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Keeping Pets Safe on Picnics, in Your Yard, and in the Garden by Fran Joyce

Gardening with your kids can be a great way to get them out in the fresh air for some quality time. Helping children learn about nature and teaching them how to grow flowers and vegetables will help them develop lifelong skills and wonderful memories.

My dad was an avid gardener with a green thumb. My mom shared his love of nature and took great pride in her peonies, tulips, poppies, and roses. On warm evenings we were allowed to eat at the picnic table in the backyard where the scents of flowers mixed with the smell of sliced watermelon fresh from the garden. The dog and our cats waited patiently under the table for scraps of food.

No outdoor issue would be complete if we discuss pets and outdoor safety. If your dog will be joining you on family outings there are certain plants and foods, you should make sure they do not consume. If your cat ventures outside (I now have a strict indoor-only policy for my cats) you need to be careful which flowers, plants, or vegetables you grow in your garden. This includes some herbs commonly used for cooking. Also, be careful which flowers you bring inside. A bouquet of fresh flowers from the garden is a beautiful way to brighten any room, but it can be dangerous or even fatal for your pet.

Consumption of any plant material may result in vomiting but according to the ASPCA certain non-toxic plants will not harm cats or dogs. Almost any plant can cause digestive distress or illness if your pet eats too much of it.

Certain flowers or indoor plants, herbs, and vegetables can be toxic for pets. Keep it safe for your furry friend and be sure to plant pet-safe non-toxic plants in areas your cat or dog can access.

Here is a link to a site featuring information about which people foods are safe or unsafe to share with your pets, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets?ms=MP_PMK_GGPoisonControl&initialms=MP_PMK_GGPoisonControl&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Pjw7quP-AIVRsvICh0xjwEJEAAYAiAAEgJbI_D_BwE 

Non-toxic plants that are safe for dogs and cats:

Acorn squash

Butternut Squash

African Daisy

Barberton Daisy

Blue Daisy

Blue Eyed Daisy

Gerber Daisy

African violet

Alyssum

American rubber plant

Asparagus Fern

Boston Fern

Bamboo

Bamboo Palm

Feather Palm

Dwarf Palm

Good luck Palm

Lady Palm

Basil

Beets

Camellia

Carob

China Aster

Giant Aster

Chervil/French Parsley=

Christmas Cactus

Cilantro

Cinnamon

Cocks Comb

Coreopsis

Cornflower/Bachelors Buttons

Cucumber

Dill

Edible banana

Fennel

Friendship plant

Garden Marigold

Garden Snapdragon

Gloxinia

Grape Hyacinth

Hens and Chickens

Hibiscus

Hollyhocks

Honeydew melon

Impatiens

Pansies

Jasmine

Seedless watermelon

Lemon Balm

Nasturtium

Painted Lady

Pampas Grass

Petunia

Platinum Peperomia

Polka Dot Plant

Rose

Rose of Sharon

Rosemary

Sage

Spider Plant

Stevia

Strawberry

Sunflower

Sweet Potato

Thyme

Cantaloupe

Variegated wax plant

Violet Slipper Gloxinia

Zinnia

Zucchini  

Toxic Plants to avoid 

Aloe

Amaryllis

American Holly

Baby’s breath

Apples

Cherries

Peaches

Plums

Apricots

Potatoes (causes vomiting)

Rhubarb leaves (causes vomiting)

Oregano

Asian Lily (cats: vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, kidney failure, death)

Autumn Crocus

Azalea

Begonia

Butterfly Iris

Calla lily

Carnation

Chives (causes anemia in cats & dogs)

Daffodil

Tulip

Hyacinth

Iris

Chrysanthemums

Garlic (causes anemia in dogs & cats)

Onions (causes anemia in cats & dogs)

Gladiolus

Hydrangea

Lilies - toxic to cats

Satin Pothos

Schefflera

Shamrock Plant

Snake Plant

St. John’s Wort

Stargazer Lily

Sweet William

Dahlia

Lily of the Valley

Peony

Forget-me-nots

Peace Lilies

Coleus

Lavender

Lenten Rose

Gardenia

Tomato plants 

https://www.animalhealthfoundation.org/blog/category/what-your-pet-shouldnt-ingest/page/2/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Pjw7quP-AIVRsvICh0xjwEJEAAYASAAEgLduvD_BwE 

https://www.preventivevet.com/pets/safe-vegetables-for-dogs-and-cats#safe-vegetables