Summer has officially started which means it’s time to tend to your gardens! When choosing which plants to add to your garden and the products used to care for them, it is crucial to be aware of these key dangers.

Avoid toxic plants such as sago palms, azaleas, rhododendrons, oleanders, foxglove or lilies. Though these plants may be appealing to the eye, they can be toxic if ingested by pets. Sago palms can cause significant gastrointestinal distress and liver failure, while azaleas and rhododendrons can cause neurologic signs, and changes to heart rate and rhythm. Oleander and foxglove can also cause significant changes to heart rhythm. Lastly, lilies can cause kidney failure in cats.

Be wary if planting bulbs, such as daffodil, tulip, hyacinth or crocus. If your pet ingests the bulbs of these plants, they can cause significant stomach upset, and possibly even an obstruction. Daffodil bulbs can also cause low blood pressure and unsteadiness while walking. While spring crocus may cause mild nausea and vomiting, ingestion of autumn crocus can be very dangerous for your pet with possible effects ranging from severe gastrointestinal distress to changes to heart rate and rhythm, bone marrow suppression and multi-organ failure.

Use caution when selecting pest control for your garden. While everyone wants their garden to flourish, some of the products used to keep pests away can be harmful to your pets. If ingested, rodenticides can be life-threatening if not treated appropriately. Symptoms can include neurologic signs to kidney damage or internal bleeding. While most appropriately applied and dried herbicides and insecticides will only cause mild vomiting, exposure to concentrated or undiluted products could cause more significant effects, such as seizures, low blood pressure or breathing problems. Be very careful with slug or snail bait, as some of these products can cause severe signs like tremors, seizures and even death.

Pay attention when using fertilizer. Many fertilizers contain ingredients that are appealing to our pets. If large amounts of fertilizer are ingested, pets can show signs of stomach upset or neurologic signs like weakness and tremors.

Compost piles are great for your garden, but not for your pets! Several food items that are found in compost piles may be toxic including grapes, coffee grounds, garlic and onions. Some food material can also grow mold, and ingestion of moldy products can lead to signs of stomach upset and neurologic signs like tremors and seizures.

Pick an alternative to cocoa mulch. Like the name implies, cocoa mulch smells and tastes like chocolate, making it appealing to pets. If enough cocoa mulch is ingested, pets can develop signs ranging from stomach upset to changes to heart rate and rhythm, hyperactivity and seizures.

Use discretion when picking birdseed. Many of these products may contain raisins, which can cause kidney damage in dogs. Birdseed can also mold easily, and cause significant stomach upset if ingested.

Your garden can still flourish while keeping your pets safe if you follow these important recommendations. Always supervise your pets in areas where there may be toxic plants or plant products. And before you pick out this summer’s plants, be sure to check out our full list of toxic and non-toxic plants!

If you believe your pet has ingested anything toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.