I have been spending a lot of time outside in the garden with my dogs and cat trying 'help' me plant things. The cat usually just lies in the way, but the dogs have fun taking and chewing the plastic flower pots and sticking their noses into everything. Gardening can be enjoyable for you and your pets, but there are some hazards to be aware of.
Heat stroke
The warm, sunny weather brings everyone outside. When I am gardening, it is usually during the warmest part of the day. The dogs like to follow me around and lie next to me in the sun. If it is too hot outside, I put them in the house to keep cool. I also make sure that their water dishes are full. I also put ice cubes in the water, which they like to take out of the dish and chew. Dogs are unable to sweat to cool themselves down, so they pant. If they are outside in direct sunlight on hot days, they can get heat stroke. Animals can also get sunburn. White parts of cats and short-coated dogs can get burned, so if you are bringing your pets outside, put sunscreen on the white areas, such as ear tips and top of nose.
Plant toxicity
Many plants toxic to dogs and cats are in our gardens. Leaves, berries, bulbs, bark, sap, roots, and seeds can all be potentially fatal to pets. The ASPVA has posted a comprehensive list of toxic (and non-toxic) plants and trees on its website (http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/). Symptoms of plant toxicity range from drooling, blisters on the tongue and mouth, swelling of the face, rashes, vomiting, diarrhoea, depression or excitement, to kidney failure, seizures, coma, and death.
Pest Control
I seem to be waging a constant battle against slugs and insects. Slug pellets and insecticides are lethal to pets and wildlife. If ingested, slug pellets and insectides can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, nervousness, twitching, seizures, coma, and death. Avoid using any chemicals for pest control -- use organic methods instead. To control slugs, keep a tidy garden by removing all dead plant matter and eliminating dark, cool places for slugs to lay eggs and hide. You can also place crushed egg shells, diatomaceous earth, or wood ashes around flower beds. And don't forget your potted plants -- place copper tape on them to repel slugs. If you're an early riser, like me, you can go out and pick slugs and snails off your plants and put them in a jar with soapy water to kill them. Beer traps are great for attracting and killing slugs, but you have to be vigilant about cleaning and filling them. Attracting birds and hedgehogs to your garden will also help with slug and insect control.
There are many natural ways to kill insects such as aphids, caterpillars, beetles, and ants. You can make sprays of diluted soap, garlic, cayenne pepper, or vinegar. You can also place coffee grounds in flower beds. Even with these natural methods, you have to be careful with your pets because garlic and coffee are toxic. Monitor them when they are in the garden.
Weed Control
I think I spend a majority of my time weeding my garden. I never use commercial weed killers because they are toxic to pets. Symptoms of toxicity include salivation, vomiting, diarrhoea, kidney failure, breathing difficulty, and death. There are many ways to get rid of weeds aside from pulling them out. Pouring boiling water on weeds will kill them instantly. Be careful not to pour it on your plants, pets, or yourself! You can also spray vinegar on weeds, but you may have to apply it a few times to get rid of really stubborn ones. Salt can control weeds on large areas such as brick paths or patios. You can make a spray using all three ingredients and apply it to the base of the weed with a baster. Add some liquid soap to your mixture to help it to stick.
Be aware that even if you haven't used any insecticides, slug bait, weed killer, or fertilizer, your neighbors might. Keep your pets out of other people's gardens to avoid contact with these products. Your dog or cat can walk through a treated area and get the substance on their paws. They may lick it off and get very sick.
Fertilizers
Along with the other products that I have mentioned, commercial fertilizers are toxic to pets. There are many ways to feed your plants naturally. Although it may be smelly, manure is great for fertilizing plants because it is high in nitrogen, which plants need. Recycle your vegetable matter and make a compost heap or get a wormery to make your own fertilizer. Keep your dogs out of your compost heap because decaying vegetable matter can make them sick.
Ponds and Water Features
There is nothing nicer than having a pond or water feature in your garden. It attracts birds and wildlife and is relaxing to look at and listen to. Dogs and cats are also attracted to them to drink from or to swim in. Pets can fall into ponds or water features and depending on the style, be unable to get out. They can drown. If your pet falls into your pond in the cooler months, it can get hypothermia. I have a pond, but it is in a separate area of the garden so the dogs do not have access to it. Always supervise your pets around water features and ponds to avoid disaster.
I hope that you follow my advice and enjoy the summer outside with your pets safely!
