If you have a dog, you’re used to keeping them away from possibly poisonous plants and food items in the home. The chocolate chip cookies are out of reach, and you go running when a grape accidentally rolls across the floor. You know that a snake plant isn’t the ideal houseplant for Fido. But did you know there are toxic plants that could be lurking in the garden?
Unfortunately, your dog probably doesn’t know which plants to stay away from (wouldn’t that make life easier?), and you could have flowers planted throughout your garden that look beautiful but are hiding toxins in plain sight.
Want to make sure your garden is as safe as possible for your pooch? Here are the seven plants you should not have in your garden if you have a dog.
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Foxglove is one of the prettiest spring blooms, transforming a garden into an English cottage-inspired retreat. But it also has a reputation for being surprisingly poisonous.
“Foxgloves are toxic to dogs, cats, wild animals, and even humans,” Laura Lombardi, also known as the Weekend Gardener, says. “They contain toxic cardiac glycosides that, if ingested, can result in severe poisoning, which can even be fatal.”
Lombardi recommends avoiding foxgloves in any part of your garden that will have dogs roaming free. Instead, zinnias or snapdragons can add similar height and color without the toxicity risk.
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Azaleas are a beloved bloom, filling the Southern United States with abundant and colorful flowers throughout the early spring. But those blossoms come with a risk.
“It can sometimes surprise people when they find out azaleas are poisonous to pets,” Lombardi says. “They contain grayanotoxins, which can disrupt regular muscle and nerve function, sometimes causing serious and even fatal side effects.”
To get a similar look in the garden without tempting curious pups, try planting camellias, which thrive in a similarly partially shaded environment and acidic soil.
“They are also evergreen and have a very similar look with the dark, glossy leaves, and come in a variety of bloom colors and sizes.”
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Rhododendrons are often confused with azaleas, and both come from the same larger family. It makes sense that rhododendrons would be similarly toxic to dogs, known for the same grayanotoxins that you’ll find in azaleas.
Lombardi also suggests camellias as a pet-friendly alternative to growing rhododendrons in your yard. Both will reach heights of over 20 feet when left unpruned.
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Sago palm is a low-growing conifer that can make your yard feel like a resort, but there is a major risk if you’re dog ingests any part of this plant. If you catch any leaves or fruit drops, grab them as quickly as possible.
“Every part of this plant is toxic, especially the seeds. Even a small amount can cause liver failure in dogs,” says Andrew Connolly, founder of Little Flower Cottage.
Instead, he suggests planting a dwarf palmetto, which gives off the same tropical vibe, but without the risk to your pooch.
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You might love the idea of planting the pretty pink blooms of oleander throughout your garden, but if you have pets or children, you should think twice. This plant is incredibly dangerous to dogs and humans alike.
“Oleander is pretty but deadly,” Connolly says. “If your dog eats as little as a leaf or two, it can lead to heart arrhythmia.”
Connolly suggests planting butterfly bush, which has a brilliant purple color, but comes without the risk of accidentally causing harm to your dog.
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When you’re planting your vegetable garden, you probably give much thought to whether it’s safe for your pet. And, in most cases, you shouldn’t worry. But there are a few edible plants that are entirely safe for humans but dangerous for dogs.
“Onions, a member of the allium family, are toxic to canines and can cause gastrointestinal upset and, in some cases, damage red blood cells,” says Kiera Faulkner Jekos, garden designer and educator at Gardenwell.
Instead, try planting dog-friendly herbs like thyme or parsley, or Faulker Jekos suggests growing chives as an onion alternative, since they can be easily grown in containers far out of reach of your pup.
Getty Images / Andrii Zorii
Potatoes might seem unassuming, but these sneaky spuds are actually toxic to dogs. The green parts that you’ll find above the soil are the most problematic part and the most accessible to your curious pets.
“Potato greens and stems contain solanine, a compound that can make dogs seriously ill,” Faulkner Jekos says. “Stick to sweet potatoes instead. They’re unrelated botanically, and their vines are generally considered non-toxic.”
Read the original article on The Spruce