ABOVE: A dog and owner take in the scenery at Mounts Botanical Garden at a recent Dogs Day in the Garden event. BELOW: These three take a respite on a bench surrounded by the dog-safe plants at the garden. Photos providedBy Arden Moore
Whether you were born with a green thumb or regard yourself as a late bloomer, one safe strategy is to factor your dog into your gardening decisions.
Your garden and lawn could be harboring hidden dangers to your dog. That’s why it is so important to carefully select plants and even your mulch. Otherwise, you could be making an urgent trip to the emergency veterinary clinic.
If you are unsure about garden safety, I encourage you to leash up your well-mannered canine pal on May 10 and head to the Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach.
One Sunday every month, this popular garden destination hosts the Dogs Day in the Garden event that enables dogs of all sizes, ages and breeds to sniff, strut and explore. It sure beats that same-old daily walk they may take in your neighborhood.
You can also have a great opportunity to speak with horticulturists and master gardeners who can offer ways to keep your home garden safe for your dog.
As a master certified pet first aid/CPR instructor for the past 15 years, I often pass on garden safety tips to my students from such experts, as well as from veterinary toxicologists and ER veterinarians.
Let’s start with what mulch to select and what to avoid. The two most dangerous mulches for dogs are cocoa mulch and rubber mulch. Cocoa mulch contains high levels of theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. This chocolate-smelling mulch can prompt curious dogs to paw and swallow pieces in your gardens.
Dogs can vomit, experience rapid heart rates, seizures and even death from ingesting cocoa mulch.
A pooch enjoys a special treat.
Rubber mulch can appeal to some gardeners because it contains no splinters and does not decompose. However, the heat of the South Florida sun on this mulch can cause severe burns to your dog’s paws. A curious dog who swallows rubber mulch can suffer from intestinal blockages that may require surgery.
Instead, select these safer mulches for your dog’s sake: cedar, pine bark and pine needle. These are natural and contain no toxic materials that are found in cocoa and rubber mulches. An added benefit to cedar mulch is that it can act as a natural repellent for fleas, ticks and mosquitos.
As for dog-safe plants? Mounts Botanical Garden’s Mark Jerrett, who formerly operated the nursery, lists these Florida natives on display there: tickseed; beach sunflower; sunshine mimosa; native firebush; coontie; lavender porterweed. “Zinnias, cosmos and pentas are also other safe plants we have here at the garden,” he adds.
Michelle Miles, horticultural supervisor at Mounts, shares this caution: “I have seen dogs with issues with eating palm seeds. Not all palm seeds are toxic, but they can cause blockages in their intestines. I always recommend leaving the blooms of the palms as they are beneficial for pollinators, but once the transition to seeds begins, go ahead and cut the stalks off.”
The ASPCA Poison Control Center, staffed 24/7 by veterinary toxicologists, posts a database of all plants that are safe and unsafe for pets. Check out the list online here: aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/dogs-plant-list.
And, if you have a gotta-dig dog and want to save your garden beds, consider using raised beds out of paws’ reach. Then divert your dog to his own digging spot in your yard.
Dig a pit or use a plastic kiddie pool and fill it with sand or soft soil. Then entice your dog to explore and dig by stashing hidden treasures, such as doggy toys or treats.
Now that’s a win-win for your garden and your dog.
Arden Moore is an author, pet podcast show host and master certified pet first aid instructor. Check out petfirstaid4u.com and ardenmoore.com.
If You Go
What: The monthly Dogs Day in the Garden at Mounts Botanical Garden
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 10
Where: 531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach
Cost: Free for dogs and Mounts Botanical Garden members; $5 for non-members.
More info: 561-233-1757; learn about all special events at mounts.org/events.
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