The Dangers That Lurk In Your Yard

Are there dangers lurking in your yard that could hurt your pet?  The best way to know and prevent harm to your pet is to do a little research ahead of time and know what to look for. 

Everywhere you turn you see digging, whether it is people or your family dog, planting that garden, burying a bone, and relaxing in the yard.  According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animal Control Center, experts field thousands of calls about pets that have had potentially hazardous contact with insecticides, weed killer and pet-toxic plants. (Lucas, 2014).

            Here are some things to think about. 

1. Cocoa mulch has become very popular in landscaping over the past few years.  It is made with the cocoa bean shells, which makes it smell wonderful to people and dogs alike.  It also has the same ingredient that is in chocolate that causes toxicity in dogs.  If your dog eats some of this, call your vet right away.
2. The plant that is the most popular when it comes to toxicity in dogs is the sago palm, which is popular on patios and        in gardens.  Everything about this plant is toxic.  Other plants that can make pets sick include: aloe, amaryllis, African daisies, and alocasia.
3. Compost piles are great for going green, but not so much for the family pooch.  If your dog gets sick from ingesting your compost pile, you will know it pretty fast, as in within 30 minutes.  Call your vet.  Also, don’t dump grease in your yard or compost pile.

Fertilizers and insecticides are poison to animals.  While most of them are not toxic in small doses, it is recommended that the family dog stays off the lawn for a while after treating with fertilizers and insecticides.  If the dog can be kept off the lawn for a few days, even better.  Again, if you spot any symptoms of illness, call the vet immediately.


Call Terry Today @ 706-714-1100

Source:
Delaware Online

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