As the summertime weather begins heating up, you may be opting to spend more time outside. The fresh air and nature is good for you, and it’s good for your pup too! If you are planning on gardening this summer, here are a few tips to ensure you are creating a pet-friendly garden. 

Dogs can be curious and excited, and often they eat things they are not supposed to. There are actually a number of plants and flowers that can be harmful to your dog when ingested. Daffodils, tulips and azaleas are popular flowers, but surprisingly all three can be toxic to dogs. Before buying new plants for your garden, you should research if they would be potentially harmful to your four-legged friend.

Cocoa mulch is well-known for its dark brown color and rich scent, as well as the nutrition it packs into soil. However, cocoa mulch is a byproduct of cocoa beans therefore it is toxic to dogs. Dogs that ingest cocoa mulch are at risk of vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures and more. There are a lot of alternatives to mulch, such as bark and wood chips or compost. Opting out of using this type of mulch will help prevent your dog from accidentally ingesting it while playing outside.

Fertilizers are important in order to provide nutrition to plants and can help to maintain a beautiful garden, yet even a trace amount can be detrimental to your dog. To protect your dog from these chemicals, you should store them safely out of reach and keep your dog away from the lawn after immediate use. Natural fertilizers contain ingredients that can further upset your pooch’s stomach, so plan to be cautious no matter what type of fertilizer is being used. 

If your dog does get into something toxic, try not to fret. Get them to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic and bring a sample of what they consumed with you, if possible. By maintaining a pet-friendly garden, you can guarantee that you and your pet have a safe and fun summer.