The days are longer, the sun is shining, and the flowers are blooming – with walking our dogs suddenly becoming less of a chore and more of an exciting adventure.
Dog owners in England have been warned a mistake on walks in March comes with a £500 charge. The days are longer, the sun is shining, and the flowers are blooming – with walking our dogs suddenly becoming less of a chore and more of an exciting adventure.
But with this come dangers that dog owners are urged to beware of. Eating the wrong plants can be fatal or cost you up to £500 at the vets, depending on the severity of the symptoms.
Dog experts at Kennel Store reveal how to keep your pet safe this spring and what plants to avoid. They said: “Daffodils are extremely dangerous if consumed by dogs, the bulbs are toxic and can cause severe illness or even death. These plants contain lycorine, which is toxic and can cause severe symptoms and sometimes even death.”
READ MORE 11 counties in England face ‘eight inch’ snow next week with ‘entire’ UK at risk
Experts estimate that around 1-2 out of 5 dogs might try digging up or eating a daffodil, particularly if they’re curious or not being supervised, and with them being in bloom from now until May, it’s important to be cautious and make sure this doesn’t happen to your dog.
Keep your dog in your sight at all times during a walk, keep them on a lead if you go near any flower beds and ensure not to have any of these flowers in your garden.
If your dog is experiencing any symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness or wobbliness, take them to the vet immediately as this could be a sign they’ve been in contact with a daffodil.
Studies show that around 7.8 million dogs in the UK are at risk of being exposed to poisonous plants, and daffodils aren’t the only ones to look out for. Many dog owners are unaware of which plants are poisonous, and some don’t know that plants can be harmful to dogs at all.
To be sure, teach your dog to leave things on command, and make sure they don’t go to play near flower beds.