Spring is in the air but watch out for seasonal danger

Keen gardeners will be looking forward to getting back outdoors but those with pets should think twice before adding certain plants and flowers to their garden.

Tulips can irritate your dog’s mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Normally they will only experience drooling, being sick and diarrhoea, but heart problems and difficulty breathing are also signs of tulip poisoning.Daffodils are poisonous to dogs if they eat the bulbs or flowers, or drink water from a vase with daffodils in. They can give your dog an upset stomach, make them vomit, and make them very sleepy and wobbly. A dog that’s been poisoned by daffodils might also have fits.

Bluebells, rhododendrons and the leaves and seeds of foxgloves are also toxic and can even be fatal so avoid planting in your garden and make sure dogs don’t consume any of these plants when out and about. Lilies are highly toxic to cats. Cats may want to eat them or if they brush past them in pollen they can easily absorb the poison when they groom.

Be aware at Easter that dogs will try and steal chocolate and eat it. While delicious, it is poisonous to them and cats too. It contains a chemical, theobromine, which is a bit like caffeine and is toxic to dogs and cats. As a general rule, the darker the chocolate, the higher the levels of theobromine become. It really is best to avoid your pets getting access to any sort of chocolate.

If you think your dog has been poisoned by anything, you need to act quickly and contact your vet as soon as your pet shows signs of being ill or behaving differently. If you have seen your dog eat something that they shouldn’t, don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Call your vet immediately and ask for their advice.

Further information about plants and foods poisonous to pets is available on the advice pages of the Blue Cross website.

To find out more about pets needing a loving home at Thirsk, how to donate towards their care or to volunteer for Blue Cross contact the centre on 0300 777 1540, email thirsk@bluecross.org.uk or visit www.bluecross.org.uk.