Planting a Pet-Safe Garden

Spring is perfect for working on your garden. Pet owners should be particularly cautious that they don't accidentally poison their furry friends with their greenery.Cat owners should avoid planting lilies, as limited ingestion can cause kidney failure. Call your vet immediately if you suspect your cat has eaten any part of a lily.Crocuses are dangerous to pets. Depending on the species of crocus, your pet can experience symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to internal bleeding and respiratory failure.Ingestion of very lovely flowers can lead to fatal results. Unfriendly plants for pets include aloe, azalea, cyclamen, kalanchoe, oleander, dieffenbachia, daffodil, foxglove, certain palms, tulip, hyacinth and poinsettia.To satisfy your green thumb, consider planting something non-toxic to your four-legged friend. Ferns, orchids, succulents, snapdragons, roses, butterfly flowers, spider plants and African violets are all safe. You may consider growing vegetables that your pet can consume. Squashes, gourds, cucumbers, carrots and lettuce are safe bets. Avoid onions, garlic and chives. Potato leaves and skins are dangerous.You can try fencing off your garden from your pet. You know how curious your buddy can be, so keep that in mind.Fertilizer is bad for your pets. A cayenne insecticide can help fight pests. You may try giving your dog a bit of full strength cayenne spray so he knows it tastes terrible. He'll avoid the insecticide after that. Snail bait is toxic and looks like dog food.If your pet eats a potentially unsafe plant from your yard, take a photo of the plant with you to the vet.Listen in as Emmy award-winning veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber shares how to grow a pet-safe garden.