Dangers for your dogs and cats in your backyard!

It’s spring time and the gardening season in full swing. If you are a dog/cat owner and your pooch is allowed in your yard we recommend NOT to use cocoa mulch. This mulch is made from the hulls of cocoa beans. Cocoa (and chocolate) contain theobromine, that is proven to be harmful - even deadly - to dogs and cats. Some animals are so attracted to the scent of this mulch that they could be consuming large, toxic quantities.
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Thousands of dogs and cats suffer and many die each year by accidental ingestion of household poisons, including pesticides, popular houseplants, medications and common foods. As a pet owner please be aware of that many household products can be dangerous and even deadly to your four-legged family member.

Coffee grounds, fabric softener sheets, mothballs, potpourri oils, homemade play dough, dishwashing detergent, batteries, cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, pennies could be dangerous for your pet.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications shall be kept out of your pets’ reach, preferably in closed/locked cabinets above the counter.
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Listed here are plants that are poisonous or otherwise dangerous to cats and that must be avoided if there are cats in your home. While in some cases, just parts of a plant (bark, leaves, seeds, berries, roots, tubers, spouts, green shells) might be poisonous, this list rules out the whole plant. Most of these plants are also poisonos to dogs. Even dogs are less tempted to chew on your plants, some however do.

* Almond *Amaryllis * Angel’s trumpet * Apple seeds * Apricot
* Arrowhead fern * Asparagus fern * Autumn crocus * Avocado * Azalea
* Baby’s breath * Balsam Pear * Beech * Belladonna * Bird of paradise
* Bittersweet woody * Black locust * Boston ivy * Boxwood * Buckeye * Buttercup
* Cactus * Caladium * Calla lily * Castor bean * Cherry * China Berry
* Chinese evergreen * Christmas trees * Chrysanthemum * Coral plant * Coriaria

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Prevention is key to avoiding accidental ingestion of antifreeze! Antifreeze with its sweet taste is - unfortunately - highly attractive to dogs and cats. Even if you don’t have pets of your own, make sure to follow the tips below and help prevent accidental ingestion of antifreeze. Most cases of antifreeze poisoning occur around the pet’s own home and are usually due to improper storage, disposal or leaks. Below are some guidelines for pet owners to avoid pet exposures to antifreeze:

In case an accident happened and your animal has ingested antifreeze call/visit your vet immediately! Don’t wait! You can also call Animal Poison Control Center, 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435). (This service might charge a $50 fee to credit card.)