How to Make Your Garden Safe for Your Dog

Your yard and garden should be a safe, fun haven for the whole family, and that includes your cuddly dog. Many commonplace garden products can be dangerous and sometimes fatal to dogs. Slug pellets are especially toxic, as are several weed killers, so please, read the instructions carefully and above all, keep these products well out of reach of your pet. If he is unlucky enough to come into contact with something harmful, or you only suspect he has, contact your vet immediately.

Your dog and plants

Many common plants can be poisonous to pets, and some are fatal. If your dog is tempted to root out a bulb, for instance and start chomping away, stop him; they're very dangerous. Here are some other plants that are toxic to dogs, in some cases severely so: foxglove, primrose, yew, ivy, rhubarb, wisteria, lupin, sweet peas, poppy, chrysanthemum, laburuheum.

Your dog and garden tools

If your dog is playing in the yard or garden, never use a lawnmower or weed eater as these can cause severe injuries. Never leave tools with sharp blades and points lying around; if your dog stands on one, he can be badly injured. And to protect you from getting a soaking, don't leave the hose out for him to chew on!

Your dog and water features

Make sure your water features and ponds are covered while your dog is young. He could have trouble getting out of the shallowest water and injure himself or drown.

Your dog and fencing

One of your yard and garden jobs should be to check that your fencing is dog-proof before he can be let out. The last thing you want is for your furry family member to get lost or injured on the roads. And if you are treating or staining the fence, keep your dog away until it is completely dry and remove the cans so he does not try to drink from them.