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#BestForPets
Escape As the weather gets warmer, we often leave the back door open for pets to come and go as they please. Always check your garden borders thoroughly at the start of the year to identify any damaged or dislodged fencing that could provide an escape route. This is especially important for rabbits in outdoor runs or free roaming as they can escape through even the tiniest of gaps!
Fungi There are thousands of types of fungi, or wild mushrooms, in the UK.
Harmful plants Many plants are toxic to our pets, but the majority will only cause mild gastrointestinal upset and need to be eaten in fairly large quantities to cause serious harm. The one exception is lilies as these are highly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure after even tiny amounts are ingested, including licking the pollen off fur.
Some are edible while others are incredibly toxic, and many look almost identical.
If you notice fungi growing in your garden (often in a shady spot under the trees) it is best to remove them rather than take any chances.
For many plants only certain parts are toxic, such as daffodil bulbs.
If your pet is a chewer, especially young puppies, it’s better to prevent access to flower-beds all together and always keep seeds and bulbs out of reach. Know what is in your garden, and if your pet does eat something call the VPIS (see details on page 24) or your vet as soon as possible.
Garden perils for pets As the weather warms up and Spring is in the air, we start getting the urge to spend more time outdoors. For many of us, there aren’t many nicer ways to spend an afternoon than pottering around the garden in the sunshine, preferably with our furry friend for company. Many cats and dogs enjoy nothing more than lazing in the sun, but for our more inquisitive pets there are a few ways they can get into bother outside.
Compost bins Compost bins are great to reduce
household waste and help nourish the garden. However, they are a prime place for the development of toxic moulds. Many of these are impossible to identify, can cause a wide range of symptoms, and don’t have specific treatments. Rotting food smells great to dogs so compost bins must always be kept securely shut and inaccessible.
Here we share the most common garden hazards and the best ways to avoid them…
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