Pets and plants. They seem like a perfect match, right? The garden is a great place for children and pets to play and explore. However, it’s essential to be aware of the potential dangers lurking in our homes and gardens. While there are plenty of hazards to navigate in both indoor and outdoor spaces, it is the transition between the two that poses a significant risk. Both pets and children are vulnerable to falling out of windows, but often, the supervision of pets is not given as much attention as it should be.
Falling from a window can have serious consequences for both humans and pets. Dogs and cats can be easily injured or even killed by the impact of falling from an upstairs window. In fact, there is a phenomenon known as High Rise Syndrome, where cats fall out of high rise flat windows. They can get startled by indoor noises while sitting on a window ledge, causing them to lose their balance.
You're reading: Creating a Safe and Pet-Friendly Home and Garden
While falling from a high window is risky, some cats sustain fewer injuries when they fall from higher levels compared to lower ones. It is believed that this is because they relax during the fall and land in a safer manner. To prevent these accidents, window guards or opening windows just a crack and fixing them at that point are sensible safety measures.
The Hidden Dangers of Plants
Danger can also lurk at ground level in our gardens. Many garden plants are toxic and can be deadly to pets. It may surprise you to learn that common flowers, shrubs, and trees such as marigolds, poppies, verbena, geraniums, lilies, and begonias are poisonous to cats and dogs. Other seemingly harmless plants like chrysanthemums, peonies, wisteria, and rhubarb leaves can cause damage to the central nervous system, including the kidneys and liver. Even seemingly innocent plants like tomato plants, asparagus ferns, dahlias, and hydrangeas can be toxic if ingested.
Read more : The Best Cat-Friendly Houseplants: Are Cat Palms Safe for Cats?
In addition to toxic plants, there are various products commonly used in gardens, garages, and homes that pose a danger to pets. Slug pellets, for instance, are among the worst offenders. Furthermore, plants that have been sprayed with insecticides can become toxic if ingested. Therefore, it is vital to consider what you are spraying in your garden and avoid using harmful substances.
Safe Boundaries and Happy Pets
Dodgy fences can also pose a risk. While you may be cautious about what you use in your own garden, it’s important to consider your neighbors’ fences as well. Cats, in particular, tend to ignore boundaries, and a hole in a fence can be a tempting adventure opportunity for a curious dog. The best approach is to teach your pet that eating plants or any other random item in the garden is not acceptable. Digging up bulbs should also be discouraged, as many of these are toxic too, not to mention expensive. Instilling good manners in your pet will foster a harmonious gardening relationship.
There are also microscopic predatory nematodes and beetles that gardeners would rather be without. Unfortunately, the populations of these beneficial creatures, as well as birds, have declined in recent years due to the use of garden chemicals and habitat loss.
Protecting Pets and Wildlife
To ensure the safety of both your pets and wildlife, it is advisable to become chemical-free and switch to biological control methods. Avoid planting toxic plants if your pet has a tendency to nibble on foliage. Instead, provide safe and palatable greenery that they can snack on. Regularly check the integrity of your fences to prevent any escape attempts.
Read more : Creating a Safe and Stunning Dog Friendly Garden
Remember, there are other dangers lurking in the garden too! Slimy creatures, for instance, should be avoided. For more information on this topic, refer to our post titled “Garden Dangers: Beware of Slimy Creatures.”
Pet-Friendly Plants to the Rescue
There’s no doubt that herbs and greenery can be beneficial for pets. Many plants aid digestion, boost the immune system, help with hairballs, maintain healthy teeth, and provide essential minerals and nutrients. One of the easiest plants to incorporate is cat grass or wheatgrass, which is considered a “superfood” not just for pets but also for humans.
Cat grass, also known as kitty grass, is essentially sprouted wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum). It is packed with nutrients for our furry friends, including vitamins A, C, and B, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Both cats and dogs love to snack on it, making it an ideal addition to your home. Simply keep a pot of cat grass indoors and allow your pets to help themselves.
Outdoors, there are several other herbs that are beneficial for pets. Burdock can aid digestive and kidney problems, while peppermint is excellent for digestion. Garlic grass, sprouted from a clove, is good for pets, but be sure to prevent them from eating the clove itself, as it is toxic. Cats especially enjoy catmint (Nepeta), which they love to roll in and sit on, but dogs can also benefit from it. You can also plant valerian, lavender, meadowsweet, and willow, as these plants are known to promote the overall health of your pets. The happiness of your pets will undoubtedly bring joy to their owners as well.
By taking these precautions and creating a pet-friendly environment, you can ensure the safety and well-being of your beloved pets while still enjoying the beauty of your garden.
Source: https://designsofapril.com
Category: Safe Plants
