Composting is a great way to minimise waste, and provide a boost for your garden. With warmer temperatures on the way, lots of green thumbed Brits are getting out in the garden and using their compost to fertilise flowerbeds and plant new flowers. However, inside compost there is a hidden danger that few people realise. The strong scent of compost is hugely tempting for dogs – but your four legged friend could get extremely sick from it.
This is because decaying organic matter in compost can contain fungi that produce mycotoxins – potent toxins that can trigger muscle tremors and seizures in dogs.
Coffee grounds, mouldy food and garden waste are extremely risky to dogs. The symptoms of acute compost toxicity usually appear within half an hour to three hours after your ept consumes the compost. This can include agitation, overheating, vomiting and drooling, panting, tremors and seizures. Even a small amount can be fatal, so it’s crucial to take your dog to the vet immediately if you suspect they have eaten compost.
Compost can also create intestinal blockages in dogs if there are foods that have not properly broken down.
A spokesperson for GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “Composting is a really environmentally friendly way to recycle kitchen waste and it provides fantastic nutrients for your soil and plants – but while it’s great for your garden, it could be harmful to your dog.
“Dogs can be very attracted to the smell of decaying food material, so the risk can be high if they’re left near a bag of compost or a compost pile unattended.
“Avoiding items known to be toxic to dogs and opting for pet-safe mulches are simple but effective ways to keep your garden safe.
“If you suspect your dog has ingested compost, contact your vet immediately, even if they’re not showing symptoms yet.”
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