{"id":675,"date":"2019-03-07T10:16:06","date_gmt":"2019-03-07T17:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lonetreevet.com\/blog\/?p=675"},"modified":"2025-04-28T09:29:15","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T15:29:15","slug":"safeguarding-against-outdoor-pet-toxins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lonetreevet.com\/blog\/safeguarding-against-outdoor-pet-toxins\/","title":{"rendered":"Safeguarding Against Outdoor Pet Toxins"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Safeguarding<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As we settle in for another season of tinkering around in our garage and backyard, it\u2019s important to keep your pet\u2019s safety in mind. Many of the chemicals we commonly use for outdoor maintenance can injure or even kill a pet. Although you may not expect your pet to get into trouble in your garage or yard, pets can be known to eat just about anything, so protecting them from outdoor pet toxins<\/a> is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Common Outdoor Pet Toxins<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The spring thaw is the perfect time to review your lawn and garden supplies. Always store these supplies out of your pet\u2019s reach and properly dispose of empty containers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rodenticides\/Insecticides <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No one wants mice or rats inside their home or garage. However, rodenticides and insecticides are some of the most dangerous toxins. Anything designed to kill a rodent can also kill a dog or cat. Even if you keep the poison out of reach, a rodent may move the nuggets or granules to a different location that your pet could have access to. Whenever possible, use a nontoxic method for rodent control, such as traps or ultrasonic devices; you\u2019ll still need to put these in places your pet cannot reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compost Toxins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Compost bins can contain coffee grounds, onion peels, and other remnants of foods your pet shouldn\u2019t be eating. Decaying organic matter and moldy food could also sicken your pet. Keep compost bins securely covered at all times to prevent your pet from getting into them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blood and Bone Meal Fertilizers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gardeners often use these soil amenders to improve the yield of their flowers or vegetables. These high-nitrogen compounds can have serious side effects if ingested by pets, including nausea, bloody vomit, diarrhea, lethargy, pancreatitis, and intestinal obstruction (in the case of bone meal ingestion or ingestion of the packaging). Fertilizers containing iron also put pets at risk of iron poisoning, so the same cautions apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Herbicides<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exposure to herbicides, such as glyphosate, pyridine, 2, 4-D, and others, can have serious health consequences for pets. Gastrointestinal distress, tremors, central nervous system depression, and aspiration pneumonia can result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cocoa Bean Mulch<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chocolate production creates this fragrant mulch, which landscapers often use for its lovely color and scent. Unfortunately, cocoa bean mulch still contains theobromine and caffeine, two compounds that make chocolate extremely toxic to animals. This product’s delicious aroma especially attracts dogs, who may ingest enough to cause toxic side effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Landscaping Concerns<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Outdoor flowers and shrubbery are beautiful additions to any home. But making sure your greenery is pet-safe<\/a> should be high on your list of priorities. Before adding new landscaping, make sure the plants you choose are not on the ASPCA\u2019s list of toxic plants<\/a>. Some of the most common toxic landscaping plants include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n