Spring is here and as the days get warmer and longer,  you are probably spending more time working in your yard weeding, planting and fertilizing.  The warmer weather also means we dogs will be spending time in the yard investigating all the new smells and lounging in the sun.  However, leaving us to wander unsupervised in the yard may not be in our best interest.  If it smells interesting we are probably going to eat it.  Many common outdoor plants and bulbs are toxic to dogs as are some of the fertilizers and pesticides that you use to make your yard lush and green.  Hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrums, english ivy, jasmine, many lilies, fox glove, chrysanthemums and some mushrooms are just some of the plants that are toxic to dogs.  Crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, gladiola and tulip bulbs are also toxic to dogs.  Fertilizers for the grass and plants as well as yard and plant pesticides and weed killers can stick to our paws and be easily ingested when we lick our paws.  Slug bait is tasty to the common canine but very bad for us.

There are some things you can do to make your yard more dog friendly.  The ASPCA website, www.aspca.org,  has a list of outdoor and indoor plants that are toxic to dogs.  Another good source for toxic plant  information is the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) website for pet owners, www.healthypet.com. Try to plant only dog friendly plants in your yard and keep us away from any toxic plants you may have already planted.  When buying fertilizers, pesticides, weed killers and slug bait look for non-toxic, green alternatives.  If you have to apply something to the grass or plants that is not safe for pets,  be sure to keep us off the grass or away from the plants for atleast 24 hours or until the yard has had a good watering so the chemicals can be absorbed by the plants and not us.

If an accident happens and, despite all your precautions, we should happen to eat or get into something we shouldn’t,  immediately call your vet and tell them what we’ve eaten.  They will be able to advise you best on what you should do.  If your vet is not available, the ASPCA has a Poison Control Center which can be reached at 1-888-426-4435.  It’s also a good idea to have the telephone number for the closest emergency veterinary clinic as well.

Happy spring and thanks for making your yard a fun and safe place for us dogs!!!!

With wags and slobbers,

Dallas the Diva Dachsie