Do you know these pet garden dangers?

The sun is shining, the weather is warmer, and Brits are getting ready to get outdoors along with their pets.

But before you let your pets roam free, you may want to refresh your knowledge on some of the potential hazards your pet might come across as they start spending more time outside.

Toxic plants

Certain plants can be seriously toxic for household pets, causing such symptoms as vomiting, seizures, difficulty breathing and more.

Around springtime you should look out for these plants in particular that are toxic for both dogs and cats:

• Daffodils

• Tulips

• Bluebells

• Spring Crocuses

For more information on plants that may be harmful to your pet, check out the list of plants toxic to cats by Cats Protection and you can find a list of toxic plants for dogs on the Kennel Club website.

If you're getting ready to do some planting, the Veterinary Poisons Information Service have a list of plants that are non-toxic for household pets, so you can plant your garden with confidence.

Compost & fertilizers

Dogs can be highly attracted to the smell of compost, which can put them in quite serious danger if you leave compost piles out in the open.

Compost made at home often contains items that are toxic to dogs, like onion peels and garlic, as well as certain types of mould that have potential to make them seriously ill.

Fertilizers as well contain a number of potentially harmful substances, like pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides, that can pose a serious risk to your pet’s health if ingested, as well as meals like bone and blood meal that can be highly attractive to pets.

Make sure you keep any compost or fertiliser in your garden far out of reach of your pet and consider keeping it in a closed container to prevent it from attracting other wildlife as well.

Weedkillers and pesticides

Most herbicides are generally safe for animals providing they have been used properly, and your pet has been only minimally exposed. But as with any product that contains chemicals, if your pet directly ingests it or if they’re exposed to excessive quantities, it can have harmful effects.

With pesticides and insecticides, on the other hand, even a small amount of exposure can be potentially dangerous. Cats and dogs can be exposed to insecticides and pesticides by:

• Walking on lawns or plant beds after pesticides or insecticides have been applied

• Eating grass or weeds around the applied areas

• Eating or stepping on affected insects

• Directly ingesting products by accessing containers

Wild mushrooms and toadstools

While mushrooms typically thrive in Autumn weather, certain types can thrive year-round, and you’ll find plenty of them can pop up when the weather is cool and wet.

It can be difficult to differentiate between toxic and non-toxic mushrooms, so it’s better to be safe than sorry and take your pet to the vet if they eat a wild mushroom. Some can be highly poisonous to pets, so it’s important that you act fast and contact your vet as soon as possible.

Some symptoms to look out for that might indicate has eaten a toxic mushroom are:

• Excessive drooling or foaming of the mouth

• Diarrhoea and increase urination

• Vomiting

• Watery eyes

• Gastrointestinal distress

Toads

Late winter and early springtime, especially after damp and mild weather, you’ll often find toads migrating to their breeding grounds, which can take them through gardens and other urban areas.

While ingesting a frog or toad may have some generally unpleasant side effects, toads in particular contain toxins that can lead to illness. They secrete a toxic venom from their skin when they feel threatened, so even drinking water that a toad has bathed in can cause some nasty side effects for pets and people alike.

Symptoms to look out for that might indicate your pet has interacted with a toad are:

• Excessive drooling or foaming of the mouth

• Diarrhoea

• Vomiting

• Breathing difficulty

If you notice these symptoms or have witnessed your cat or dog eating or licking a toad, you should take them to the vet.

Ticks

Ticks and fleas are especially active around Spring and early Summer. These parasites can be picked up in tall grass, wooded areas, and from other animals. They will latch onto your cat or dog and feed on their blood, but that’s not the worst part.

These parasites can carry around some pretty nasty diseases for both pets and humans, most commonly causing the bacterial infection Lyme disease which can have serious long-term effects if not caught and treated quickly.

Around these months of increased activity, it’s worthwhile to check after a walk outside if any ticks have latched onto you or your pet.

On a dog or cat, use your hands to check around their body for any suspicious bumps. Important places to inspect would be their head, neck and ears (inside their ears too) as well as more hidden areas like their armpits and groin where they can often be missed.

You can also keep yourself safe by tucking your trousers into your socks if you’re walking through tall grass and doing an inspection of yourself before you enter your home to ensure you haven’t picked up any stowaways on your walk.

Litter

As the sun comes out, more Brits are going to take to outdoor spaces to hang out and bask, and this usually means an increase in litter around Spring and Summer.

It’s called Garbage Gut – or Garbage Toxicosis – when dogs in particular ingest mould and bacteria by eating dropped rubbish and litter.

Be wary of litter or, even better, pick it up and dispose of it properly if you see it to protect not just your pet but also other animals that might stumble on it.

There’s also likely to be more broken glass lying around from people dropping bottles, so be vigilant when going on walks that your pet doesn’t step on anything sharp.

Grass seeds

These barbed seeds can be more hazardous than you think. If a grass seed gets in a dog’s eye, they can cause irritation and in worst-case scenarios, they can cause serious damage to their corneas if they’re not removed.

Grass seeds can also get stuck in your pet’s nose and ears – even going so far as to get in their lungs. They can also penetrate their paws and get stuck under their nails, leading to painful irritation and infection.

Be mindful of where you walk your dog, avoiding long grasses, and regularly groom your dog or cat to reduce the chances of seeds getting trapped in their fur.

Adders

Adders are the UK’s only venomous snake. Although they generally pose little threat and are typically very shy, if cornered or caught by surprise by a household pet, they may lash out and bite.

These snakes become more active as the weather gets warmer, so be mindful of long grass and look out for the following symptoms in your pet that may indicate a bite:

• Puncture wounds

• Swelling, bruising, and redness around the wound

• Visible pain

• Drooling

• Vomiting

• Lethargy

Increased heartrate and panting

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your vet as soon as possible.

The effects of adder bites can vary, with smaller dogs and those with health issues being at greater risk, but acting fast and getting proper treatment gives your pet the best chance of a full recovery.

Algae and polluted water

As the weather gets warmer, lots of dogs are going to want to cool off in lakes and rivers but owners should be mindful of where they allow their dogs to swim

Water quality of the UK’s rivers and lakes is not great. Cases of dangerous blue-green algae increased last year, which can be dangerous for both animals and people.

Water pollution has also become a serious problem for the UK. The amount of sewage spilt into UK waterways doubled in 2023 compared to the year before and increased even further in 2024. This sewage increased levels of potentially harmful bacteria in waterways as well as other dangerous materials.

Before taking your dog out for a dip, you can check that the quality of beach or bathing water is safe. Be mindful of signs around rivers or lakes advising against swimming and if water quality is a concern, you can always use the garden hose.

Slugs and snails

Slugs and snails themselves aren’t necessarily poisonous for pets, but pets can pick up a nasty parasite known as lungworm by eating slugs or snails.

Lungworm can travel around the body and cause all sorts of problems, including breathing difficulties, heart failure, and seizures. In severe cases and if left untreated, lungworm can even cause death.

You should look out for slug or snail trails if you leave any toys or water bowls in the garden to make sure your pet doesn’t accidentally pick one up and check that these pests don’t hitch a ride on your pet’s fur after a dig or snooze in the flower beds.

Emergency vet appointments can be expensive, especially if you need to bring in your pet outside of your vet’s usual open hours. Depending on the nature of your emergency, vet appointments can cost around £200, not including the cost of ongoing treatment.

This is when pet insurance comes in handy. Not only can pet insurance cover the cost of emergency treatments, but many providers also offer additional benefits, like a 24-hour emergency phoneline for veterinary advice.