Many gardeners own pets, and in order to be a good pet owner, it is important to remember the potentially dangerous products used on lawns and gardens. Pet safety is essential, it is important to take the steps necessary to keep everyone, even four-legged ones, safe from harm.

The best method of minding pet safety is to prevent exposure. Remove hazardous plants from your home and yard, and ensure that pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers are kept in a safe area, inaccessible to curious pets.

Veterinarians at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital advise reading instructions carefully when using fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides in your garden. Many of these products may be harmful or even toxic to animals. Dogs and cats can become dangerously ill after ingesting product residue from eating freshly treated grass or from licking residue off their paws. Reading labels is essential to keep pets safe. Problems arise when products are incorrectly applied or when pets are exposed to a sprayed area too soon. Immediate attention is required if the chemical’s intended use was for roses or snails. Various pest baits and some systemic insecticides are also dangerous.

Accidents can happen, but immediately wash the pet with mild dish soap and contact a veterinarian. If it is an emergency (symptoms include stumbling, salivating, vomiting, or seizures) contact the National Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-4 ANI-Help) or visit the ASPCA Poison Control www.aspca.org/apcc. Remember decorative ponds can pose a problem if chemicals are used to rid the pond of unwanted residents or to control algae.

Some garden and indoor plants may cause irritation, illness or death if ingested by pets. Toxic plants include tulip, daffodil, and iris bulbs, azaleas, amaryllis and Dieffenbachia (dumbcane). Train pets so that houseplants and specific areas of the garden are off limits. Many plants can be nibbled by pets with no ill effects. A comprehensive list of Cultivated Trees & Plants that are potentially poisonous to animals is found at the CSU website http://southcampus.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/

Common plants from the list include:

Unless plants are eaten in large quantities, they usually do not pose a health concern to pets. However, there are plants that are very toxic. These include: Easter Lily, Peace Lily, philodendron, castor bean and mistletoe. Additional toxic plants include various fungi (mushrooms), yew, rose bay, oleander, fox glove, wild black cherry and daphne and jasmine berries.

Cheryl S. Smith, author of Dog Friendly Gardens, reminds pet owners that digging, chewing, high-spirited antics and accidental breakage of plants, decorative fences, pots and planters are all part of a dog or cat’s normal life. The Larimer Humane Society has Animal Behavior Help Sheets on proper training of pets and advice to redirect destructive behavior. Visit http://www.larimerhumane.org

Using wildflower and naturalized meadows can provide a beautiful garden area that is also pet friendly. To get ideas of plant material that may be more tolerant to pet traffic is to visit a local nursery on a windy day to observe shrubs and perennials that bend gracefully in the wind. Low growing groundcovers, turfgrass areas and rock gardens are other wise choices for accommodating pet traffic. Mass plantings of shrubs and bulbs form a natural, effective border. Prickly or thorny plants, such as shrub roses, discourage most animals and act as a natural fence. Also, install edging with round edges to avoid cutting the tender pads of paws. In addition, planting vines can camouflage kennel areas.

Garden art has a place in a pet friendly garden, but placement of the art pieces is essential. Art that “peaks out” from plantings or that is situated close to a fence, wall or tree is less likely to get knocked over or cause injury. Concrete sculptures are a rugged choice, and are able to withstand considerable pet play.

Keep in mind that irrigation should not represent a tripping obstacle to pets or humans. An excellent option that helps with water conservation is using soaker hoses. There are drip irrigation systems available with flexible parts and are able to withstand pet play better than “stiffer” systems. Mulch provides a “finished” look to the garden; be sure to mulch garden areas 3-4” deep. Mulching reduces water use and also reduces weeds. There are many mulch options, but avoid using cocoa beans (cacao hulls) as they are poisonous to dogs due to both the caffeine and Theobromine content.

Spring is in the air—it is time to go outside so that both you and your pets can enjoy your garden!

The CSU website has Horticulture Gardening Fact Sheets on hundreds of subjects. Basic Fact Sheets #XCM-221 and #XCM-222 discuss pest management, fertilizer and pesticide options.

You can review excellent flower choices from Factsheets #7.231 - Xeriscaping Garden Flowers and #7.233 - Wildflowers in Colorado.

For native plants, please read Factsheets #7.242 - Native Herbaceous Perennials for Colorado Landscapes and #7.422 - Native Shurbs for Colorado Landscapes for a list of sensible choices.

To read further on irrigation and mulch options, read Fact Sheet #4.702 - Drip Irrigation for Home Gardens and #7.214 - Mulches for Home Grounds.

Do you have a gardening question that you need answered? The Larimer County Master Gardeners are available to take your questions starting April 3, 2006. Master Gardeners will be available 9am-1pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday through the end of September. Please call the Larimer County Cooperative Extension Office at (970) 498-6000 and ask to speak to a Master Gardener.

A new brochure, “Gardening in Colorado,” has been published by Larimer County Master Gardeners to assist homeowners and newcomers with things they need to know before starting to garden. The brochure covers such topics as soil testing, soil amendment, mulches, irrigation management, Xeriscaping, water gardening, and more. The brochure is FREE and can be obtained from Larimer County Cooperative Extension, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins. The phone number there is (970) 498-6000.

The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.

Gardening and Insect Fact Sheets are available on-line by clicking HERE.

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This page updated:  May 26, 2006