Keeping Your Pets Healthy While Gardening

By Dr. Erin George
​Edgewater Animal Hospital
6195 Windward Parkway, Suite 109
470-545-0771

​Georgia is known for its mild winters and year-round sunny days, which make for lovely and inviting yards through the moderate seasons. For those who want a healthy garden but also want healthy pets, getting your yard looking vibrant and lush with safe plants, flowers, veggies, and fruits is important.
 
We know how much you love your pet, and keeping your furry friends away from harm is a priority, so you must consider what’s outside your house as much as what’s inside. We’re going to tell you all about how to get a spectacular garden and protect your pet at the same time.
Growing Pet-Friendly Plants and FoodMillions of people turn to gardening every year to display lavish color, create a stress-free oasis, grow their own carrots and pears, and everything in between. Gardening is a way of life. Owning a pet doesn’t have to get in the way of that. There are numerous ways to create your desired garden without putting your dogs and cats at risk. 
For a colorful garden If you’re looking for a pop of color, consider these pet-safe flowers and plants that work well in Georgia’s climate:
 
●      Camellias
●      Purple Basil Plant
●      Creeping Thyme
●      Sunflower
●      Coral Bells
●      Snapdragons
●      Lavender

Keeping it greenIf you’re more of the monochromatic type and color isn’t the look you’re going for, try these stunning, safe (and green) plants, herbs, and bushes:
 
●      Fennel
●      Rosemary
●      Dill
●      Sage
●      Swedish Ivy
●      Maiden Grass
●      Pupleosier Willow
●      Catnip

Healthy homegrown snacksGrowing your own vegetables and fruits is a great way to know where your food is coming from and save money at the grocery store; below are yummy Georgia grows that are also pet-friendly. Win-win. 
 
Fruits:
●      Blueberries
●      Oranges
●      Pears
●      Strawberries
●      Raspberries
●      Watermelon
 
Given that this is Georgia, you may be wondering about peaches! While the fleshy part of a peach is safe for your pet, the pit is not. So growing peaches isn’t a good idea unless you can monitor all those peach pits, which would likely be pretty daunting.
 
Vegetables:
●      Bell peppers
●      Green beans
●      Cucumbers
●      Broccoli
●      Peas
●      Sweet potatoes
 
With so many options, you can design your perfect garden escape for you and your furry friends. 
Unsafe Outdoor Plants for Your PetsSeveral popular plants, flowers, and food items are unsafe for your pets. Some may cause an upset belly; others may cause much worse symptoms, chronic illnesses, and even death. 
 
If you’re a pet owner, you should always do your research when planting a garden to ensure the items you grow won’t injure your dog or cat. You should also account for plants that can attract rodents, harmful insects, and other vermin or aggressive wildlife that may prey on your pet. These animals sometimes carry dangerous diseases, and if there’s a fight, the outcome could be serious. 
 
If you’re a pet owner, here are things you may want to plant but definitely should not in any area that your pets may have access to (intentional or not): 
 
●      Cherries
●      Grapes
●      Lemons
●      Plums
●      Apples
●      Avocados
●      Onions
●      Garlic
●      Corn
●      Aloe Vera
●      Chrysanthemum
●      Daisy
●      Holly
●      Iris
●      Lilies
●      Tulip
●      Yew
 
The good news: You don’t need pet-unfriendly, toxic, or poisonous items in your garden; you have numerous choices when it comes to risk-free planting that will be pleasing to the eye and the taste buds (and keep you and the whole family safe). 
Tips for a Fun, Healthy Garden for Your PetMost outdoor pets love spending time outside, especially with their humans. Make it fun for them so they can thrive by implementing a few pet-friendly details. 

•  Plant different kinds of pet-friendly herbs for sniffing throughout the yard
• Add areas of sensory stimulation, such as rocks, water, wood chips, grass, etc. 
• Provide places for them to run (because we all get the zoomies sometimes)
• Create an area just for your pet- a bed, food and water bowls, a shelter from the shade, climbing pieces, etc. 

 
Your domesticated pet still has some wild animal in there; let him get it out, exploring the landscape but also with a safe space to call his own. 
What to Do If Your Pet Ingests a Harmful Garden Plant or FlowerIf your pet has gotten into a toxic plant, flower, or food (or any other poisonous substance), you should contact your local vet immediately, even if no symptoms have yet appeared. We also strongly recommend that you contact ASPCA Poison Control by visiting their website and calling their dedicated poison line: (888) 426-4435. Oftentimes your veterinarian will work together with poison control to develop the best treatment plan for your pet.
 
Common symptoms include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive scratching or licking 
• Skin irritation
• Lethargic behavior 

 
You may find that your pet has an allergy or sensitivity to items in your garden that are unique to him, so pay close attention to how your pet responds when adding to the garden. Regularly check your pet’s skin, ears, and coat, looking for any irritation, redness, or swelling to ensure he’s healthy and comfortable. 
 
Again, due diligence is key to safe gardening, so always research how plants, flowers, herbs, and food will affect your pet before you plant. Being proactive with their health is always the most responsible way to be.
 
 
Sources:

• https://www.rover.com/blog/10-safe-plants-dogs-can-add-almost-garden-right-now/
• https://blog.greatgardenplants.com/15-dog-friendly-plants-for-your-garden/
• https://trupanion.com/pet-care/fruits-and-veggies-for-pets#:~:text=Steer%20clear%20of%3A%20Cherries%20are,dog%20or%20cat%20to%20eat
• https://www.medvetforpets.com/which-fruits-are-safe-for-your-dog-to-eat/#:~:text=Peaches%20are%20a%20summer%20favorite,to%20your%20dog%20if%20ingested
• https://betterpet.com/plants-safe-for-dogs/
• https://www.peggyadams.org/blog/dangerous-plants-and-fruiting-trees-toxic-dogs-and-cats
• https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/keeping-your-garden-dog-friendly