Pet-Friendly Gardening: Safe Plants and Toxic Ones to Avoid

While gardening can be a wonderful and calming hobby for many, it is essential to know which plants are good to have around your pets, as some can be very harmful to the health of animals. That is, unless you have pets – then it can be a little more difficult to make your garden totally dog-friendly. So why is it OK to grow and host countless plants in our garden (and even at home) that are deadly toxic if ingested? But with so much pet-friendly plant choice for the garden, there is no need to let this put you off. This guide will provide you with the ins and outs of how to make that transition into pet-friendly garden mode so everyone in your household can safely use the yard.

Poisonous Plant Concerns: Plants to Avoid Make sure these bad plants are not already settling into your plot! Because of this, pets are likely to explore their surroundings and then nibble on plants. However, these plants can cause as little discomfort as mild gastrointestinal upset or actual organ damage and death. In this section, we will look at some of the most common indoor poisonous plants for cats you should avoid:

• Lilies: Lilies, although beautiful flowers, are extremely toxic to a cat. Lily toxicity is fatal in even small ingestions and causes kidney failure. Never plant a lily if you have cats.
• Oleander: Oleander is EXTREMELY toxic and a serious danger for dogs and cats. Exposure to any part of this plant or the smoke from it can cause serious symptoms such as heart problems, vomiting, and even death.
• Azaleas and Rhododendrons: Another common fall plant, these broadleaf evergreens can make pets vomit or drool, have diarrhea, or get heart failure if ingested. Some plants mentioned in this list may be only slightly toxic, but even limited consumption can cause severe illness, so leave these plants out of your pet-friendly garden.
• Sago Palm: Sago palm, a striking addition to the garden, is very dangerous to all domesticated animals. Consuming any part of this plant is potentially lethal and can lead to liver failure and death, most notably the seeds.
• Foxglove: Tall plant spikes with colorful flowers, foxglove is treacherously dangerous for pets. If eaten, it can lead to a range of severe symptoms from heart arrhythmia to vomiting or even death. Keep this plant away from pets with curious mouths.

Pet-Safe Plants for Your Garden Now that you know the plants to be aware of, here are a few that spice up your backyard life and keep your pets out of danger.

• Rosemary: This fragrant herb is safe for dogs and cats, so it's a great garden choice. It has woody stems and needle-like leaves, which most animals find unappetizing.
• Marigolds: Bright, long-lasting, and pet-friendly flowers. They also repel some pests, which makes marigolds one of the best additions to a pet-friendly garden. Marigolds prefer full sun with well-drained soil and add color to your garden.
• Snapdragons: Pet-safe flowers in a range of gorgeous colors. They are easy to grow and add height to garden beds. Snapdragons are another great garden plant.
• Sunflowers: Dog and cat safe, sunflowers are different from a lot of the other plants in that they grow tall. Just be careful with the seeds, as they can be a choking hazard for animals.
• Lavender: Aromatic and pet-safe plant that calms animals. It can soothe animals and create a complementary environment in your garden. Lavender likes well-drained soil and full sun.
• Petunias: These beautiful, low-maintenance flowers are pet-friendly. They are ideal for baskets, window boxes, or garden beds, and they bloom all season long!

Creating a Clean Pet-Friendly Garden In addition to selecting the best plant varieties, there are various other concerns to address to confirm your garden is safe for pets:

• Protect Your Garden: Make certain your yard is fenced in properly, not merely to prevent your furry buddies from escaping, but also to keep them out of dangerous areas that contain poisonous plants or risky substances such as fertilizers.
• Mulch Type: Think about the type of mulch you use. Cocoa mulch, which is made from small pieces of cocoa beans, contains theobromine and caffeine, which can be harmful to pets. With pet-safe mulches, cedar, pine, or untreated wood chips are great choices.
• Water Safety: Be judicious with your water features. If you have a pond or water feature, make sure the water is pet-safe, tested regularly, clean, chemical-free, and has a shallow area for pets to cool off safely.
• Watch out for Chemical Pesticides: Most pest and weed killers are not pet-friendly. Consider natural pet-safe options instead.

How Best to Create a Pet-Friendly Garden Education is the foundation of any well-designed pet-friendly garden. Familiarize yourself with the various plants in your garden, keep a regular eye out for new or dangerous plants, and train your pets to avoid certain areas. Positive reinforcement with treats and praise can help in some cases. Always monitor your pets when they're out in the garden, especially if they tend to chew on plants. If you think your pet has eaten something poisonous, call your veterinarian.

Just because you have a pet-friendly garden doesn't mean you can't still have variety or beauty. You can grow a beautiful garden with some simple precautions and by choosing nontoxic plants. A pet-friendly garden is a place where both you and your animals can rest, explore, and enjoy nature together.