Some Barks Are Worse Than A Bite

For as long as I can remember, there’s been a pet in my life.

I’ve had my share of mice, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, ducks, goats, horses and chipmunks. I even had a monkey once. But for the most part, this man’s best friend has usually been a dog.

Last August, Jessie, my companion of 10 years passed away rather suddenly. His death left a big void in my life and everyday routine.

My wife insisted on no more dogs.

I’d threatened to get a second dog last year but somehow was persuaded to get a truck instead. Go figure.

Not having a dog had a severe effect on my emotional and physical well being. Within two weeks, I began going to shelters and dog rescue organizations. I’d walk out in tears as there simply wasn’t a replacement for Jessie.

I’d determined that I’d look until early October but would then have to stop as I didn’t want to be training a puppy at winter’s doorstep. I’d just about given up and I was on my third visit to the North Shore Animal League in Port Washington where I met a rescue that had just arrived from Turks and Caicos.

She was shy beyond description but we immediately bonded. The staff assured me that once she’d overcome the trauma of her rescue and long airplane flight that in about two weeks she’d change dramatically. I was very skeptical but it was love at first lick and we became a pair.

So at this point you would logically be wondering what in the world this has to do with gardening and plants?

Well, it seems that during her early days down in the Caribbean this little shepherd mix probably learned to eat a lot of plants to survive. Once in my house, she found the plant life irresistible.

I’d never had a dog with such a trait and I began to wonder what she might eat that could hurt or even kill her. She’d reshaped my Christmas cactus, was more than fond of acorns and just about any flower she could snatch and run with.

What was I in for? What would she eat when I wasn’t looking? Worst of all, I had no idea what plants were poisonous to dogs.

Then I began to think about the series of mushroom classes I’d taken over the summer and how deadly toxic some of the shrooms could be. Sure enough, she was curious about them as well.

Having taken on the role of pack leader and daddy I had a lot to learn. So, I began to read up on plants poisonous to dogs. At the same time, I began to train her to control her herbaceous curiosity.

This was not an easy task. Not easy at all.

This got me to thinking. I began to take in the large scope of the issue. What about people who let their cats roam loose, those who take their guinea pigs and rabbits out for a romp on the lawn or in the garden? What happens when someone takes their iguana out for a stroll in the courtyard or tethers their parrot’s cage to a tree next to hanging baskets of annuals and tropicals. Horse people are usually pretty good about knowing what plants shouldn’t be growing in the paddocks and what trees can be fatal when gnawed on, but the rest of us pet owners are a bit more naive.

The first command that Esmeralda learned was “Out of your mouth!” and thank God she’s a quick learner. That doesn’t stop her from testing things but as long as I am vigilant, that one command can prevent an accidental ingestion.

I think the second most important thing to keep in mind is the assumption that no mushroom is safe. It’s amazing how many dogs die each year from eating wild mushrooms. The sad fact is that the symptoms from mushroom poisoning can take up to 12 hours to show up and by that point it’s usually impossible to reverse the toxic effects.

If your dog or cat does eat a wild mushroom there are some things you should do. First, try to get the mushroom out of their mouth. The real trick is to do this without inducing the pet to swallow. Then, if you can, get a sample of the mushroom for possible identification and immediately call your vet. Don’t assume you got it all before Fido did. If you can’t reach your vet, then call the nearest emergency vet center. If all else fails, call a pet poisoning hot line.

There are also choking hazards to think about. Dogs can choke on twigs, bark mulch, fruits, nuts, you name it.

If the pet is in a panic it can be very difficult to try to get his or her mouth open to see what’s going on. The writhing pooch may be scared enough to bite you as you try to help. Here again, be vigilant. Keep an eye on your pet, especially puppies, so you know what they’re up to.

The one houseplant that most of us probably think of when it comes to pets is the poinsettia because for generations we were taught that the white milky sap from this holiday plant was toxic. For generations, we believed it. But it’s not true. Poinsettias aren’t toxic to man or pets unless an obscene amount—a number of entire plants, not a few leaves or stems—is ingested.

Mistletoe and holly, on the other hand, can be severely toxic to both cats and dogs. If you think either has been eaten, seek help immediately.

Some Christmas tree sap and oils can also be mildly toxic. Additionally, the oils from firs can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach, as can the needles of a number of holiday evergreens. A few needles probably won’t do more than result in an upset stomach but some puppies don’t know when to stop.

A number of flower bulbs also can create problems if eaten by cats. Narcissus bulbs, amaryllis and bulbs in the daffodil family are highly toxic to felines. In severe cases, they can cause cardiac arrhythmias, kidney failure and convulsions. Daffodil bulbs are toxic to both cats and dogs.

It’s a cruel world. When it comes to pets, when we take them into our hearts we also need to protect them by being vigilant and reminding them that plants are not toys or to be eaten.

If you’d like a listing of links to plants that are toxic to animals, as well as some pet poison control hot line phone numbers, please send me an email and I’ll send you the links. Keep your vet’s number and local emergency veterinary center number within easy reach. Teach them well, and keep growing.