Pet Friendly Landscaping for Cats, Dogs and Horses

Plants Toxic to Horses

Pastures almost never contain landscape plants. However, if a horse escapes the pasture and decides to munch on your landscape plants or clippings from the plants listed below are placed in the pasture, the result could be disasterous.

Yews (Taxus species) - Causes respiratory distress, collapse, circulatory failure, and possible death
Red maples (Acer rubrum) - Ingestion of wilted leaves causes weakness, irregular heart rate, loss of red blood cells, and death in 60% of the animals ingesting the wilted leaves
Oaks (Quercus species) - Causes diarrhea, rapid pulse, and death
Mountain laurel (Kalmia species) - Causes vomiting, bloat, weakness, muscular spasms, coma and death
Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) - Causes cyanide poisoning, which left untreated leads to death
Red Tip Photinia (Photinia species) - Causes cyanide poisoning, which left untreated, leads to death

NOTE: Even is a plant is not normally toxic, a pet can be intolerant of a plant and develop an allergic reaction. Always consult your veterinarian if you suspect abnormal behavior of any kind.

Additional Hazards in The Landscape

Mulch: Never use cocoa bean mulch. This is highly toxic to cats and dogs and contains a lethal ingredient called theogromine. If your cat or dog ingests this mulch in any quantity, the likely result may be death.

Fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides: If your pet ingests fertilizer (containing iron) serious gastrointestinal problems may result and could cause multi-organ damage (depending on the amount ingested). Pesticides and herbicides contain many chemicals that can cause severe damage to the organs in your pets. If you are applying fertilizer, herbicide, or insecticide to your property, make sure your cats and dogs do not access this area until it is safe (check the manufacturer's label regarding safe usage practices). On the other hand, if you hire a professional to apply any of these products to your landscape, seek their advice regarding how soon your pet can enter the area treated.

If you suspect that your pet has eaten a potentially poisonous plant, or ingested any other landscape chemicals, look for the following symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, panting or drooling, lethargy, weakness, disorientation, seizures, loss of coordination, rash, swelling (face and paws) and difficulty breathing. If you note any of these symptoms in your pet, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary center immediately. All pet owners should have a well stocked emergency kit and a list of important phone numbers including a 24-hour vet clinic and animal poison control center.

Our designer is very knowledable about toxic plants and materials in the landscape. Call us today for more information about a custom, pet friendly landscape design and installation that will allow you and your pet to happily live and play together in a safe environment.

Plants Toxic to Dogs and Cats >