Spring sunshine means warmer temperatures and more time spent outdoors for you and your dog! However, if you’re lucky enough to have a garden and a furry companion, there are a few common garden dangers for your dog that you should be aware of to keep your dog happy and healthy. 

Watch Out For Mushrooms

Even if you’re not intentionally growing mushrooms in your garden, they may pop up unexpectedly in your yard. While a lot of mushrooms are safe to consume, there are a few varieties that aren’t, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you see mushrooms in your yard, it’s a good idea to remove them so your dog doesn’t ingest them and risk ingesting the wrong kinds.

Avoid Cocoa Mulch

That chocolate-colored mulch that you use for your flower beds can actually make your dog sick! With a chocolate aroma, it can be hard to keep your dog away from cocoa mulch, but it’s in your best interest to do so. If consumed, it may make your dog vomit, have diarrhea, or even worse. Try shredded cedar, pine, or hemlock bark for mulch instead!

Be Careful When Using Fertilizers and Pesticides

Commercial fertilizers often contain chemicals that may be harmful to your dog, and you’ll want to make sure that they stay far out of reach from where your dog could get a hold of them. While small amounts of fertilizer probably won’t hurt, it’s best to just keep your dog away from the lawn after applying fertilizer and minimize its exposure to it.

Choose Dog-Friendly Plants

Although your dog may not have issues with ingesting plants, there are some plants that you might want to avoid just in case it decides to see what they taste like. Unfortunately, many popular spring flowers like daffodils, tulips, azaleas, oleander, amaryllis, sago palm, and the autumn crocus can be dangerous to dogs if consumed. 

While all of these garden dangers are things to stay aware of, if your dog doesn’t eat random plants, these tips might not apply to you. However, it’s always good to consider your pet’s health, and making your garden dog-friendly is an easy way to keep your mind at ease when your dog is playing in your garden or backyard.

If you’re worried that your dog has gotten sick because of something it has eaten in your garden, or if you have any questions about common garden dangers for your dog, don’t hesitate to call Caudle Vet Clinic at (615) 227-6230 to have a checkup as soon as possible. Our team of professional veterinarians and technicians are happy to answer any questions you might have about your dog’s health, and we offer on-site pharmacy, have a state-of-the-art technology and surgery suite, and can even pamper your pet at our bathing and boarding facility.