Pet Proof your Yard

Take the same precautions with pets in the yard as you would if you had young children rolling around in the grass and dirt.

Fertilizers, lawn chemicals, and weed control products can all be toxic to your pet. Read the manufacturers labels on these products. If it's hazardous to humans, you can bet it's hazardous to animals as well. Sometimes it's an issue of concentration. A product may be fine for a pet at .05% but can turn deadly at 1% concentration. Ask your veterinarian for product recommendations or go online to research pet-friendly gardening products.

And remember to carefully select your plants, both indoors and out. Many common plants such as Boston ferns, poinsettias and lilies are poisonous to our pets. Finally, be aware a large number of dogs drown each year in backyard pools. Older dogs with unsure footing or diminished sight may panic. Build a high fence around your pool and keep your pets out when you're not around to supervise.

Article by Dr. Jeff Werber, DVM