I was inspired to write about dog-friendly planting because many of the orchards and forest gardens we work with at The Orchard Project are open to the public. When visiting a community greenspace, often the first people you meet are dog walkers, who visit regularly. They may support their local orchard or forest garden but may feel wary of losing precious open space where their dog can exercise. So, it’s good to be able to offer them some reassurance that new orchards or forest gardens will be safe for their dog.
When we design community spaces, we often think about attracting biodiversity and we may introduce unusual non-native perennial plants that are edible for humans. But how can we be sure these plants will be safe for dogs and wildlife? There are many plants that are edible for humans but not safe for animals to eat (e.g., the onion family or ‘alliums’) and of course plants that are not safe for either people or animals (e.g., daffodil bulbs). There are also plants and herbs that can be beneficial for animals, like mint.
Forest garden plants that are toxic to dogs
Please note, this list is not exhaustive. Always check with a vet if you are unsure.
- Grapevine: grapes are highly toxic to dogs, causing kidney problems – even 1 or 2 grapes could be fatal
- Lily: the pollen, bulbs and foliage of all types of lilies are potentially toxic to dogs and cats
- Avocado: contains persin which is toxic for dogs. They also have a high fat content and a large pit which is a choking hazard
- Macadamia nuts: toxic even in small amounts
- Gooseberries: plant and unripe berries contain glyoxylic acid, which can lead to kidney stones
- Rhubarb: leaves and stems contain oxalate crystals which can cause irritation and kidney damage
- Potato: avoid green potatoes, leaves or stems
Pips, stones or seeds should generally be avoided, e.g., apples pips contain small quantities of cyanide. Nutshells can cause irritation or blockages.
Ornamentals
There are a number of ornamental plants that dogs should be discouraged from eating and many of these are also toxic to people. These include bluebells, cyclamen, tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, asparagus fern, azalea, rhododendron, hydrangea, chrysanthemum, lily of the valley, sweet peas, primroses, honeysuckle, foxglove, cherry laurel, hellebores, ivy and mistletoe.
Symptoms of poisoning
If a dog has eaten something in the orchard that is unsafe, these are some of the symptoms you might see include: vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, lethargy, seizures, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, salivation, panting or disorientation.
This would depend on what has been eaten. It is important for dog-walkers to keep a close eye on their pets to prevent them from eating unknown plants and to monitor for symptoms of poisoning. If there are any concerns, seek veterinary advice immediately.
So what can I plant?
The good news is, there are lots of interesting plants that you can happily grow to ensure your community greenspace is dog-friendly. Dogs can normally eat all of the following below, but they are best given in small quantities. As with people, it is possible that some animals might have an allergy, so check with your vet first and always introduce new foods in small quantities:
Vegetables: Peas, sweet potato, green beans, carrots, cucumber, courgette and tomatoes (but not the leaves, stems or unripe tomatoes)
Fruit: Your canine companion will enjoy sharing the following with you – strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, apples (pips removed!), pears
Herbs
You may have observed dogs selecting certain plants to self-medicate, as when they eat grass. How about setting up a special area with animal-friendly herbs? These could include:
- Rosemary: high in minerals and antioxidants
- Mint: relieves digestive upset, good for travel sickness
- Oregano: soothing for digestion
- Parlsey: contains flavonoids, antioxidants and vitamins as well as being anti-inflammatory
- Basil: anti-inflammatory, antioxidants
- Cinnamon: anti-inflammatory and regulates blood sugar in small amounts
- Coriander: relieves digestive upset; not suitable for pregnant animals
- Ginger: safe in small doses for regulating blood sugar and anti-inflammatory
- Fenugreek: anti-inflammatory and regulates blood glucose
Note: it is always best to introduce new food in small amounts
Top tips for a dog-friendly orchard
Dogs are known for their nosey-noses! They have an excellent sense of smell and often like to root around in planted areas. By creating paths and clearly defined boundaries you can reduce the risk of dogs running through plant beds. However, avoid cocoa bean shells for paths or mulch – theobromine is toxic to dogs.
Preventing access to known toxins by growing these in a separate area reduces risk of poisoning.
Make sure dogs do not have access to compost areas, as some of the plants in there, along with certain moulds, could be toxic.
Avoid non-organic slug pellets, as these are toxic for all animals and wildlife.
You might like to set up a dedicated area for stimulating play and digging (as this can be very annoying in your forest garden beds!).
Most importantly, keeping dogs under control, closely monitored, and on a lead will ensure that the community can grow the plants and foods they would like to, while keeping animal visitors safe. In addition, providing water for dogs to drink is important, especially in hot weather, and will hopefully keep them out of the wildlife pond!
Disclaimer: This blog has been written to share ideas and get you thinking about creating dog-friendly urban greenspaces It is not a definitive list of poisonous plants or their constituents, nor is it a guide for herbal treatments. So please always do your own research before deciding on plant selection for your growing space and seek veterinary advice if you have any concerns about specific plants or foods.
Written by Witchhazel, Swansea Project Manager
References and further reading
12 Tips for a Dog-Friendly Garden
Herbs & spices that are good for dogs
What fruit and vegetables can dogs eat?