Pet Safety in the Garden | Texas Native

Pets bring joy, companionship and unconditional love to many people. However, if you have a vegetable garden or ornamental plants, they can also pose some challenges. Some pets have a habit of nibbling on anything in sight—including plants that may be harmful to them—while others love to dig or "mark their territory," potentially disrupting flower beds and garden spaces.

Worried about your pet biting off more than they can chew from a plant in your yard? At the end of your leash when it comes to a dog or cat who loves to roll, dig or do their business in your flower beds or garden?

Read on to learn more about pet-safe gardening and landscaping, including common plants that might be poisonous to pets, whether products like mulch are safe for dogs and cats and a few humane strategies for making your flower beds less attractive to furry admirers.

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What Common Plants Can Be Harmful or Poisonous to Pets?

Many common plants found in yards and gardens can be harmful to pets and even larger animals like livestock. Some contain toxins that can cause digestive issues, neurological symptoms, or even severe poisoning if ingested. Others may have sharp thorns or irritating compounds that can lead to skin reactions or discomfort. Whether you have a vegetable garden, ornamental plants, or landscaping greenery, it’s important to be aware of potential risks and choose pet-safe options whenever possible.

The ASPCA has a fairly exhaustive list of more than 400 plants, both common and rare, that can be harmful or poisonous to pets The non-profit also operates a free pet poison control center hotline at (888)426-4435, staffed by professionals who can provide knowledgeable guidance and advice if your pet has eaten something they shouldn't.

Here's a few of the more common plants in our yards, flowerbeds or homes that can potentially be harmful to pets:

ALOE VERA

While the gooey gel inside the spiky aloe vera plant might be great for soothing kitchen burns and scrapes, the plant can be toxic to dogs, cats and even horses if eaten, causing diarrhea and unusual fatigue.

LAVENDER
With both beautiful flowers and a heavenly scent, lavender is a one-two punch of loveliness for any ornamental bed. However, the oils that give lavender that great smell can be harmful to pets if eaten, causing loss of appetite, vomiting and stomach upset.

MILKWEED
Butterflies love milkweed, but keep it away from your pets. Some types of milkweed contain toxins that can cause significant health issues if swallowed. Depending on how much was ingested, symptoms might include kidney, liver or respiratory failure.

CHRYSANTHEMUM ("MUMS")

While beautiful chrysanthemums are the floral superstar of autumn, they can cause intestinal or drooling issues and rashes if eaten by pets. Keep this in mind if you purchase seasonal potted mums, as pets are often attracted to what's new or different.

AMERICAN HOLLY
Beautiful deep green with red berries in the winter, the American Holly is a Christmas classic. However, the leaves and fruits of the American Holly are poisonous to both dogs and cats and can cause digestive issues like diarrhea and vomiting.

AZALEAS

Coming in a wide variety of colors, azaleas are a beautiful element of many southern yards. However, the plant and its leaves can be poisonous to pets if chewed or swallowed, potentially causing intestinal issues, weakness and even heart failure.

BLACK WALNUT
Black Walnut trees can be found in many yards across the South, dropping nuts that might look like an enticing chew toy to a dog or cat. However, black walnut shells can be highly toxic to pets and can cause issues like tremors, loss of coordination and seizures.

IRISES
Delicate and full of color, Irises are a crowning glory of many springtime flowerbeds. However, the plants can be toxic to dogs, cats and horses, causing issues like drooling, unusual fatigue and intestinal distress, especially if pets chew or ingest the woody underground bulbs.

DAFFODILS
Daffodils are the primary floral harbingers of spring in the South, promising warmer temperatures and rebirth. But these beauties can be big trouble for dogs and cats, potentially causing intestinal problems if only a tiny amount is eaten and life-threatening issues like convulsions, tremors and heart problems if more is swallowed.

ELEPHANT EARS

Multiple plants get called Elephant Ears, but they're all distinguished by thick stems and broad leaves in various colors. Many of these plants can be toxic to dogs and cats if chewed or swallowed, causing irritation and burning of the lips, tongue and mouth, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.

GARLIC, ONIONS and OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ALLIUM FAMILY
Never give garlic, onions, chives, or any member of the pungent allium family to a dog or cat or let them chew on above-ground stems. Compounds in these plants can be toxic to pets, damaging red blood cells and potentially causing anemia and issues like blood in the urine, fatigue, high heart rate and other symptoms.

HYDRANGEAS

The snowball-like blooms of hydrangeas are a delight in the summertime, but help your pets to steer clear. That's because these plants contain small amounts of cyanide. Being severely harmed or poisoned by hydrangeas is very uncommon, but eating or swallowing the leaves, stems and flowers can cause stomach issues like vomiting or diarrhea.

If in doubt about a plant your pet has eaten or chewed, keep an eye on them. If anything seems amiss, play it safe and contact a veterinarian or call the ASPCA pet poison control hotline.

Need advice on how to keep your garden growing? Now it's Texas Native's time to shine! We're your trusted source for reliable answers about soil, mulch and compost. Feel free to reach out with any questions, because we're here to help! Contact us today!

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Is Mulch Harmful to Pets?

Texas Native mulches are 100% non-toxic and safe for pets, children and livestock, giving you peace of mind when using them in your garden or landscaping. We take pride in our commitment to sustainability and produce all our mulch from responsibly sourced, all-natural materials. Texas Native mulch is safe for pets and people because it's made from 100% recycled wood debris.

We collect natural, untreated wood chips, bark, tree limbs and other scraps that are a by product of land clearing and development. Normally taken to a landfill, these materials are processed and then double-shredded in an industrial grinder.

Once ground to the proper size and texture, the material is screened and aged.  From there, Texas Native Hardwood and Cedar mulches are carefully refined, while our colored mulches are dyed with non-toxic, biodegradable, FDA-approved pigments to achieve rich, vibrant shades of black, brown and red.

Visit this link to learn more about our process. Ready to grow? Shop Texas Native's complete selection of premium mulch here. 

How Can I Keep Pets Out of My Flower or Garden Beds?

Here are a few easy, non-toxic deterrents that you can try to keep cats and dogs out of your flowers or garden.

BLACK OR CAYENNE PEPPER

A light dusting of dry black pepper or cayenne pepper in areas of the garden where animals tend to roam can be an effective deterrent. Coarse chili flakes are another great option, as they tend to stay in place longer than finely ground powders. Whatever method you choose, remember that pets have highly sensitive noses, far more so than humans—so a little goes a long way.

VINEGAR SPRAY
A simple, natural deterrent, diluted vinegar can help keep both cats and dogs away from your garden. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply it around the edges of flower beds, garden paths, or any areas where pets tend to wander. The strong, acidic scent is unpleasant to animals, discouraging them from entering or digging.

DIY PET BARRIER

If digging pets are disturbing your flower beds or garden, a simple DIY pet barrier can help keep them out without harming them. By laying chicken wire, lattice, or hardware cloth just beneath the mulch or topsoil, you create a surface that’s uncomfortable for paws to scratch, discouraging unwanted digging. It’s completely non-toxic and doesn’t require any sprays or chemicals.

Looking for natural, effective ways to keep pets and wildlife out of your garden? A great resource is "America's Master Gardener" Jerry Baker, who hosted a long-running gardening show on PBS.

One of his tried-and-true solutions for deterring cats from using garden beds as litter boxes is to mix coffee grounds, cayenne pepper and diced orange peels into the top layer of soil. The strong scents and textures naturally discourage unwanted visits—without the need for harsh chemicals.

Contact Texas Native

For over 35 years, Texas Native has been collecting organic materials and transforming them into sustainable landscaping products. We divert green waste from landfills and burn piles, then use it to create products that help our local contractors and homeowners conserve water and promote soil health in their landscapes.

Today, the Texas Native brand offers more than 40 different premium mulch, soil, compost and aggregate products across the state of Texas. We're available at a home improvement store near you.

Have questions? Contact us today through our convenient online form, phone (512)259-7430, or send an email to info@austinwoodrecycling.com.