10 Tips to create a dog-safe garden oasis

    

Before you em-“bark” on your spring planting plans, join us as we dive into a dog-safe landscaping and plant guide, ensuring that your backyard retreat—or indoor haven—is as beautiful as it is dog-friendly. 

 

1. Keep the plants off-limits. Fence off your veggie garden to keep your pup away from toxic plants like onions, chives and rhubarb or prickly fruit and vegetables like raspberries or thorny chayotes. Also keep your dog away from potting soil, which may contain fertilizer that could be harmful if eaten. Secure ornamental plants out of your dog's reach by placing them in hanging baskets or raised planters. 
2. Inspection time. Regularly inspect your garden or home for any fallen leaves or fruits that could be toxic or dangerous to your dog.
3. Made in the shade! Provide shade with awnings or umbrellas to prevent overheating on hot days, especially if your yard has a lot of hard surfaces.
4. Mind the mulch. Say no to cocoa bean mulch—it can be as harmful as chocolate if ingested by your dog. Leaves or finely mulched untreated bark or straw are best.  
5. Steer clear of toxic baits. While gophers, moles, slugs and snails may be unwelcome visitors in your garden, baits often contain food ingredients that can be attractive but toxic to dogs, too.
6. Handle herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides with care. Keep your dog safe by following the directions and storing chemicals out of your pet’s reach.
7. Sago palm. These leafy green ornamentals are not just harmful—they're downright dangerous for your dog, so keep them out of your home or garden! Packed with cycasin, a toxin that spells trouble, ingestion can lead to severe liver failure within days. Every part of this plant is toxic, and ingestion can prove fatal without immediate treatment.
8. Oleander. Also known as Nerium, oleander is a frequent sight in outdoor gardens, but many gardeners bring it indoors for the winter. Beware of its hidden danger to dogs! Oleander is loaded with cardiac glycosides. If ingested, these can cause drooling, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rhythms and neurological signs.
9. Hyacinth, daffodils and tulips. Spring blooms from these bulbs may paint our gardens and homes with beauty, but they have hidden toxins. From hyacinth and tulip bulbs causing vomiting and mouth burns to daffodils triggering convulsions and erratic heart rhythms, these floral wonders can pose serious risks. Keep your dog safe by steering clear of these toxic blooms.
10. Chrysanthemums. Pretty fall flowers, chrysanthemums (or mums) can bring more to the table than their vibrant colors. If your dog ingests them, they might end up vomiting and losing their coordination. Luckily, if your dog only had a small taste, it's usually not too serious.

Research plants using the online ASPCA Dog Plant List to identify other potential hazards in your garden or home. The list is long, but fear not! You can still bask in beautiful blooms all summer by opting for dog-friendly plants like marigolds, petunias, sunflowers, spider plants and Boston ferns. With these dog-safe options, your garden will be bursting with color while keeping your companion out of harm's way.

If you believe your dog has eaten a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 right away! 

Have help whenever you need it with 24/7 Live Chat,* where our licensed veterinary professionals are always ready to answer your questions. Download the myVCA™ app. >>
 
*Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.

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