Cat Lovers Digest

In addition to poisonous plants, gardens can pose a number of poisoning hazards. Be a garden guardian—keep these substances away from pets.

Baits

Rodent, snail and slug baits are often used to keep pests at bay. But if ingested, these poisons are extremely harmful to pets. They are highly toxic and, without immediate veterinary attention, can be fatal. Rodent baits typically can result in blood clotting disorders, brain swelling or kidney failure, depending on which type is used, while snail and slug baits can result in severe tremoring or seizing.

Blood Meal

Used as an organic fertilizer, blood meal is flashfrozen animal blood that has been dried and ground. Unfortunately, many pets find this product very tasty and may even seek it out. If a large amount is ingested, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea and severe inflammation of the pancreas.

Bone Meal

Bone meal is an organic fertilizer made from animal bones that have been ground to a powder. The “bone” is what makes it so palatable to dogs— but when ingested, bone meal can form a large, concrete-like obstruction in the stomach that could require surgical removal.

Insecticides

Most over-the-counter insecticides are basic gastrointestinal irritants to pets and are generally not cause for major concern. However, if your pet has ingested this type of chemical, contact a pet poison helpline right away to make sure your pet is safe. The insecticide bottle will have content information that you can relay to the helpline.

Fertilizers

Many fertilizers are basic gastrointestinal irritants. However, some are often combined with dangerous chemicals and compounds called organophosphates or carbamates, which can be harmful to pets. Ingestion can result in drooling, watery eyes, urination, defecation, seizures, difficulty breathing, fever and even death. Immediate treatment with an antidote is necessary to improve your pet’s chance of survival.

Choose pet-safe options for substances like snail bait and weed and feed products, or go organic and try planting flowers like Mexican marigold, which naturally repel insects without harming animals. When all else fails, check the label and ask a gardening professional. If there’s a doubt about the product’s safety for your pet, don’t use it!

Some Plants That Are Reported To Be Toxic to Dogs, Cats or Rabbits
Azalea
Bittersweet
Caladium
Clematis
Crocus
Day Lily
Death Camas
Easter Lily
Ferns
Foxglove
Hyacinth
Iris
Lily of the Valley
Morning Glory
Oleander
Rhododendron
Tiger Lily
Tulip

If you plan to grow any of these plants, or are growing them already, ensure that the furry visitors to your yard won’t be harmed by accidentally ingesting any of these. Use aversives or fencing to keep the animals out of the area.

Information from www.petinsurance.com.