UrbanAnimal

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Dear UrbanAnimal,

My husband and I just moved into a new home with our two chocolate labs and three cats. While I was showing the gardens to my sister, she pointed out a number of plants that are toxic to animals such as lily and English ivy. I don't want to rip out all the plants and I don't want to build a fence around the entire garden as it would be cost prohibitive as well as unattractive.

I printed out a list of toxic plants from the Internet and it would appear that almost every garden plant I own will cause illness or death in animals. How serious is this list?

Carole

Dear Carole,

Thank you for sharing the list along with the photograph of your beautiful garden. The list (readers can locate it at www.cybercanine.com/toxicplants.htm) is scary stuff.

If you took the information to heart, your fabulous plants would end up in a compost heap. But, of course, a compost heap represents a stew of toxins in question along with an ongoing buffet for rodents and other wildlife. It's no wonder so many of us are feeling paranoid these days.

It seems that we've become programmed to worry about just about everything in our lives and, when it comes to our pets, many of us are over the top with concern.

The list you printed off the Internet is also available at many pet-related sites and includes much more than lilies and English ivy. Some of the most popular garden plants are listed, including azalea and the entire rhododendron family, bleeding heart, foxglove, boxwood, buttercup, clematis, chrysanthemum, hyacinth, iris, morning glory and many others.

And don't forget the fruit trees - cherry, elderberry, peach. If any readers are thinking, "Thank goodness my vegetable garden is safe!" I have sad news: the list includes potato, tomato, garlic, onion and others.

Does this mean you'll be paving your backyard?

I hope not,

My first response when I see frightening lists like this is to check with my veterinarian to get the facts. Exactly what part of the plant is toxic and which varieties pose a real risk?

On the other paw, I appreciate the people who compile these lists prefer to take the "better safe than sorry" approach. But not all varieties of these plants are dangerous; not all parts of these plants are toxic. And not all animals are sensitive. I'd suggest you seek your veterinarian's advice before you destroy your garden or install a tall, expensive fence.

Even if you had the finances to outfit your enormous gardens in one of those beautiful wrought-iron fences, it would need to be tall enough to keep your labs from leaping over. And most cats will view a fence as just another challenge to be overcome. If they want to jump into the garden, they'll probably find a way, regardless of any barriers. And, of course, you'll still need to prune any leaves and branches that protrude through the fence into the animal-safe zone.

If your veterinarian is particularly concerned about any of your plants, remove them and consider putting them in a raised planter or hanger where the pets can't reach. Or, if you're still worried, donate it to someone who doesn't have pets.

You'll want to be careful with using pesticides or other chemicals in your gardens. Many communities have banned pesticides but some avid gardeners may have kept a small arsenal for their personal use. Your best bet is to search for natural alternatives that will keep your garden healthy and vivid while posing no risk to pets and wildlife.

An animal that has ingested poison may show any of the following signs: excessive salivation, shivering, hyper-excitability or depression, vomiting, diarrhea, pinpoint pupils, shock, collapse, laboured breathing, anorexia, blood in urine or feces and nosebleed. If you see any of these symptoms in your pet, call your veterinarian immediately.

Looking again at the pictures you sent, Carole, it would be such a shame to give up such an awe-inspiring assembly of fabulous plants. I hope your veterinarian can give you the information you need to decide which plants can stay and which need to be moved away from furry noses.

E-mail jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion.