How to Keep Your Pet Safe
Yards, gardens, garages, and sheds can contain a variety of potential dangers for pets, including toxic plants, harmful foods, household chemicals, pesticides, and ticks. The risks can vary depending on where you live, the products you use, and the plants growing in your outdoor space.
The information below highlights common outdoor hazards pet caregivers may encounter, but it is not a complete list. Take time to learn about the plants, products, and substances your pet may come into contact with, and take steps to keep potentially harmful items safely out of reach.
If you think your pet has eaten or been exposed to something toxic, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Garden Hazards
- Lilies pose a significant risk to both cats and dogs. Cats in particular can suffer fatal kidney damage. Even a small amount of the plant, if it gets on the cat’s nose from smelling it, can be toxic. Because different lily species have varying levels of toxicity, it’s safest to keep all lilies away from pets.
- Tulips and daffodils are popular garden plants that are also toxic to both cats and dogs. While not as toxic as lilies, they can still cause serious health problems. The bulbs are the most poisonous part of the plant and should be stored appropriately if saving for future planting.
- Mushrooms grow quite readily in our province, and pet caregivers should be on the lookout for them. Different types of mushrooms have different toxicity levels. While some are harmless, others can cause severe illness, including liver failure. Because it is difficult to identify which mushrooms are safe, remove any growing in your yard and prevent pets from eating mushrooms while outdoors.
- Azalea/Rhododendron plants are highly toxic, especially to dogs. Their toxic properties interfere with normal skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and nerve function. If you suspect your pet has consumed azalea/rhododendron, seek veterinary care immediately.
- Mulch is a common landscaping product found throughout flower beds, and many dogs are naturally curious and may chew on wood-based materials. Some mulch products may contain additives, dyes, or chemicals that can be harmful to pets if ingested. Choose pet-safe mulch whenever possible and ensure products used in your yard are free from ingredients that could be toxic to animals.
Common Houseplants
Several common houseplants can become hazardous when moved outdoors during the summer, including:
- Dieffenbachia: Can cause severe mouth irritation, swelling, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
- Philodendron: Causes similar irritation and swelling due to calcium oxalate crystals.
- Dracaena: May cause vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, and dehydration if chewed.
Cannabis
Since cannabis was legalized in Canada, veterinarians have seen a significant increase in pets experiencing cannabis intoxication. Pets may ingest dried cannabis, edible products, oils, or discarded materials left outdoors.
Signs of cannabis intoxication include:
- Disorientation
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Extreme lethargy
- Tremors
- Urinary incontinence
- Unresponsiveness
While cannabis poisoning is not always fatal, it can be serious and requires veterinary attention.
Hazardous Fruits and Vegetables
- Chokecherries and other stone fruits are not toxic, but the pits can be dangerous if consumed in large quantities. The pits contain compounds that can release cyanide when chewed or broken down. This includes fruits from the Prunus family, such as cherries, plums, apricots, peaches, and nectarines. Dogs are especially vulnerable because they may swallow fruit whole, including the pits.
- Rhubarb stems are not poisonous, but the leaves of the plant are, as they contain a significant amount of oxalic acid, which, if consumed, could lead to kidney failure.
- Onions and garlic are common in our kitchens, but they can also be grown in our gardens. All parts of the onion and garlic plants are toxic to both cats and dogs, with cats being especially vulnerable to their effects. However, the risk is not limited to the garden, onion and garlic powders are also dangerous and can be found in many human foods.
- Tomatoes, when ripe, are not toxic to pets, but unripe tomatoes, as well as the stems and leaves of the plant, can be. While tomato plants do not pose as much risk to cats and dogs as some other plants found in our garden, it’s best to keep them away from the plants just to be safe.
- Potatoes belong to the same nightshade family of vegetables as tomatoes, and therefore can be toxic to both cats and dogs if consumed raw. When cooked, the toxicity is reduced, but potatoes have limited nutritional value for our pets so there’s no need to offer them to our animals.
Outdoor Chemicals
Rodenticides and Pesticides
Rodenticides and pesticides are highly toxic to pets and should always be stored securely out of reach. Even small amounts can cause serious illness or death. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to one of these products, seek veterinary care immediately.
Antifreeze
Antifreeze is extremely poisonous to dogs and cats. Traditional antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, a substance with a naturally sweet taste that can attract curious animals. However, even a very small amount can cause severe poisoning and potentially fatal kidney failure. Always clean up spills immediately and store antifreeze containers securely where pets cannot access them.
Fertilizers
Many modern fertilizers are less toxic than older products, but they may still cause stomach upset or more serious illness if ingested. Keep your animals away from areas recently fertilized for at least 24 hours – this includes lawn, planters, shrubs and trees where the product has been administered.
Ticks
Ticks are becoming increasingly common in Alberta and can be found in wooded areas, long grass, parks, and even backyards. After spending time outdoors, check your pet thoroughly for ticks, paying close attention to the ears, neck, under the collar, between the toes, and around the tail. Your veterinarian can recommend parasite prevention products to protect against ticks, fleas, mites, and intestinal parasites.
For more information on how to keep your pets safe from ticks: Ticks and Fleas
Signs Your Pet May Have Been Poisoned
Symptoms of poisoning vary depending on the substance but may include:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Tremors or seizures
- Lethargy or weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Collapse
If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Contact your veterinarian immediately. If possible, bring the product packaging or identify the plant your pet may have ingested to help your veterinarian determine the best course of treatment.
Additional Resources
For a comprehensive list of toxic and non-toxic plants, visit the ASPCA’s website: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List