We all know April showers bring May flowers, but which of them are safe and edible for our dogs? Now we know most of us don’t go around feeding our dogs flowers, at least we hope not. We can tell you which flowers are safe and unsafe for your fur babies. And, we will also share some vegetables you can grow for some delicious treats!

Flowers

For us humans, flowers are pretty things to smell and look at. Dogs, however, may feel the need to try a few for a tasty snack. If you are looking to plant beautiful bouquets around your yard, in the Spanaway or Puyallup Washington area, that are dog (or cat) friendly, we have a list for you:

Doggy Do’s (Safe)

Aster

Alstroemeria

Celosia

Orchids

Pansies

Petunias

Roses

Snapdragons

Sunflowers

Spider plant

Violets

Zinnia

Doggy Don’ts (Not Safe)

Aloe Vera

Amaryllis

Azalea

Begonia

Birds of Paradise

Carnation

Chrysanthemum

Daffodils

Dieffenbachia

Eucalyptus

Iris

Ivy

Snake plant

Narcissus

Oleander

Poinsettia

Sago plum

Tulips

Wisteria

Fruits and Veggies

As some of us begin to plan out our vegetable and fruit gardens, let’s consider some scrumptious dog treats we can grow!

Let’s start with some fruits are a nice little snack for our tail-wagging buddies:

Apples: This particular fruit that Washington has an abundance of is high in vitamins A and C, and is also high in fiber. Make sure to remove stem, core, and seeds before treating your pup to some sweet apples.

Blueberries: These little berries can increase the amount of antioxidants in your dog’s body, and is high in fiber and vitamin C.

Strawberries: Strawberries are full in fiber, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, and omega 3 fatty acids. Just cut the stem off and wash thoroughly and your dog will be loving life!

And now on to the vegetables:

Carrots: Carrots are high in fiber and low in calories, so they make great everyday dog treats! Plus they are fairly easy to grow, and take up little room in your garden.

Brussel Sprouts: While brussel sprouts are rich in fiber and nutrients, they can cause some gas, so feed these treats in moderation.

Sugar Snap Peas: Snap peas are a good source of fiber, protein, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus. An easy veggie to grow, and even easier to pick, wash, and both you and the puppy can enjoy!

Pumpkin: There are so many health benefits to eating pumpkin, and it is sometimes referred to as the super fruit. Cooked or canned pumpkin is the way to go here. If your dog has an upset stomach, they will thank you for the pumpkin

Spinach: Spinach is rich in iron, antioxidants, and vitamin K, nothing but good for dogs.

Stay Away From These

There are a few fruits and vegetables dogs cannot have. Some can cause liver or kidney failure, amongst other health hazards. Here is a list of organic treats you will need to keep to yourself and away from our furry friends:

Avocado, asparagus, cherries, grapes, mushrooms, onions and garlic, and tomatoes.

Luckily, the list for home-grown treats is much longer than what we can’t share with our beloved puppy dogs.

If you are looking for a special kind of treat for your doggy, click here to book a spa day! Pawdicures, shampoo and blowdry, or even a nice trim up!