Cooperative Living June 2022 - 21

PAW PRINTS
Keeping Pets Safe in the Garden
Story courtesy of Family Features
Tips to make sure your
furry friends are safe outdoors
I
f you have pets that enjoy spending
time outdoors, it's important to make
sure your yard is a safe place for them
to be.
Consider these hazards that can
negatively impact the well-being of your
furry friends.
POISONOUS PLANT
Some common plants can be
dangerous for animals, causing anything
from mild oral irritations and upset
stomachs to cardiovascular damage and
even death. For example, these are some
of the toxic plants the American Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
has identified as harmful for either
cats or dogs:
* Aloe - can cause vomiting, diarrhea,
tremors, anorexia and depression
* Azalea - can cause vomiting,
diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness,
coma, cardiovascular collapse and death
* Burning bush - can cause vomiting,
diarrhea, abdominal pain and weakness,
as well as heart rhythm abnormalities
with large doses
* Caladium - can cause burning and
irritation of the mouth, tongue and
lips, excessive drooling, vomiting
and difficulty swallowing
* Daylilies - can cause kidney failure
in cats
* Hibiscus - can cause vomiting,
diarrhea, nausea and anorexia
When choosing pet-safe plants,
look for roses, zinnias, sunflowers,
marigolds and African violets,
among others.
flflfl CH AND COMPOS
The decomposing elements that
make compost good can be bad for
pets, according to the National Garden
Society. Keep compost in a secure
container or fenced-off area, so pets
can't get to it. Cocoa mulch can be
a particular problem for dogs. A
byproduct of chocolate production,
cocoa mulch can cause digestive
problems and even seizures in dogs.
Shredded pine or cedar mulch is a
safer choice.
flflflTILIZER AND INSECTICIDES
The chemicals used to get rid of
pests or make your lawn lush can be
toxic to pets. Some of the most
dangerous pesticides include snail
bait with metaldehyde, fly bait with
methomyl, systemic insecticides with
disyston or disulfoton, mole or gopher
bait with zinc phosphide and most forms
of rat poison, according to the ASPCA.
Follow all instructions carefully, and
store pesticides and fertilizers in a secure
area out of the reach of animals.
flflflflS AND TICKS
In addition to using appropriate flea
and tick prevention methods such as
collars and sprays, make sure your yard
isn't a welcoming environment for these
pests. Keep the lawn trimmed and
remove brush and detritus, where fleas
and ticks ft en lurk. Fleas can cause
hair loss, scabs, excessive scratching,
tapeworms and anemia. Ticks can do
all of that, plus bring you and your
family in contact with diseases like
Rocky Mountain spotted fever and
Lyme disease. 
Find more tips for keeping pets safe
in your yard at eLivingtoday.com.
co-opliving.com
June 2022 ● Cooperative Living ●
flfl
PHOTO COURTESY UNSPLASH
http://www.eLivingtoday.com http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living June 2022

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