Dog ( or just pet) Friendly Plants

[GardenFaery]

I like the cottage garden style of planting, but it means I have to be careful with some of the flowers I select, such as foxglove, lupin etc, as while animals mainly seem to avoid poisonous plants instincively, some species of 'daft dogs' ie Houndies, like my greyhound/cross Conker, are partial to nibbling long bits of green grass and anything else that is in the way.

I found these websites which is a useful reference for dog-friendly plants, perhaps also people could post alternatives to the ones to avoid? For example, Hollyhocks instead of Delphiniums etc, so you can achieve a similar 'look' but have peace of mind that nothing that shouldn't be nibbled wont!

Think the site is American in origin, but still useful:

Dogs In The Garden - Dog Friendly Houseplants - make your Garden safe for your Dog

also UK one:

D for Dog - Poisonous to Dogs Toxic Plants and Flowers

I have to say I thought I knew which ones to avoid, but have grown Delphiniums at back of border for height before and didn't realise for instance on some of the ones you take for granted like daffodils and potatoes?! :O Having said that my parents grew rhubarb and potatoes for years and we always had a dog? I'm lucky to have an older dog that doesn't dig but he does play and toss around weed clumps, given the chance lol

Alternatives for similar look, height or effect:

Delphinium - Is a wildflower that is poisonous
in its entirety, especially the sprouts.
Foxglove - This is a wild and garden flower
whose leaves are poisonous.

Swapped for Hollyhocks



Wow showing my ignorance here :/ Some I had no idea were poisonous? :O

Apple - The seeds of an apple can be poisonous to pets.

Oaks - Are trees with poisonous leaves and shoots.

Hmm and then the vet says (about apples)
Apples

Mostly Safe

If your dog likes apples, then keep giving them to him! In theory, it's possible for a dog (or a person for that matter) to get cyanide poisoning from eating apple seeds. However, the seeds need to be punctured to release the cyanide. And, a VERY large number of seeds have to be punctured in order for enough cyanide to be ingested to cause a problem.

[Two_Sheds]

my parents grew rhubarb and potatoes for years and we always had a dog?

Us too. We've placed no planting restrictions regarding dogs: we'd had laburnum, sweet peas, foxgloves, you name it. Haven't had a problem in my lifetime

[GardenFaery]

On a lighter notes - things that can be grown as safe for dogs:

Broccoli

Safe

Broccoli is perfectly safe for dogs to eat. In cows and sheep, eating a large amount of broccoli can cause anemia, but this doesn't happen in dogs.

The Conker has been known to emerge from the kitchen, carrying a sprig of broccoli ( which I immediately took from him) think it was to play with rather than eat lol

Celery

Safe

Celery is safe to give to dogs! (but would they want it? lol))

strawberries

spinach

Plums - but not great because of the plum stones

Have to say I have both apple and plum trees in my garden and the dog has never bothered with fruits from either of them? (yeh I think you're right Two Sheds - most animals know instinctively which ones to avoid? - would just think more for a curious, lively puppy who may dig up bulbs etc to play with and then chew?)

Rosemary

peppermint

wheat/barley grasses

burdock

milk thistle

Garlic grass (but not cloves in large amounts)

Astragalus

[Two_Sheds]

The seeds of an apple can be poisonous to pets ... [however] a VERY large number of seeds have to be punctured in order for enough cyanide to be ingested to cause a problem.

This is something I've been reading a lot about lately (I run a school garden club and some members of staff were freaking a bit about poisonous plants. Water can be toxic if you take too much of it.

You have to assess the risk sensibly: yes, apple pips are potentially poisonous, however one would have to (as you point out) go to quite a lot of effort to poison oneself. Daffodils, hyacinths & tulips are all poisonous, but nobody's really likely to eat them, are they?

I highly recommend Poisonous Plants: A Guide for Parents & Childcare Providers: Amazon.co.uk: Elizabeth A. Dauncey: Books if you're at all worried. It really set my mind at rest.

[GardenFaery]

Yes, you're right Two Sheds. In a litigious environment, where blame is the order of the day I think people, sometimes overly worry, which is not to say it's not a good idea to learn about beneficial plants that could be planted as a replacement.

I never realised about sweet peas either? I've just planted a whole set of them against canes in one bed lol

[Two_Sheds]

I never realised about sweet peas either?

You see, you can't ban everything that might be harmful: there's always something that you don't know about. Banning everything you knew to be harmful would lead you to a false sense of security.

Much better, imo, to consider everything as potentially harmful and be sensible: don't eat what you don't recognise, and always wash your hands after gardening

[GardenFaery]

Two sheds, I think perhaps you have misunderstood the beginning of my post which was 'dog-friendly' - plants? It's not to protect me or any kids - its for the dog ???

lol
and I'm not 'banning' stuff, it was meant to be a thread to suggest alternatives as I would personally much prefer to plant cottage garden plants that are non-toxic to my dog.

I think political arguments about school /groups child safety etc perhaps needs to be elsewhere?

Please other posters - recommendations, safe alternatives to toxic cottage garden plants, experiences and welcome here and don't let other posters put you off or turn it into a completely different issue?

(dont appreciate hijacking of a personal thread to replace with your own issue?)

[rustylady]

I would hope your dog would have enough sense to avoid poisonous plants GF. Mine is a bit of an idiot, and pinches plums off the tree, raspberries off the canes, etc. She loves carrots and potatoes and is still fit and healthy. Maybe you worry too much???

[rustylady]

BTW, if you have cats, lilies (or the pollen from them) are toxic to felines.

[Helgalush]

I dont have dogs, but have several pet rabbits, and like you I have tried to clear my garden of anything poisonous so they can have a good run around without me trying to swoop on them whenever they go near something potentially toxic for them. I planted up my garden with rabbit-safe plants, herbs, flowers, leaves etc for peace of mind and a source of food for them (and often for us too) .

Two Sheds actually started a really helpful thread about pet-friendly foods the other week, you may find something useful on it: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...etc_64000.html

[binley100]

huh .......try telling Jake not to pinch apples off the tree to eat or spit the pips out . Just won't work ....

[veggiechicken]

I've always had a dog and/or cat all my life. They have never been poisoned by anything growing in the garden or in the wild. The 2 dogs that I have now love all manner of veg and fruit and they eat these instead of "treats". Favourites include carrots, sprouts, broccoli and cabbage stalks and celery.
I do not plan on removing foxgloves from my garden - if they want to eat them they'll find plenty on our walks.
In my garden there are no substitutes - I rely on my dogs to exercise common sense - and they haven't let me down yet. Unfortunately, humans cannot be relied upon in the same way.
I'm sorry if this doesn't answer your question but I really don't know how to.

[Two_Sheds]

Two sheds, I think perhaps you have misunderstood the beginning of my post which was 'dog-friendly' - plants? It's not to protect me or any kids - its for the dog ???

I think political arguments about school /groups child safety etc perhaps needs to be elsewhere?


don't let other posters put you off or turn it into a completely different issue?

(dont appreciate hijacking of a personal thread to replace with your own issue?)

Oh wow. I hadn't realised I would upset you so much.

I was genuinely trying to be helpful/reassure you. It won't happen again

[veggiechicken]

We're used to a free and easy exchange of ideas and views and sometimes it is impossible to keep on the topic without straying a little - I am one of the worst in that respect. We have discussed lots of very controversial topics and come up smiling at the end.
Maybe GardenFaerie, being new to this, hasn't yet seen the Grapes in full flow!! Just try controlling some of them -- Sorry - off topic, Wrists slapped - Ouch

[Helgalush]

Dogs presumably have more common sense than rabbits. Rabbits eat pretty much anything! And get in to the tiniest gaps where I can't reach em! Little tinkers! Two Sheds is right though, you can't be sure that you have got out absolutely everything potentially poisonous, ivy and certain weeds always seem to come back in my garden!