Earth Day may have officially been last weekend, but we think every day should be earth day.
A little way you can help keep earth a nicer place for everyone, human and pets alike is to use biodegradable bags when you pick up your dogs waste.
Might we recommend Kyjen’s Pooch Pick-Up bags made with cornstarch.
The cornstarch helps aid in the bio-degradation of the bags when they reach the landfills. Be kind to Mother Earth even when it is as simple as picking up poop.
Here is a short list of plants that you see this time of year that are toxic to both dogs and cats.
Easter Lily (ALL Lilies)
While Easter Lilies are not toxic to dogs they are highly toxic to cats and can cause immediate kidney failure with only one leaf eaten. Other lilies such as the Calla Lily and the Day Lily are toxic to dogs. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, excessive drinking and urination.
Hyacinth
This flower is part of the lily family and can be highly poisonous. Symptoms include: Intense vomiting, diarrhea (occasionally with blood), depression and tremors.
Daffodil
The bulb of this flower is the most dangerous part, but any part of the plant can cause sever problems. Symptoms of ingestion are vomiting, salvation, and diarrhea. If a large amount is eaten it can cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors and cardiac arrhythmias.
Tulip
Again this flower is in the same family as the lily and like the Daffodil the bulb has the highest amounts of toxins. Symptoms to watch for are vomiting, depression, diarrhea, and extreme or hypersalivation.
Easter Rose
This plant is also known as Hellebore, Christmas Rose, or Lenten Rose. It is not a rose at all rather a bushy stalk with pinkish white flowers. Symptoms of ingestion are drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea, colic, and depression.
For a complete list of toxic plants please see the ASPCA’s list of Plants Toxic to cats, dogs and horses.
As the weather is getting warmer, many homeowners are beginning to treat lawns and tend to flower gardens. Many pet lovers are unaware of the potential dangers these simple tasks may pose to dogs and cats and need to take precautions when preparing to use chemicals.
As you work outside be sure to take an extra moment or two to protect your pets:
“Generally, most lawn seed and mulch products are not associated with toxic problems in pets. Cacao bean mulch is perhaps the only product known to cause poisoning in dogs. This mulch is made from the hulls of cacao beans and when fresh, has a rich chocolate aroma associated with it. Some larger breed dogs have actually eaten several pounds of the mulch; more then enough to develop poisoning associated with the chocolate remnants, so overly eager dogs should be kept away from the mulch until the aroma has dissipated. Generally a heavy rainfall or thorough watering is all that is required.”
Spring is around the corner and with it is the mud that comes as the ground defrosts. A person may wonder, “how do I keep my dog and house mud free,” during the ground thawing months of March and April. DogToys.com would answer ”with a Bamboo Mud Magnet of course.”
This unique 2-in-1 design converts from a glove to a mitt to make cleaning your dog’s paws easier. Wipes paws clean without water. The mud magnet is made of super absorbent microfiber holding six times its weight in dirt and water.
It is quick drying too. Simply hang it by the loop to dry between uses. The mud magnet paw cleaner can be used multiple times before washing it. Can be machine washed and dried for easy clean up.
Use the mitt to clean larger surface areas and the glove for deep cleaning between toes.