Plants poisonous to dogs
CountryloifGirl
Posts: 13
A question for you dog owning gardeners out there....I am now the proud owner of an inquisitive springer puppy, and am looking into dog proofing the garden. This led me to a comprehensive list via the dogs trust on poisonous plants which mentioned just about everything in my garden!!
I was already planning on getting rid of my foxgloves (sob!) as these are renowned for their poisonous properties....but how worried should I be? Is there anything you would take out to make safe for your dog....do they even bother eating garden plants? She does try to eat all the tufts of foliage in our back yard, but i wonder if in a crowded flower bed I might be alright?
And sorry to add another question but I have a lovely mixed hedge around our front garden, but now I am looking with dog owner eyes I see many gaps! Would anyone recommend stock fencing against this?
Help would be so appreciated as I am finding it really tricky to know what to do!! Thank you
Posts
Our latest puppy was 1 31st May, always had dogs, and poisonous plants. I cant imagine a dog would want to eat foxgloves. I would say, when they are very young, (the dog that is, not the plants) keep a good eye on them in the garden. They are all different, this one Border Collie, eats the blankets we give her, she goes through flower beds, went through a spate of pulling plants out of pots. Found her in our pond a few weeks ago, having a great time! if you see the puppy eating something you dont want her to eat, give her a treat, she can eat, distract her. Good luck!!! The fencing, well, depends how high the hedge is, and how big your budget.
I don't think that you need to worry over much. There have been similar questions about pet safety and gardens on the forum and the general thought is that you just leave the garden plants where they are. Most pets don't bother with garden plants but may chew the odd grass tussock - normal behaviour! If the front garden is near a busy road it may be an idea just to block gaps until the puppy is older or only let it out in the back garden if that is enclosed. I think you will probably be in the garden with the puppy anyway so you can keep your eye on it. Many years ago my family had a Springer spaniel. He was lovely and his tail never stopped wagging - even when he was being told off
I've got a 18 week old Border Terrier and by breed he's an escape artist used to digging and being sent down holes to chase out rabbits and foxes so went to the extra measures. He eats almost everything still but was much worse at 8 weeks old when he came home and discovered the garden. However, he does seem to stay away from my flower beds (probably because he knows he'll get a telling off) but I decided not to sow any foxgloves this year just in case, there's a massive list of 'poisonous plants' so it's hard to keep on top of everything. As you will soon know it's impossible to watch them 24/7 like a hawk, mine brings all sorts from under the conifer hedges - leaves and twigs are his favourite. They say it's primarily girl dogs who burn the grass but my boy has certainly left his mark
too much nitrogen and it scorches so you may want to pour water on top or train the pup to go in a certain area with bark etc. I also highly recommend puppy classes for socialisation!
This was him at 9 weeks, time goes so quickly!
Last edited: 18 July 2016 10:02:41
Two dogs here now aged 7 and 9. We have all sorts of poisonous plants in the garden including foxgloves and aconitum and the only problem I have is when they chew my fancy hakonechloa grass instead of the ordinary kind and when the terrier tries to dig out moles and leaves great holes..
Hi all thanks for your comments that is really reassuring thank you, will keep the flower beds going with plants as planned, just keeping a good eye for now. And we will stick to the back garden for some time, Mark56 what a lovely boy he is, butter wouldn't melt! Can't wait for second round of vaccines to be done, then head out and about socialising!