The snow may still be on the ground in some places, but that doesn’t stop people from swarming the gardening centers at the first hint of spring. For those who love their pets as well as their plantings, it’s essential that garden choices be pet-safe. That’s because dangers can lurk in even the most beautiful of settings, if precautions aren’t taken.
With some simple substitutions and careful use of products, beautiful gardens can be safe for pets to enjoy as well.
Choose plants and mulches that are pet-safe
Many commonly available landscape plants are toxic if ingested by dogs and cats. While offerings vary by region, according to the University of California, Davis1, these plants include lilies, crocuses, sago palms, cyclamen, rhododendrons, chrysanthemums and daisies, and the bulbs, shoots and flowers of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. If you’re in doubt about a plant, Pet Poison Helpline offers an alphabetical listing of most toxins, along with symptoms to watch for.
With so many plants available for both indoor and outdoor applications, it makes more sense to choose pet-friendly options rather than attempt to keep pets out of toxic plantings.
Putting layers of cardboard and mulch around plants preserves water and prevents weeds, but pet families are probably safer passing on aromatic mulches made from cocoa bean hulls. These contain the same compounds as chocolate and seem edible to some pets, especially puppies. And if you compost garden and household green waste, site your bins or piles where pets can’t get to them. Even safe food trimmings can be dangerous once they begin to rot.
Research garden products and follow directions for use
Choose your fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides carefully, and be even more careful about their use. Consider non-toxic products or methods of management such as pulling weeds instead of spraying them, or spraying soap and water on infested areas instead of pesticides to control aphids. For snails and slugs, place boards loosely in shady areas for these pests to hide under, then collect them by hand and put into your trash.
If you do use harsher products to feed, weed and de-bug your plants, make sure you follow directions carefully on how much to use and how long pets should stay out of the area after application. Finally, store all products where pets can’t get to them.
Use power equipment without pets around
Modern maintenance of planted areas would be much more time-consuming without mowers, string-trimmers, leaf-blowers and other electric- or gas-powered garden gear. Manufacturers recommend safety gear for people using such power equipment, but the best advice when it comes to pets is to keep them out of any area where they’re in use.
You don’t want your pet to be injured, or have debris blown into their eyes. Don’t take a chance on it: Put your pet safely inside while you mow, trim or blow.
[1] “10 Garden Plants That Are Toxic to Pets,” https://www.ucdavis.edu/one-health/garden-plants-toxic-to-pets
Add-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petAdd-a-pet
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new pet