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Community Corner

The Yard Could Be Dangerous for Your Dog

Even the most common plants and flowers can be toxic to dogs

Spring is in the air and plants and flowers are in bloom, but you may want to think twice before letting your dog get too close.

Many pet owners don’t realize that some of the most common plants and flowers can be toxic or even fatal to dogs. Even ingesting a small amount of certain toxic plants can cause severe damage to pets.

We must remember that our pets do not know what is, and is not, good for them. I always tell people to think of their dogs as toddlers — they don’t know any better so you must be their eyes and ears. The safest bet is to keep all plants and hazardous materials out of your pets’ reach. 

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Here are some of the more common plants and flowers that are toxic to dogs, according to the ASPCA:

  • Daffodils
  • Azalea
  • Oleander
  • Hyacinth
  • Tulips
  • Cherry Laurel
  • Iris
  • Azalea
  • Foxgloves
  • Buttercup
  • Hibiscus
  • Ivy (some species)
  • Lilies (also extremely toxic to cats)
  • Tulip bulbs
  • Chrysanthemum

Common symptoms that could indicate that your dog is poisoned are excessive drooling, rapid breathing, weakness in the legs, vomiting, fever, dizziness and loss of balance. If you believe your pet has ingested a toxic plant, remove your pet from the area where you think or know the plant was ingested and follow these steps:

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  • Check to make sure your pet is safe: breathing and acting normally.
  • Do not give any home antidotes.
  • Do not induce vomiting without consulting a vet or Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680.
  • If veterinary attention is necessary, bring your pet and the poison to your vet immediately.

During this time of year, many people hire lawn care professionals to help keep our grass healthy. However, if your pooch plays and uses the bathroom on that same lawn, special care needs to be taken to make sure that any lawn sprays used are pet-safe.

Many commercial lawn sprays contain herbicides or pesticides that can be very dangerous for pets. Common fertilizers can also cause allergic reactions in some dogs. Now that spring is upon us it is a good time to switch to organic fertilizers. Fortunately, many landscape companies are becoming more aware of the increasing consumer demand for pet-safe lawns and they are utilizing safe grass treatments.

Need help finding flora that will not harm your furry friends? The ASPCA website has a searchable database for plants that are toxic so pet owners know what plants to avoid.

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