Tip of the Month: It's Time To Dig In The Dirt!
If you're anything like me, you can hardly wait to get into the dirt and start planting some colourful flowers for your decorative boxes and gardens! My dogs often accompany me and help dig (sometimes way too helpful!),playing with the weeds and clumps of dirt and occasionally uproot the odd plant or bulb, just for fun! Most dogs love to dig in the dirt! Unlike prey animals, dogs actually have zero instinct to know what plants are dangerous for them and what to avoid and sometimes... curiosity gets the best of them when it comes to sampling buried treasures! Is what you're about to plant safe for yourdog's excavations?
While stocking up on your flowering plants and bulbs, please be aware of the plants that can do your dogs harm if they take their playful adventures to an intriguing snack. Many bulbs and some flowers are toxic enough to make your dog sick to their stomach while others are very poisonous and can do serious harm to your dog, if ingested. Note that if you know or suspect your dog has eaten a toxic plant do not induce vomiting as this may cause more damage – call your vet right away. Here is a quick planting list for review to help you keep your dog's gardening interests healthy, fun and safe.
Flowers that are toxic and/or harmful for dogs (there is quite a lot!):
Most bulbs including: Daffodils, Tulips, Lilies (including Calla Lily),Iris, Dahlia, Peony, Gladiola, Lily of the Valley, Pansy, Crocus, Primrose, Rhubarb, Azaleas, Hydrangea, Hyacinth, Lavendar, Morning Glory, Clematis, Oleander, Alyssum, Sweet Pea, Begonia, Carnation, Cannabis, Pink Dianthus, Sweet William, Coleus, Chrysanthemums, Cosmos, Gardenia, Geranium, Foxglove
Please make an extra plan to plant these flowers out of reach of your dog or protected from their access to them. Planting flowers in baskets out of reach, raised boxes or adding a dog fence around their beautiful garden presentation may save your dog a lot of physical stress and you a vet bill! Happy gardening!
For more dog health and training tips, visit Ask The Trainer. Ask me about dog-owner training today as well!