are being reminded that many plants, while attractive to the eye, can have a devastating effect if chewed by inquisitive pets
Spring into danger
Now that Spring is here, we should be particularly careful of bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, crocuses and bluebells, which can all have a harmful effect on dogs. Many dogs love to dig and puppies, especially, are prone to chewing things that they find – including, sometimes, flower bulbs.
Dog owners should always take care to supervise their pets in unfamiliar gardens. Even Monty’s dog-friendly garden contains a sectioned off area that can only be accessed by dogs when their owners are with them.
Some very popular plants can cause severe, and even life-threatening reactions if chewed by pets. Advice from the Kennel Club warns that dogs can become severely unwell if they even drink water from a vase that has contained daffodils.
Effects from daffodil poisoning can include drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. Dogs may seem sleepy or uncoordinated. In some more severe cases the animal can suffer fits.
Walking in woodland at this time of year, you may help happen upon a glorious carp[et of bluebells. Again, while pleasing to the eye, almost every part of this plant contains a toxin that affects dogs’ hearts.
While bluebells are quite unpleasant-tasting to dogs, and so unlikely to be eaten in large quantities, they have the potential to have a severe, and in rare cases fatal effect.
Tulips are another common springtime favourite. But a toxin found in the bulb can cause severe irritation to a dog’s mouth and digestive system, causing drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. In extreme cases, heart problems and breathing difficulties can develop.
Amateur Gardening magazine warns that there are several other hazards to watch out for, including, at this time of year, barbecue leftovers; discarded skewers off sharp bones can be deadly if they are left where dogs can reach them.
“There have been cases of ash balls in the stomachs of pets that have eaten large amounts of ash covered in meat fat,” warns expert Sue Bradley.
The toxic plant list
Sue listed 14 plants that dogs should be wary of, including popular daffodils, but warned there may be more:
- Deadly nightshade (A tropa belladonna)
- Poison ivy (Rhus toxicodendron)
- Spring bulbs (such as daffodils and snowdrops)
- Azaleas (Rhododendron indicum)
- Elephant ears (Bergenia spp)
- Castor bean (Ricinus communis)
- Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
- Oleander (Nerium oleander)
- Alpine daphne (Daphne alpina)
- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea).
- Holly-leaved hellebore (Helleborus argutifolius)
- Sago palm (Cycas revoluta)
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Two-lobed false hydrangea (Hydrangea bifida).
She also warned that rhubarb leaves and onions can be dangerous for dogs.
Risk factors
Other common garden hazards to look out for at this time of year include mushrooms, toads – which tend to be more active in warmer weather and can secrete dangerous poisons from their skin – and sap from popular trees such as Leylandii.
If you think that your dog may have eaten, touched or inhaled something that it shouldn’t have, speak to your vet straight away.
Never try to make your dog vomit. Trying to do this can cause other complications, which may harm your dog.