Is your backyard garden safe for your puppy?

Your garden should be a safe and enjoyable place for your entire family, including your puppy. Many garden tools can be dangerous and sometimes even fatal to dogs. Fertilizers are especially toxic, as are some herbicides, so read the directions carefully and keep these items out of your pet’s reach. If your puppy has been in contact with anything like this, or you have any suspicions, contact your veterinarian immediately. 

Your puppy and plants

Many common plants can be poisonous to pets, and some are even deadly. If, for example, your puppy is tempted by some bulb, dug it up and started chewing, stop him – such plants are very dangerous. Here is a list of some plants that are toxic and sometimes fatal to dogs: foxglove, primrose, yew, ivy, rhubarb, wisteria, lupine, sweet pea, poppy, chrysanthemum. 

Your puppy and garden tool

If your puppy is playing in the garden, never use a lawn mower or strimmer – this can lead to serious injury. Never leave tools with a sharp blade or ends on the ground – your puppy can be seriously injured if he steps on them. And never leave a hose in his reach – unless you want to be flooded.

Your puppy and water

Keep water containers and ponds covered until your puppy is older. He can get hurt getting out of even the shallowest body of water, not to mention the possibility (God forbid) to drown. 

Your puppy and fences

One of your gardening jobs will be to test the strength of your fences before your pet gets out. You don’t want it to get lost or injured on the road. If you use wood preservatives such as creosote, don’t let your puppy get close to the fence until the stain is dry, and even more so don’t leave cans of antiseptic open so he won’t drink it.