It is that time of the year when people are starting to tend to their gardens again. While we love filling our homes with our favorite plants and flowers, some of them can be dangerous to our furry friends.

To help keep your garden dog-friendly, the American Kennel Club offers the following advice.

Pick your plants carefully. From allergies to toxicity, various plants and flowers can cause numerous reactions in your dogs. Blooming plants, grasses and flowers can trigger seasonal allergies in your pup, while bulb plants such as tulips, daffodils and crocus can be extremely toxic if ingested. Other common plants such as sago palm and oleander are also poisonous to dogs. If you see any signs of allergies, you should take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Plan when you plant. Your pup will most likely want to spend as much time with you outside in the spring weather as they can. It is wise to garden without your dog present, otherwise they will conclude that playing with plants and digging are acceptable activities. This will also prevent them from eating any poisonous plants or flowers.

Designate a play area. Give your pup a play area outdoors that is separate from your garden. This will be a space where your dog can run around and burn some energy or even safely do some digging.

Be careful with pesticides. Pesticides can be hazardous to your pup. Do not use pesticides that include metaldehyde or methomyl, which are used for snail or fly bait. Be sure to follow the directions on the product carefully and store them in a place that your dog cannot reach. Avoid letting your dog walk on any lawns that have been treated with fertilizer, herbicides or insecticides. It is a good idea to search for pet friendly gardening solutions for weed removal and fertilizers to help prevent any risks if your pup interacts with these products.

For more information on responsible dog ownership, visit the AKC website at www.akc.org.

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