We Love Coffee, But Dog’s Dont!

As we head away from these colder months and into Spring, many of us love to hit the backyard for some gardening, nothing compares to a lush healthy green garden! But, little did we know that when landscaping or treating our yard, many use topical pesticides and weed killers that can harm our dogs and other domestic pets.

For pesticides and mulches, remember to check the ingredients before spreading it on your garden. For mulches to achieve that dark-coloured consistency some brands use recycled ground coffee. Dogs are highly sensitive to caffeine, the main component found in grounded coffee. If such mulch is ingested, your dog may experience an upset stomach and elevated heart & respiratory rates. So be sure to ask your local nursery or do some research so you know what ingredients are used on your mulch before putting it on your garden.

Some dogs already have allergies and can experience hypersensitivity to topical chemicals. A serious allergic reaction with these chemicals may include diarrhoea, facial swelling, rapid hair loss, vomiting and labored breathing.

Remember, your dog licks their paws after outdoor exposure and some will frequently eat grass and soil, so it’s extremely important to watch what you put on your garden.