Dear Leah, 

For years, my family has longed for a rescue puppy to join our family! Well, that day has finally come, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have Roscoe in our lives. He’s an energetic little guy and wears out my children with all the playing and running about. It’s a win-win! 

Roscoe is definitely a puppy.He chews on and eats anything and everything! With the warmer weather, and things growing everywhere, I’m wondering: Are there plants that can make our puppy sick? Any tips you can give would be appreciated.

Signed, Fur Baby Lover

 

Dear Lover,

Congratulations on the addition to your family! Much like baby-proofing a home, puppy-proofing a yard must be done as well. Know what you have growing in your yard, and where. Tulips, hyacinth, daffodils and most types of lilies are highly toxic to our furry friends. Watch for signs that your pet has gotten into plants they probably shouldn’t have. Drooling, vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms of toxic plant ingestion.

It’s not just flowers and leaves that can make our pets sick. Consider your fertilizer and lawn treatments as well. If you are going to treat your lawn, be sure and keep Roscoe off of the grass until the treatment has had time to work its way into the earth.

Speaking of outdoors, did you know pets can experience seasonal allergies, the same as us? It’s true. Pollen and ragweed can cause major itching and scratching. While it may not seem like a big deal, if left untreated, all of that scratching can lead to bacterial infection. It would be beneficial to figure out what works and doesn’t work now, so you can be prepared for next year! Good luck!

Signed,

Leah

 

Leah Albert is a fictitious character. She likes wine and writing. Don’t ask her to be a matchmaker. Do send your questions to Leah at theniceadviceleahalbert@gmail.com.