Organic Gardening

If you're a gardener and a pet lover, it's important to know that some plant varieties can be toxic to dogs and cats. Armed with that information, you'll know which varieties to avoid planting when landscaping areas to which your pets will have access. It's knowledge that could save your pet's life -- or at least prevent an unexpected and costly trip to the vet.

Safety Alert: Check with your local poison-control center for a list of plants native to your area that may be poisonous or harmful to your pets. And if your pet exhibits unusual signs of distress, or you suspect that he or she has ingested a poisonous plant or substance, don't take chances--call the vet right away.

Plants and Other Substances That May Be Poisonous to Pets

In general, cats have a more discriminating palette than dogs and tend to have better intuition when it comes to knowing which plants not to munch on--but that doesn't mean they're not susceptible to garden toxins. Dogs, on the other hand, are perpetually curious, tend to explore, and will dig and chew without hesitation.

Veterinary toxicologist Dr. Bob Poppenga provides information to DIY's The Dirt on Gardening on potentially toxic or hazardous plants. Below is a list of some plants, pesticides and other substances you'll want to avoid in order to create a pet-friendly garden.

Cardio-Toxic Plants

A number of plants can cause heart problems or heart failure if ingested by pets. Oleander is one common ornamental plant that contains cardio-toxins. In fact, a single mouthful of the leaf of this plant could kill an average-sized dog. Other common garden varieties that contain cardio-toxins include:

• Foxglove
  
• Lily of the valley
  
• Yew
  
• Kalanchoe

Plants That Can Cause Kidney Failure

• Rhubarb leaves
  
• Shamrock
  
• Certain species of lilies, including Easter lilies and daylilies, are dangerous to cats--though not particularly harmful to dogs.

Plants That Can Cause Multiple Effects

• Autumn crocus - may cause hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, renal, liver damage and bone marrow suppression.
  
• Castor bean - can cause renal failure, liver failure, convulsions and death.
  
• Rhododendron, azalea and rosebay - contain toxins and can cause serious gastrointestinal upset.

Mushrooms, Mold and Fungi

Some mushroom species and cycads (such as sago palms) can cause liver failure. Heavy rains can lead to increased mushroom growth and have been linked to increases in reported poisonings in dogs. It's best to rid mushrooms from your yard whenever you see them.

Here are some things you should know:

• Always assume that any ingested mushroom is highly toxic until a mycologist positively identifies it.
  
• Toxic and non-toxic mushrooms can grow in the same area.
  
• Beware of fungus growth. There is risk of blastomycosis, which can lead to pneumonia-like symptoms and potentially fatal organ damage in dogs. Blastomycosis thrives as mold spores in soil.
  
• Walnuts and walnut husks lying on the ground can become infested with a mold that produces neurotoxins.

Another potential hazard to pets is cocoa hull mulch a popular and commercially prepared garden mulch. Most people know that chocolate contains compounds that can be toxic to dogs, mulch made from cocoa beans contains similarly harmful compounds. The smell and taste of this innocent looking mulch is very appealing to pets, yet it can be deadly because it contains theobromine. Avoid using this type of garden mulch if you have pets.

Non-Toxic Plants

The following plants can be considered pet-safe and generally are good selections for pet-friendly landscaping.

• Bamboo
  
• Blue-eyed daisy
  
• Pampas grass
  
• Common snapdragon
  
• Purple passion vine
  
• Cornflower
  
• Crape myrtle
  
• Spider plant
  
• Spotted laurel
  
• Garden marigold

Pesticides and Your Pet

The most dangerous types of pesticides include snail and slug bait, ant and roach bait, ant and roach traps and mouse baits. Metaldehyde, one of the poisonous ingredients in many baits, is often appealing to dogs. Metaldehyde poisoning can cause increased heart rate, breathing complications and seizures, leading to liver complications and death.

• Eliminating the use of poisonous pesticides and heavy fertilizers is the best way to make your garden safer for your pets.
  
• Pet paws are often irritated by lawn and garden chemicals, and pets can get very ill from inhaling or ingesting chemicals by licking their paws or fur.
  
• Keep pets away from treated areas until the treatments have dried completely.
  
• Use caution when purchasing lawn and garden products, always read the labels (even if you used a particular product in the past, since formulas often change), and consider switching to natural alternatives.
  
• Check with your garden supplier. Many companies now offer pet-safe pesticides and pest deterrents. Mint oil is used in some products that help keep insects away from your plants. Concentrated corn oil is used in some rodent-control products, but is relatively harmless to dogs or cats. Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance that deters insects but is relatively innocuous to pets.

Raise the Beds

Does your yellow lab take pleasure in digging up your newly planted Japanese maple? Do you have a mastiff who makes a bed on top of your ornamental hostas? Here's a simple suggestion: elevate. Planting raised beds is one way to discourage destructive digging and keep your prized plants "out of sight and out of mind" when it comes to your four-footed friends.

Raised beds may also be effective in keeping potentially harmful plants less accessible to pets. Wooden raised bed , elevated to a level of 18 inches, keep plants above "paw level," and it's easier to train most dogs to stay out of a raised bed than ones at ground level. Rock borders can also be used to create barriers or raise the level of beds.

Provided by DIY Network - http://www.diynetwork.com

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