Doggone Etiquette —

Garden Dangers

 

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:           

Your wonderful VIPeople feed you every day, and no doubt add plenty of treats in between times because you are such a good dog. (I’m glad you agree with me.) Now comes a warning to all dogs — good or bad, and even those of you who are sometimes good and bad. When it comes to putting anything in your mouth to eat, take only the foods and treats that come from the hands of those important people in your life. It’s simply good doggy manners. It also could save your life. You don’t eat people-food that happens to drop on the floor because it could be okay for people and harmful for you dogs. (That’s Reason No. 1 to stay out of the garbage!) Let’s have a look at some edible dangers for dogs that are outdoors.                    

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:

Soon (we hope!) the weather will be cooling down a bit and many of us will get back to working in the garden. Of course, that also means that your head gardener (Rufus the Reaper) will be at your side, or more likely behind your back. A dog can be good company, especially for a solitary gardener. It’s someone to talk to, and whom, when asked, will always agree with your decision to put which plants where.

Of course, a dog is invariably fascinated by our method of digging — with tools, when we’ve got perfectly good paws. If Rufus tries to show you how he could do a better, quicker job of digging up the plants, it’s time for a very firm correction. The same goes for any “assistance” offered in the way of disposing of plastic flower pots. Stop and consider how long he’s been very good, staying beside you and helping simply with his presence; then take time out for a bit of play. A few rounds of ball-chasing will let the dog settle down and you can get on with the gardening.

In spring, and now again in the fall, it is extremely important for all dog owners to be aware of ordinary plants in the garden that are dangerous when ingested by dogs. Lots of dogs nibble grass, and some go beyond nibbling to mowing it. The danger is not in the grass, but in the chemicals we use rather freely on lawns and plants. Read labels. Here are the names of just a few plants, together with possible health problems they can cause when eaten, or just chewed on, by our pets.

Azalea and laurel bushes and most flowering bulbs (tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, and narcissus) can cause abdominal pain and vomiting. Rhododendron and Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) are toxic, as is Rose of Sharon, mainly affecting the mouth and throat. At this time of year, watch the dog near chrysanthemums. The damage to a dog having eaten mushrooms can range from abdominal pain to liver and kidney damage. Yews (Taxus species) cause gastroenteritis and cardiovascular collapse. Lily of the Valley is another plant that causes heart problems.

Know the names of the plants in your garden and if your dog has ingested anything — any plant at all — in your garden, don’t wait for a possible problem. Call your vet immediately with the name of the plant, approximately how much you think the dog may have eaten, when he ate it, and any effects you’ve noticed. If your vet can’t be reached, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center is open 24/7 at 888-426-4435. A consultation fee of $65 may be applied to your credit card. There’s also a great deal of information and help on their web.

When you purchase plants, it pays to keep those tags that describe the plant (often giving its Latin name) for future reference. Also, be careful when you’re pruning plants and bushes to pick up and safely dispose of all the pieces.

Until next time – BE GOOD!

- Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.