I love everything about flowers: the colors, petals, scents, and leaves. My dog loves them, too. So every year I refresh my memory on which flowers are dog friendly and which flowers I need to be more careful around. The cute little pansies pictured above are Chloe’s favorite spring flowers. I’m glad they’re considered dog friendly.
The Dog Honest Truth About Flowers & Gardens
When it comes to dogs and gardens, the truth is I’m careful around all plants, even ones that are thought to be dog safe. I planted dog friendly red weigela and white flowering ninebark shrubs in a previous garden (see above photo). At the time I had a little shih-tzu named, Fred. He was so fast! He would get the zoomies and run in circles all over the yard. Oddly, he didn’t like mulch. He only ran where there was grass. So I planted my shrubs in a mulched borders at the edge of the yard and around the patio. He never bothered them. It’s a garden design I still use with shrubs and dogs.
Some plants are technically safe for dogs, but parts of the plants can still make a dog sick. For example, in the above photo the small spruce alongside the bench is safe for dogs, but it’s needles can irritate a dog’s mouth and causes indigestion.
Roses are also dog friendly flowers, which is good because I love them. I plant wild rose bushes or hardy shrubs so I don’t need to use toxic sprays for bugs or mildew. The bark and flowers are safe for dogs, but obviously they can be a bit thorny, too.
Tulips, on the other hand, are toxic to dogs. I used to plant tulips every year, until I found out that this happy little plant is sadly not safe for dogs. That’s a bummer since these flowers are so popular in spring. Their toxicity is good to know about.
Two more plants that I’ve learned to be cautious around are clematis and hydrangea. Again, two of my favorite flowers. Right now I don’t have clematis in my garden, but I do have several hydrangeas. I’ve planted them in beds at the edge of my yard and keep Chloe away from them. (As a side note, I don’t let my dog out in my yard unsupervised. We go out to play in the yard together.)
Let’s return to dog friendly flowers. Two of my favorite dog friendly flowers are zinnias and calibrachoa. They’re also easy to grow which is another plus.
I don’t grow many vegetables anymore, but I do grow tomatoes. I know many dog owners who also grow tomatoes. A ripe tomato won’t hurt a dog. However, unripe tomatoes, stems and leaves contain chemicals that can make dogs pretty sick. I grow my tomatoes in a raised beds with a visible border. Chloe learned quickly not to go in an area with a border.
Flowers, Dogs & Working With Me
The list of safe plants is long, but the list of toxic plants is also very long. As a dog photographer, I think part of my job is to have a good working knowledge of dog friendly plants. But, it’s almost impossible to know all the different plants so I have strategies in place when working with dogs to keep them safe.
When you work with me, we always have a Planning Session. During the Planning Session I’ll take a few moments to find out about your dog, any allergies or sensitives, likes, and dislikes.
We’ll also select a safe location for the session. If you choose your yard, I’ll come and do a quick location scout so I know in advance about your plants. If we choose another location, you can rest assured I’ve already scouted it for plants. I also will arrive early on Photo Session day to make sure that no one has left anything behind that will jeopardize your dog’s safety.
These are just a few of the strategies I have in place to make sure our photo session is fun, enjoyable, and safe for your dog and you.
You can find out more about by requesting a Welcome Guide. I’d love to photograph you and your dog in your favorite flowering location.
Beth
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