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Common Home & Garden Hazards

The following objects and substances found in the garden and other outdoor areas may prove hazardous to dogs and other pets:

Acorns

Toxic if eaten. May also cause obstruction and blockages in the digestive system. Be especially careful of young puppies who often chew on acorns if given the chance.

Algae

Toxic freshwater algae (usually blue-green in color, but sometimes colorless) has been known to cause poisoning in animals who drink from lakes or other areas of water where it is present. Algae blooms form in summer and can sometimes be visibly evident as an oily layer on the surface of water. Sensitivity to light is a common symptom of algae poisoning, as are dysentery, blindness, head-tilting and deafess. Dogs and other animals should be discouraged from drinking from lakes and ponds, especially in late summer when algae growth is most prevalant.

Antifreeze

Ethylene glycol

Antifreeze poisoning is a common cause of dogs and other pet deaths where poisons are involved. Antifreeze has a very sweet taste that dogs and cats are attracted to. Immediate veterinary attention is required in order to save the life of a pet that has ingested antifreeze. Antifreeze may be present in puddles in car-parks, on pavements and along road-sides. You should never let your dog drink from puddles for this reason.

Bee and Wasp Stings

These can be especially problematic if they occur inside the mouth of an animal. Dogs may be stung in the mouth and throat as a result of eating windfall apples or pears on which wasps are feeding. Windfall fruit should be regularly cleared from areas that dogs have access to.

Cocoa Mulch

Cocoa Mulch is often used by gardener for landscaping purposes. It is made up of cocoa bean shell - a by-product of the chocolate industry - and like chocolate it can be harmful to dogs if eaten. Unfortunately, dogs are attracted by the sweet smell of the mulch and often eat it if given the chance. Use of cocoa mulch should be avoided in areas to which dogs have access. Alternative mulches such as pine or cedar bark may be less toxic, although some dogs will eat these also and ingestion of any mulch is not a good idea.

Compost Heaps

These are a favorite with dogs, often full of interesting off cuts of vegetables, fallen fruit, and sticks and branches to chew on and play with. If you have a compost heap, be very careful to prevent your dog gaining access if it is likely to come across anything hazardous. Also be aware if your dog is visiting the gardens of family or friends who may have compost heaps and have overlooked the potential danger therein.

Conkers

Horse chestnuts are poisonous to dogs who may chew on them and eat them. Beware of conkers falling into your garden from overhanging branches of horse chestnut trees in neighbors' gardens as well as in your own.

Creosote

Creosote poisoning may occur in animals where wooden housing or garden structures have been freshly treated.

Fireworks

Spent fireworks often land in gardens, and can be dangerous for pets that may chew or swallow them. Fireworks contain a variety of toxic chemicals which may poison pets that ingest them. If you or your neighbors are setting off fireworks, check your garden in the morning before you let your dog out, and remove any casings lying around.

Horse Chestnuts

Horse Chestnuts or 'Conkers' are poisonous and cause harm if chewed or eaten.

Lead Poisoning

Can occur in dogs through chewing on wood covered with lead paint. Old shed doors, fencing and other garden structures may have layers of lead based paint on them.

Matches

Phosphorous poisoning

Puppies especially are prone to eating matches, which can result in phosphorous poisoning. This is very serious and veterinary advice should be sought at once.

Moth-balls

Naphthalene poisoning

Mouldy or Spoiled Foods

Eating rotten food from compost heaps or waste bins can lead to digestive upsets and a risk of Aspergillosis.

Mushrooms

Poisoning can occur through the ingestion of mushrooms containing the alkaloid muscarine.

Slug Pellets

Metaldehyde Poisoning

Poisoning may occur in dogs and cats through their eating metaldehyde pellets used for killing garden slugs. Do not lay these in areas where cats or dogs may eat them.