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While gardens can be a great place for pets to explore and play, some seemingly harmless plants and gardening products can be poisonous for animals or pets. Here are the garden products to avoid:
Cocoa mulch
Some gardeners like to use cocoa shell mulch in their gardens but, just like chocolate, cocoa shell mulch contains theobromine （可可碱）, which is poisonous to dogs. This means that
cocoa shell mulch can be potentially deadly if consumed in large quantities. If you own a dog
I’d strongly advise that you avoid using cocoa mulch in your garden.
Compost
Despite being an eco-friendly garden feature, compost can be highly dangerous for animals. As organic matter decomposes, it releases mycotoxins （霉 菌 素 ）, which are poisonous to wildlife.
Consumption of mycotoxins can cause panting, vomiting （呕吐）, seizures and even death in dogs.
If you do use compost in your garden, make sure it is securely fenced off so that your pet cannot access it.
Weed killer
The chemicals contained in weed killers can be irritants to animals and, in some cases, even poisonous. Some weed killers contain harmful substances, such as borax and arsenic, which can potentially be fatal to pets. If you are unsure whether a weed killer is safe to use
in a garden that your pet uses, you should always seek the manufacturer’s advice first, or ask
a vet （兽 医 ）.
Fertiliser
Different fertilisers can contain a wide range of ingredients, including insecticides, fungicides and bacterial. The caustic nature of some fertilisers also means that, if consumed, they can cause stomach upsets for pets. Some fertilisers can also cause more serious symptoms, such as vomiting, muscle tremors or even death, so keeping your garden fertiliser free is the simplest way to ensure that it is pet friendly.
If you think your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t, or if you have any other concerns
about your pet’s health, you can call the video vet service FirstVet at any time of day and speak with a qualified UK vet.
1. Which of the following gardening products could cause your pets vomit?
A. Fertiliser and compost. B. Cocoa mulch and compost.
C. Weed killer and fertilizer. D. Cocoa mulch and weed killer.
2. What do we know from the text?
A. Compost can be used freely in a garden. B. All weed killers can kill your pets.
C. Too much Cocoa mulch can kill your pets.
D. Fertilisers containing different ingredients are pet friendly.
3. What is the purpose of the text?
A. To introduce some tips to treat your pets. B. To inform you of how to protect your pets. C. To warn you of what can harm your pets.
D. To tell you how to make your garden pet friendly.
