We use terms such as landscaping for the design of plants in a yard and hardscaping for human-made elements that enhance the outdoor space. But did you know there is a fairly new term for planning a landscape with your pets in mind? Petscaping is an outdoor plan that includes the safety of your fur babies from toxic plants and other harmful materials.
Folks who own dogs, or have in the past, are well aware of the trouble that Rover can get into when allowed to roam the yard. Digging and chewing are common puppy behaviors but some never fully grow out of it. Consuming parts of poisonous plants can result in sickness at best and death at worst.
These plants can kill your pets
Perhaps the most deadly plant you may already have in your yard is the Sago palm/Cycas revoluta. It is toxic to humans and pets. Oddly enough, the Sago, despite its structure, is not a real palm tree. It is a cycad plant native to Japan with ancestry dating back to prehistoric times. The entire plant is considered toxic but the seeds contain the highest amount of cycasin, the deadly carcinogenic glucoside. On average, dogs have a 50% survival rate after ingesting the low-growing tropical plant.
Another deadly cycad plant, the coontie/Zamia floridana is native to Florida. It is an attractive, low-growing evergreen that requires little care and can survive on limited water. Coonties are also referred to as “Seminole bread” after Seminole Indians learned to convert the root’s starch into flour. The same toxin in the Sago palm exists in the Florida coontie. The burnt orange-colored seeds located at the base of the plant are the real danger to Rover’s liver. If you remove them by hand, be safe and wear gloves. Digesting two seeds can bring on vomiting and 4 seeds can be fatal to our four-legged friends.
Another common ornamental plant is the Oleander/ Nerium oleander. It, too, is toxic to cats, dogs and humans. This stunning blooming evergreen plant can be grown large as a hedge or in clusters when opting for the dwarf variety. The entire plant contains noxious compounds so direct contact should be avoided.
A list of more deadly ground plants based on their toxic levels of alkaloids or acid include:
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the Angel trumpet/Brugmansia
Our feline friends cannot also tolerate a group of familiar lilies: Asiastic, Oriental, and the nostalgic daylilies. All parts of these plants if consumed by a cat can result in kidney failure.
These plants can make your pets sick
Plants that are not life-threatening to your pets but may still make them sick include Azaleas/Rhododendron spp, Hydrangeas, English Ivy/Hedera helix, and Carolina jasmine/Gelsemium sempervirens, also known as yellow jessamine. The milky sap contained in Allamanda plants, and the berries that grow on Nandina domestic, are also invitations to the emergency vet center. For a complete list of plants, reactions/symptoms and recommended care, visit https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants before adding new plants to your landscape.
If these plants are already in your landscape and you are hesitant to pull them out, blocking off access to them is imperative. This can be done by creating a shrub wall/hedge or installing a fence or other similar barrier to block pet access. If the plant is small, repotting it in a container could keep some dogs away from at least the base. Dogs love to run and play so designating a safe zone in your yard for them to do this guided by designated pathways will also train Rover on your expectations. While you may take away space for Rover to discover and guard, get creative with the area available to them. Some examples include: water features, hammocks, obstacle courses and sandboxes.
Harmful yard bugs, such as mosquitos and ticks, create hazards as well. By keeping your lawn mowed at a recommended height and clearing it of leaf litter can help reduce its menacing existence. Another tip is to change out the water in your bird baths weekly and prevent standing water whenever you can. Open or exposed compost bins that harbor rotting food can also be a tempting danger to Rover. If you apply fertilizers or other chemicals to your landscape, organic or not, it is smart to double-check the labels for pet exposure prior to application. The same holds true for mulch ingredients like cocoa. If you believe that your pet may have been exposed to any of these hazardous situations, call the Animal Poison Control Center at ( 888) 426-4435. These professionals are ready to assist if Rover has eaten a plant, insecticide, medications or household product.
Our landscapes and homes should be a private space for all family members to enjoy. If you grow indoor plants and are not sure if any are classified as perilous, I would suggest checking out https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP639. Establishing a plan to keep your fur babies safe and happy is part of being a responsible pet owner and neighbor. So, enjoy gardening while knowing that Rover can be happy harmlessly guarding, herding, digging, howling, and beyond!
Candace Barone is a Master Gardener Volunteer with the Duval County Extension Service and the University of Florida/IFAS. For gardening questions, call the Duval County Extension Office at (904) 255-7450 from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and ask for a Master Gardener Volunteer.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: What plant is poisonous to animals? Protect your pet from toxic plants
The post Toxic plants in your yard can sicken or even kill pets. Here are some to watch out for. appeared first on USA TODAY.
