Amherst, NH Homeowner Learns Which Trees Are Not Pet Friendly
We received a call from a homeowner in Amherst, NH. The family had recently adopted a dog. After the dog began showing signs of being sick, the veterinarian was able to determine the root cause of the dog’s ailment – the family’s innocuous apple tree.
Fruit Trees Can Be Toxic To Family Pets
All types of apple trees, including the common crabapple, are toxic to dogs. The apple seeds, and often even the leaves of the tree, contain low levels of cyanide. This can cause a wide range of symptoms from an upset stomach to disorientation. Many other fruit trees, including cherries, plums, peaches and nectarines, pose choking hazards for pets if the pit and seeds are ingested. These larger pits can also cause obstructions, requiring significant veterinarian care.
Pet Owners Should Avoid Toxic Plants and Trees in Their Yard
There are actually a number of plants, shrubbery and trees that can pose potential hazards to pets in the home. It can be difficult, if not impossible, to keep a pet away from these dangerous plants. For this reason, it is important that the pet owner is vigilant in either cordoning off the area from the pet or removing the toxic source altogether.
In the case of the Amherst homeowner, after having a health scare already as a result of the apple tree they opted to remove it altogether. This eliminated the danger that it was posing to the young pup. The family can now rest easy knowing that their yard is free of dangerous toxins that could harm their pet.
