Dog owners are considering how to maintain safe outdoor environments for their pets during the colder months, with search trends revealing more than 14,000 UK searches for “pet-safe plants” in November alone.
However, as snow blankets the ground and gardens are tidied, hidden dangers can rapidly surface, from poisonous bulbs to seasonal berries.
Laura Ward, Pet Nutritionist at natural dog-food brand Green Pantry explains: “Many of the plants that make gardens look seasonal can be harmful to dogs if chewed or eaten.”
Her advice? “A quick winter garden check can prevent an emergency vet visit, especially if you have a curious dog that loves to dig.”
Read on to find out which hidden dangers to dogs could be lurking in your gardens this winter.
Daffodil, crocus and snowdrop bulbs — all of which would have been planted sometime between September and January — have toxic bulbs that can trigger severe illness in dogs.
Daffodils contain toxins that can prove dangerous to pets if eatne. The bulbs and flowers of daffodils contain lycorine and other alkaloids which can trigger digestive upset, excessive drooling, vomiting, and potentially death if consumed in substantial quantities.
Meanwhile, crocus plants contain a poison called colchicine that proves toxic to pets if eaten. Consuming even modest amounts of the toxin can result in vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, fatigue, and potentially death in some pets.
Snowdrops too contain a type of alkaloid known as galantamine, which can be poisonous to pets if consumed in large quantities. Ingesting significant amounts of the plant may lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, and other serious health problems in animals.
Other winter garden plants that pose a risk to dogs during chilly months include holly, mistletoe, and ivy, all of which can cause drooling, vomiting, and stomach upset in pets.
Certain types of mushrooms and toadstools are extremely poisonous for dogs and should be carefully vetted and removed from homes that have pets.
Conkers and acorns, which start falling to the ground in large numbers from autumn through winter, can present a significant choking hazard or cause blockages in the gut. If eaten by dogs, they can also cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and rashes.
Rock salt and grit, de-icing agents widely used across the UK, have a tendency to irritate paws and may induce sickness if licked by pets.
Compost and fertiliser, commonly used in gardens during winter, can also pose a threat to our beloved four-legged companions. Compost often contains mouldy and decaying plants which may harbour traces of tremorgenic mycotoxins, a neurotoxic fungal substance, thus posing a serious risk to pets. If pets consume tremorgenic mycotoxins, they can become ill very quickly, necessitating immediate veterinary intervention.
In fact, dogs are naturally drawn to consuming fertiliser, which triggers vomiting and diarrhoea whilst also causing irritation to their paws. Fertiliser must be kept in secure storage, well away from pets.
Laura says: “If your pets have a tendency to chew plants, avoid any toxic species of plants and trees in your garden. Collect acorns, leaves and berries which fall into the garden. Sweep the garden for mushrooms and toadstools which are growing, and remove them. Some varieties are incredibly poisonous.
“Encourage pets to stay out of flowerbeds to minimise their contact with fertilisers, plant foods, and weed killers. Keep antifreeze, salt and fertiliser sealed and stored off the ground and make sure to rinse your dogs’ paws after walks in gritted areas.
“Walking your dog in winter is still key and being aware of danger on the ground can help pet owners avoid them. Supervising dogs and not letting them pick up berries, mushrooms, sticks (especially of unknown species), and conkers or acorns is advised. Taking a ball, or practising commands like leave it and drop it are useful while out walking.”
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