The beautiful flowers and plants that the spring season brings can be very dangerous to your four-legged friend if ingested. A little extra planning can give you a garden that both you and your dog will love. Here are our dog-friendly gardening tips:
Poisonous plants. There are many common flowers and plants that are dangerous for dogs, and can even prove fatal. The unsafe part could be in the flower, fruit, roots, or leaves. Do your research before planting anything to see what could potentially harm your dog. Some plants to avoid are Calla Lilies, Sago Palm, Azalea, and Rhododendron, among others.
Thorn in your side. While roses are beautiful flowers, the thorns can seriously injure your dog. Be mindful of plants with thorns and either leave them out of your garden or try and block your dog’s access to them.
Keep plant food away from dogs. Fertilizer may keep your plants and grass healthy, but it can be harmful to your dog. Ingesting large amounts of fertilizer can cause your dog to have serious digestive upset. Follow instructions for using fertilizer carefully and wait the appropriate amount of time after use before letting your dog run around.
Dangerous pesticides. Pesticides in your garden can cause major problems for your dog. Snail bait with metaldehyde and fly bait with methomyl are especially dangerous for your four-legged friend. Make sure to store pesticides in areas where your dog cannot get to them and follow the instructions for use.
Read more of our tips in The Bellingham Herald and the Sun-Herald.