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| I don't want any poisonous stuff ending up in my garden! |
We may not realize how much weed killer, bug spray, and pest control is being used in or near public spaces. We think parks, walking and hiking paths, and other public spaces that spray pesticides or place pest traps close to where we walk our dogs are safe.
The truth is, substances that are toxic to dogs and cats can end up in places pets can easily get to. Dogs can stick their noses deep into grasses or flower beds where insecticides have just been sprayed. They could ingest grasses or plants that have been sprayed as well.
Pest baits and traps can also be hazardous to pets. Even if they're placed where pets are not allowed, they can be inadvertently moved to locations in a variety of ways, even by other animals! Birds can pick them up if they're lightweight and end up dropping them in another location, like your back yard!
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| I was shocked to find that the ant bait I had staked into the ground behind a shrub ended up in our driveway! |
Imagine my surprise when I found that one of the ant baits, which I staked into the ground behind a shrub, ended up on our driveway! The bait had little teeth marks around it, indicating that a squirrel or other small animal had gotten hold of it. Fortunately, it was left on the driveway where I could see it. A squirrel or other small animal could have easily taken it and moved it into the yard where we wouldn't see it, but our dogs would have gotten hold of it!
A friend of ours once threw some rodent bait into their attic because they thought mice or rats were in there. The bait was in the form of cubes. The directions said to just toss the bait cubes around in the attic and the offending rodents would eat them and die. Here's the problem; any rodent that got into the attic could have easily carried off the bait and deposited it in a backyard or anywhere else in the neighborhood. After I heard that, I resolved never to use that type of pest control product in our home or yard. It's too risky!
Pest traps and baits can also be inadvertently moved by re-positioning or accidentally kicking a garden hose, a bird picking up and dropping it in your yard, or even being picked up and moved by a curious child.
If you place this type of trap or bait around your property, check on the traps frequently and check your yard to ensure traps or bait haven't ended up where pets or small children can get to it! Or better yet, search for natural insecticides and pesticides rather than the chemical laden kind.
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| Pets can get into toxic materials in public places and even in our own yard. Be aware of your pet's surroundings at all times |
Even if you don't use these toxic substances around your home, they could possibly end up on your property or in a nearby park. Your pet could then be at risk for coming in contact with it.
Keep your eyes open, check your yard often to ensure nothing hazardous has landed there. Be alert at parks, dog parks, hiking trails, and at the beach for potentially poisonous items.
According to PetMD, symptoms of toxic poisoning in dogs include:
🕱 Fever
🕱 Vomiting
🕱 Diarrhea
🕱 Depression
🕱 Chronic Anorexia
🕱 Seizures
🕱 Muscle Tremors
🕱 Hypersalivation
🕱 Constricted pupils
🕱 Increased heart rate
🕱 Lack of coordination
🕱 They have trouble breathing
If you want to know what the most common pet toxin is in YOUR state, you'll find it on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Conter's article on the Top Toxicity Calls Per State
If your pet has ingested any poisons, immediately call your Vet or the Pet Poison Hotline at 800-213-6680 OR call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.
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Has your pet ever encountered a poisonous substance in your yard or on a walk? Tell us about it in the Comments. We love hearing from you!
