In recent months I have “sort of” taken a leaf out of decluttering guru Marie Kondo’s book. I’m not necessarily keeping only the things in my life that spark joy, but instead I am trying to do more of the things that spark joy. One of the things on that list that does exactly that for me is spending time in my backyard. I get great satisfaction from seeing plants grow and spending time outside in the fresh air. Another thing that I do that sparks joy is spend time with my new pup. So quite naturally I want him alongside me when I’m pottering around doing yardwork. As a newcomer to dog parenthood, I was astounded by the number of backyard hazards for dogs. Some are detailed here so you and your pup can more safely enjoy the garden together.
- Plants – Many plants in the backyard are extremely poisonous for dogs. Azaleas may look stunning in the flower beds but are highly toxic, as are lilies. Even plants such as tomatoes or potatoes can be backyard hazards for dogs. Try to include dog-safe plants and flowers where possible.
- Slugs and snails – Slugs and snails can carry a parasite that causes lungworm in dogs, so it is important to make sure they don’t ingest these creatures. If your dog does manage to eat a snail, keep an eye out for difficulty breathing, lethargy and coughing and contact your veterinarian if you notice your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms.
- Fruit from trees – Fruit sounds like it would be healthy, but there are parts of a fruit (such as the stone) that can be highly toxic if eaten by a dog.
- Pesticides and fertilizers – All of these are highly toxic for a dog. If you need to use them make sure you do so when your dog isn’t likely to be going into the backyard for a while. To store them, it’s best to keep these items in a shed that your dog can’t easily access.
- Compost bins – These often contain vegetable scraps that may start to mold or may not be suitable for a dog to ingest in the first place. Make sure your dog can’t get into the content of the compost bin.
