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Help!!! Need advice choosing dog friendly plants/hedges?

matthewjohn0309matthewjohn0309 Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi Everyone

Me and my wife are currently in the process of getting a puppy and designing our garden and i am looking for ideas in regards to plants and hedges that are not toxic to dogs. There is a lot of conflicting information online some plants i have researched say that they are toxic and on other sites they are not toxic, so i was hoping that if i ask gardeners you might be able to help me.

We are looking for plants for borders on either side of our garden and also we are looking for a hedge that can be shaped and cut low to edge round our patio. I have liked Boxwood for a while as these are good for shaping but i have found out these are toxic, so if you could pass on any guidance it would be appreciated.

Many Thanks :)

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    There are lots of threads on the forum along the same lines.
    I've had 2 dogs over 20+ years  - both rescued and around 2yrs when I got them and I have a number of toxic plants - I've never had a problem relating to poison.
    The nose of a dog is amazingly sensitive and the only things they're sniffing for is food and other unmentionable stuff!
    Toxic plants invariably taste very, very bitter so are of no interest to dogs.
    The only thing my dogs have ever eaten in the garden is grass and all my runner beans up to about 3ft!
    If you're getting a puppy they will experiment, so it's worthwhile keeping an eye on what they're munching on, but whilst they may nibble something toxic they won't like it and won't try again.
    Older dogs seem to know instinctively what not to eat.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • scrogginscroggin Posts: 437
    As @Pete.8 has said I wouldn't worry about your dog in the garden from the point of eating any toxic plants. It's much more likely to eat something it shouldn't in the kitchen i.e chocolate, grapes etc because these are sweet and appealing.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I completely agree - the kitchen is the most dangerous place for dogs especially puppies.
    So ensure what is toxic in that respect.
    Any grapes and derivatives (currants etc), proper chocolate, onions etc etc


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • matthewjohn0309matthewjohn0309 Posts: 2
    Pete.8 said:
    There are lots of threads on the forum along the same lines.
    I've had 2 dogs over 20+ years  - both rescued and around 2yrs when I got them and I have a number of toxic plants - I've never had a problem relating to poison.
    The nose of a dog is amazingly sensitive and the only things they're sniffing for is food and other unmentionable stuff!
    Toxic plants invariably taste very, very bitter so are of no interest to dogs.
    The only thing my dogs have ever eaten in the garden is grass and all my runner beans up to about 3ft!
    If you're getting a puppy they will experiment, so it's worthwhile keeping an eye on what they're munching on, but whilst they may nibble something toxic they won't like it and won't try again.
    Older dogs seem to know instinctively what not to eat.
    Ok thankyou very much i will bare all of that in mind i was looking at hedges wise: 'Griselinia Littoralis', 'Elaeagnus x Ebbingei' or 'Camellias'.

    Also in regards to plants things like: 'snapdragons', 'Centaurea Cyanus', 'Asters', 'Calendulas', 'Impatiens' & Lavender plants as a start.

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I'd be happy with any of the plants in your list in my garden with my dog :) so I don't think you have anything to worry about.
    If it's a male, he'll piddle on some of them which may kill them unless you rush out and dilute it.
    If it's a bitch you'll get a join-the-dots lawn - like mine 🙄

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Toxicity isn't just yes/no - it's a range from extremely toxic things that could kill the pup if he/she nibbles on it, e.g. Aconitum napellus, to things that might give them a mild upset tummy. Probably best to avoid the very toxic stuff until you've trained them not to chew on plants.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    My neighbour is a vet and in decades of experience has never been presented with a cat that has eaten anything toxic, and just two or three times with dogs, always inquisitive puppies who knew no better but ate such small amounts as not to be badly troubled.
    Rutland, England
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/keeping-your-garden-dog-friendly

    This may give you some ideas  :)
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I would agree with the above. The most dangerous things for dogs eating them are small plastic items which they can break up and swallow, small plastic toys from children, bit of wire, socks, remote controls, pop socks, etc. Some dogs have a predilection to chew and eat anything. With a puppy you will need to be on watch 24 /7. One of my previous dogs had a taste for the children's wooden toys and a lot of dogs enjoy chewing wood, logs, sticks etc., pieces of which can get caught in their throats. Many never give up the habit.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Have to agree with the above posts but would add that, with care, you can train your puppy not to dive into planted beds.   It's also a good idea to avoid thorny plants anywhere the puppy or dog may charge about while having a mad spell.   

    We have two rescue dogs aged 16 and 14 and adopted at 11 and 30 months respectively.   The older is a terrier and liked to dig when we first got her, especially when she could hear moles underground.   She's never eaten anything daft but is a ratter and came off worse when she mistook a wild coypu for a rat.  That needed a trip to the vet and some stitches and antibiotics. 

    The younger is a Labrador with no Off button for appetite but has also stayed away from poisonous plants including aconitum and digitalis but he does charge about and has been known to come back with scratches round his face and eyes where his headlong charges take him into brambles and wild scrub.

    I would avoid planting euphorbia as the sap oozing from broken stems could harm the eyes, nose and mouth of an unsuspecting puppy or dog.  Lilies are another plant to avoid.  Your dog is ulikely to eat them but brushing the pollen against their coat and then licking it off when washing themselves is lethal for cats and can give dogs an upset tummy with messy consequences.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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