Dangerous chemicals
Commonly used garden chemicals can be dangerous and should be stored safely out of the way of children and pets. Liquids such as white spirit and barbecue lighter fluids can cause serious poisoning if swallowed, licked off fur, absorbed through the skin, or inhaled.
Garden intruders
Most intruders come into gardens through gates or over fences, so it is important to keep garden gates closed. Urban foxes in particular are very successful at gaining unauthorised entry, posing a threat to rabbits and guinea pigs. Keep small pets safely in their hutches and never let them out of their cages unsupervised.
Bees, wasps and hornets can give a pet a nasty sting. This can be especially dangerous if the pet is stung in the throat while eating one of these, or is stung several times at once. Check gardens for nests and contact local pest control.
Watch out for toads
When threatened, toads secrete an irritant poison that will hurt a curious pet’s tongue or skin. If this happens, rinse the affected area with plenty of water and phone the vet as soon as possible.
Herbicides
Before using any herbicides (weedkillers), read and follow the instructions very carefully. There is a wide range of weedkillers available on the market, and some can harm pets if accidentally swallowed. Plants treated with some weedkillers may also be poisonous if eaten. Some pets are able to absorb chemicals through the skin, either directly through spillages or indirectly from a walk through treated plants.
Pesticides
Many gardeners use chemical pesticides to rid their gardens of unwanted insects, slugs and snails. These chemicals can be harmful; use them exactly as instructed.
Some slug bait pellets and rat poison pellets can be deadly if swallowed, and it is very important to keep pets away from treated areas if this is the case. However, there are alternatives to using poisons. Try pet-proof slug traps.
Often gardeners recommend trying a chemical-free, or organic, approach to gardening. Local nurseries are the best place to go for expert advice about both traditional and organic methods of pest control.
