A Garden Your Pup Will Love
The Best Dog-Friendly Garden
A Helpful Guide
It seems like more than ever, people have been interested in learning how to garden and keep plants. Whether for aesthetic purposes, as a relaxing and fun hobby, or in efforts to have a more nutritious and sustainable diet, there are a plethora of excellent reasons to start curating your perfect garden.
However, for pet owners it is crucial that before starting any gardening, or planting any new species of plant, we do our research on what is pet safe versus poisonous or harmful to their health.
In this article you will learn about toxic versus nontoxic plants including flowers, shrubbery, fruits, and vegetables. A garden that thrives year-round is one that contains an ecosystem filled with a variety of species, all working together to create a harmonious botany that will be fruitful and beautiful the entire year. Keep reading to find out how to upgrade your garden while keeping your pups safe and healthy.
Toxic Plants
Fruits
Avocado: The main reason why avocado is a no-go for your pup, and potentially your garden, is because the entire fruit contains persin which is a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme stomach upset in dogs.
However, since they grow on trees it is unlikely that your pup would be affected unless the avocados drop to the ground. If you choose to plant an avocado tree in your garden, take care to make sure any fallen avocados are picked up promptly.
Cherries: Cherries contain cyanide (mostly in the pit) which is extremely poisonous to dogs. Ingestion of cherry seeds can result in extreme respiratory and gastrointestinal issues. When ripe, cherries can easily fall onto the ground and can pose a risk for your dogs which is why a cherry tree may not be ideal for a garden welcome to pets.
Grapes: As many pet owners know, grapes can be very toxic and dangerous for our furry friends. Ingestion of grapes can lead to extreme stomach upset, kidney failure, and even death. Grape plants are especially dangerous in your garden because of how accessible the fruit is growing on the vine.
Tomatoes: Specifically, the green part of the plant (stems and leaves) contain a toxin call solanine which can cause moderate to severe stomach upset in dogs. While the red pulpy fruit is generally safe for consumption, if you believe your dog may get into the plant itself, it may be a good idea to either avoid planting tomatoes, or planting them in a tall planter off of the ground with mesh protecting the plant.
Vegetables
Asparagus: Raw asparagus has the potential to be an extreme chocking hazard to dogs as it can be very fibrous and hard to swallow. The texture makes it hard to not only chew, but difficult to digest as well; dogs can experience extreme stomach upset including vomiting and diarrhea. In more sever cases, it can cause an intestinal blockage which requires veterinary attention.
Onion, Garlic, Leeks, & Chives: All vegetables in the onion and garlic family are toxic to dogs and pose an extreme risk of illness. These vegetables contain thiosulfate and
disulphide which are chemical compounds that cause extreme gastrointestinal upset as well as hemolytic anemia. Hemolytic anemia is caused by rupturing blood cells, which decreases the amount of oxygen that is carried to vital organs.
Symptoms of this typically start anywhere between 12 hours to 3 days after consumption and include pale gums, rapid breathing, lethargy, weakness, jaundice, and dark urine. If you notice these symptoms in your dog, it is best to seek veterinary help immediately.
Potato & Rhubarb Leaves: The leaves of these root vegetables contain a chemical called solanine, which has the potential to cause serious illness or even death. Solanine poisoning in dogs can cause moderate to severe symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, trembling, headache, delirium, dilated pupils, dizziness, drooling, and fever.
In some cases, it can even cause neurological problems, intestinal blockages, kidney failure, as well is cardio and respiratory issues. If you are concerned that your dog may eat or chew on the plants in your garden, it is best to avoid planting these vegetables.
Wild Mushrooms: While some varieties of mushrooms purchased at the supermarket are generally safe for dogs, wild mushrooms pose an extreme threat to your pets wellbeing. It is best to avoid growing wild mushrooms and to prune them as soon as you find them amongst your garden. They contain a variety of toxic chemical compounds that can cause extreme stomach upset, organ failure, and even death.
plants
Disclaimer: This is NOT an exhaustive list of all toxic plants for pets, these are some of the most common plants that are grown in gardens and households that pose potential threat to your pets. You should always do your own research before introducing a new species of plant into your home.
Aloe: This extremely common plant is unsuspecting, however has great potential to cause illness in your pets if ingested. One of the reasons it is dangerous for pets is because it contains Saponins, molecules that lower a dog's blood sugar, which can lead to coma or death. This plant also contains glycosides called Anthraquinones which are metabolized by bacteria in the intestines, causing an increase in mucus and water in the colon leading to vomiting and diarrhea. Aloe also naturally contains latex which can cause irritable stomach and intestines. Other symptoms of Aloe poisoning are Lethargy, Depression, Anorexia, Changes in urine color, and Tremors.
Ivy (many varieties): While extremely common to find throughout neighborhood gardens, Ivy (most varieties) can pose a threat to our furry friends. It contains dangerous amounts of chemicals called saponins and polyacetylene compounds that can be harmful to dogs if ingested. These substances are found in all parts of the plant, but are most concentrated in the leaves. Ingestion of ivy can lead to gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and drooling. Skin contact with the sap can also cause irritation, redness, blistering, coughing, and watery eyes.
Lilies, Azaleas, & Tulips: This group of flowers, while beautiful, can be extremely toxic to your dog (and cat!). These flowers have the potential to cause extreme harm including vomiting, stomach upset, skin irritation, oral irritation, lethargy and muscle weakness, seizures and neurological problems, as well as heart problems. While this blog focuses on gardening for dog owners, we know that many dog owners also love cats; it is important to know that these flowers can cause kidney failure and possible death in cats! These plants are considered extra dangerous; even the smallest amount of exposure could harm your furry friends in an extreme way.
Sago Palm: Sago palm is highly toxic to dogs and can be fatal if ingested. All parts of the plant, including the seeds, fronds, and trunk, are poisonous. If you suspect your dog has ingested sago palm, seek immediate veterinary care. Sago Palm toxicity can include gastrointestinal upset, lethargy and weakness, liver damage or failure, bleeding through nose, urine, or stool, and neurological problems. It is best to not have this plant around at all!
Jade Plant: This cute succulent may seem innocent in look, but it is actually quite harmful to dogs! It is still being studied as to why this plant is harmful, scientists have not come to any legitimate conclusions yet. However, ingestion of jade plant leaves can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and loss of coordination. If you are a big fan of this plant, you may be able to keep it in small pots that stay out of reach of your pets, however it is always the best idea to play things on the safe side and substitute for a safe plant!
ZZ Plant: This common houseplant is surprisingly toxic to dogs! The sap of the plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation and burning in the mouth, as well as drooling and vomiting. The ZZ plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which are the primary cause of the irritation.
Corn Plant: Another common household plant, also known as Dracaena fragrans, are toxic to dogs. Ingesting the plant can cause symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, and excessive salivation. The corn plant contains saponins, which are natural toxins.
Some Dog-Friendly Plants
fruits
Safe fruits to grow and feed your pup include: Apples, Strawberries, Blueberries, Bananas, Blackberries, Cantaloupe, Cranberries, Cucumber, Kiwi, Mango, Oranges, Pineapple, Pumpkin, Raspberries, Watermelon, Pear, and Peach.
vegetables
Safe Vegetables to grow and feed your pup include: Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Celery, Green Beans, Peas, Spinach, Bell Pepper, Squash & Zucchini, Cabbage, Lettuce, Cauliflower, and Sweet Potato.
plants
Plants that are safe to grow in your dog-friendly garden include:
Flowers: Lavender, Marigolds, Roses, Sunflowers, Zinnias, Snapdragons, Petunias, Shasta Daisies, Coral Bells, and African Violets.
Herbs: Basil, Thyme, Sage, Cilantro, Dill, Parsley, Rosemary, and Chamomile.
Plants & Succulents: Spider Plant, Prayer Plant, Cast Iron Plant, Parlor Palm, Boston Fern, Peperomia, Calathea, Money Tree, Areca Palm, Hoya Krimson Queen, Bamboo, Echeveria, Sedum, Lithops, and Zebra Plant.
Conclusion
While this list of safe versus non-safe plants is NOT exhaustive, we hope that this article gave you some helpful insight on how to start, and possibly change, your garden this year! Having a garden can bring so much joy, beauty, and peace to your home for both you and your pets. We just want to make sure that the plants that we have in our gardens are safe and non-toxic to our furry friends to avoid any illness, injury, and trips to the vet! If there are verities of plants not listed here that you are interested in, make sure to do your due diligence as a pet owner and research about the plant before purchasing. It is also a great idea to ask your local gardening center for help in navigating pet-safe options! Happy gardening!
Written by, Jessica L Hays
Community Outreach, Social Media, & Dog Walker
references
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