Keeping your Yard Safe for your Dog

As we transition into Autumn, many of us are looking forward to the cooler, more comfortable temperatures that this season brings. With the heat of summer behind us, it’s the perfect time to tidy up our gardens, trim overgrown plants, and prepare our outdoor spaces for the months ahead. Whether you're planting new flowers, pruning shrubs, or simply enjoying some time outdoors with your dog, it's essential to be aware of the potential hazards that may be lurking in your garden.

As much as we love our dogs and the great outdoors, there’s one area that often goes unnoticed when it comes to pet safety: the plants in our backyard. While many plants are beautiful and non-toxic, some common garden plants can actually pose significant health risks to your furry friends. If you live in Australia, you may have a variety of plants in your garden that can be harmful or even fatal to dogs if ingested or touched. It's important to be aware of which plants can cause harm, so you can protect your pet and keep your outdoor space safe for them.

Here are some of the most common Australian backyard plants that can cause serious health issues in dogs:

Oleander (Nerium oleander): Oleander is a beautiful, flowering shrub often found in gardens across Australia. However, it’s also one of the most toxic plants for dogs. All parts of the oleander plant — including the leaves, flowers, and stems — contain toxins that can cause severe poisoning if ingested.
What to look for: Look for a bush with narrow, long leaves and beautiful, colorful flowers, often in shades of pink, red, or white.

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta): Though the sago palm is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens, it can be highly toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. The seeds or "nuts" of the sago palm contain a potent toxin called cycasin, which can lead to liver failure, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death. Ingesting even a small amount of the seeds can be fatal, so it’s essential to keep dogs away from this plant entirely. If your dog is suspected of chewing or eating a sago palm, prompt medical treatment is necessary.
What to look for: This plant has a palm-like appearance, with long, feather-like fronds and a central trunk. The seeds (often in a bright orange or red color) are particularly toxic.

Azalea (Rhododendron spp.): Azaleas are popular in Australian gardens because of their vibrant, showy flowers. However, these plants are toxic to dogs. The toxins in azaleas, known as grayanotoxins, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, and even heart arrhythmias.
What to look for: Azaleas are small, shrub-like plants with showy, vibrant flowers in colors like pink, purple, or white.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea): Foxglove is a perennial plant that produces tall spikes of purple flowers. While the plant is known for its striking beauty, it contains toxins that can cause serious harm to dogs.
What to look for: Foxglove features tall spikes of tubular flowers, typically purple, pink, or white, and has large, green leaves.

Castor Bean Plant (Ricinus communis): The castor bean plant, commonly known for its large, glossy leaves and distinctive red or yellow flowers, contains ricin — a potent toxin that can be fatal to dogs. The seeds of the castor bean plant are especially dangerous, but the entire plant can be toxic if ingested. 
What to look for: This plant has large, lobed leaves and often produces spiky, red or yellow flowers. The seed pods look like spiny balls and are highly toxic.

Lily (Lilium spp.): While lilies are known for their beauty and pleasant fragrance, they are particularly dangerous to dogs. Ingesting even a small amount of lily leaves or flowers can cause severe kidney damage.
What to look for: Lilies typically have large, trumpet-shaped flowers in a variety of colors (including white, yellow, and pink), and the foliage is often lance-shaped.

So many Australian homes contain at least of the above plants, particularly the Cycas, so take a little bit of time this weekend and go check out your garden for the above, so that your pup continues to stay safe.