Since we love dogs just as much as you do we will be creating monthly useful information for loving dog owners. This useful information will be on topics that will help make loving dog owners more aware of their dog's health.

Common Dog Hazards You Need to Know

Calling all dog owners!! Summertime is here and many of us have planted our gardens. Many dog owners need to be aware that the most common garden plants are potential sources of danger to your dog or puppy. Depending on the type of garden plant either the stem, bark, root, fruit, and their leaves can be harmful to dogs. The plants growth stage can sometimes determine how toxic it can be to a dog but,some garden plants are always poisonous to your dog. Poisonous plants are more deadly to puppies because of their size.

As a loving dog owner, I'd like to make this dog hazard information available to you so that costly vet bills and more serious conditions can be avoided.  Please keep in mind, that this dog hazard information is not an all-inclusive list of dog hazards. Since this list of garden dog hazards is designed to prevent accidents, if your dog becomes ill or does have and accident with any of these plants, we strongly urge you to contact your veterinarian immediately.

The most common and deadliest garden plant to dogs is the tomato. Believe it or not, even the leaves and stems are toxic to dogs and puppies. The leaves contain Atrophine which can cause dogs to have heart arrhythmias, tremors and dilated pupils. The tomato fruit is posionous to dogs because it contains Tomatine, some signs of poisoning include: dilated pupils, vomiting/diarrhea, drooling, difficutly breathing, seizures/tremors, coma and death.

Other garden plants that can be problematic to your dog or puppy include: Avocado (pit, fruit, plant) since they have a high fat content, they can give dogs diarrhea and upset stomach. Eggplant, garlic, mushrooms, walnuts, onion (even chives) can cause weakness, and difficulty breathing. Do not let your dog have any type of onion (powdered, raw or cooked) even small amoounts can cause damage to your dog's health.

Monitoring and fencing around the garden  is a great preventative way to keep your dog happy and healthy. Please keep in mind, this is not an all-inclusive dog hazard list.  Best advice when in doubt about anything pertaining to your dog..ask your vet.