Spring has sprung! Be careful with garden products and watch out for these critters

    

The days are getting longer and it’s time for gardeners to dust off their tools, pull on their gloves and start transforming their yards from the browns of winter to all the colors of the rainbow. 

 

 

Whether you need to do garden clean-up or it’s ready to grow, make sure you consider the safety of your dogs—especially if they like to keep you company while you’re busy as a bee in the garden. The following five tips will help keep your dog happy, healthy and safe from poisonous plants, gardening products and all the critters in yard and woods that are also enjoying the change of seasons after a long winter’s nap. 

1. Avoid using slug and snail bait in the garden. Most of these baits contain the active ingredient metaldehyde, which is poisonous to dogs. These baits come in different forms (e.g., pellets, powder, liquid) and often contain bran or molasses to attract slugs and snails. This means that other critters—and your dogs—may be attracted to the bait. Only a small amount needs to be ingested for severe poisoning, so your dog could be poisoned via grooming if the product transfers to their fur when exploring treated areas. Avoid using these products and instead use broken shells, lava rock or other rough materials to deter slugs. If you do use metaldehyde, keep your dogs out of the treated areas for at least two weeks. 
2. Poisonous plants for dogs. Growing a kitchen garden or flowers is a common hobby, and many people spend the long winter months planning their garden for the summer ahead. Research which plants are dog-safe or create an inaccessible area. 
   • Be wary of onions, garlic and chives, which can cause red blood cell destruction and anemia. 
   • Rhubarb leaves can cause kidney failure if consumed in large quantities.
   • Many ornamental plants, such as foxglove, azalea, lilies (including lily of the valley) and sago palms are extremely toxic to dogs.
   • Keep your dog out of potting soil as well, as sometimes this soil comes with fertilizer mixed in that can be hazardous to pets.
   If your dog shows signs of poisoning after nibbling on garden plants, contact your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (1-888-426-4435) right away.
3. Lawn and garden safety. Everyone loves a lush lawn and bountiful flowers, but all those fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides used to create a picture-perfect yard can harm your dog. Fertilizers and herbicides generally cause nothing more than gastrointestinal upset, but some fertilizers contain enough iron to cause harm if eaten. A good rule of thumb is to keep dogs off treated areas until the pesticides and herbicides have completely dried. If your dog wanders across a treated lawn, bathe them and contact your veterinarian for advice on the next steps.
4. Snakes. Spring is the time when snakes also become more active and are more venomous than at other times of the year. Dogs can either step on snakes and surprise them, or are curious and get their faces too close. If you live in an area where snakes are common, take extra care when spending time in your garden with your dog.
5. Speaking of pests… Under all that melting snow, some of the most common pests are lying in wait to hitch a ride with your dog and feed on them. Ask your veterinarian for the best recommendations for heartworm, flea, tick and deworming medications to keep your dog pest free and happy this spring.

Spend more time enjoying the warmer weather knowing your yard is free from springtime hazards! Stay connected with free 24/7 Live Chat* on the myVCA™ app.

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