When you tend to your garden in the backyard and an active and playful dog, you must be cautious as a pet owner.
Not all plants and flowers are safe and conducive to your pet’s playfulness.
You need to examine and carefully study the types of plants you tend in your garden and consider their toxicity level.
Look beyond the beauty of the plant or flower and focus on whether or not it can be safe for your little furry companions.
Bee balms, for one, are blooming flowers in the woodlands.
Most garden-owners also include these popular flowering plants in their backyard.
It originated from North America and is helpful as medicinal herbs and tea for leisure drinks. Some also call bee balms wild bergamot.
If your dog wanders into the woodlands or the backyard and discovers bee balms, you do not need to fret or worry. Bee balms do not emit poison, nor it has toxic chemicals that can harm your pet.
In this article, we will delve into the wonders of this wild perennial flower which is an excellent addition to your home gardens.
We will also explore why bee balms are not toxic to canines.
It will be a helpful guide when you are planning to add one to your garden of flowers.
What Is A Bee Balm?
Bee balms are flowers that grow only once every year.
The fact that it is only perennial is such a bummer because it blooms in lovely colors that can come from hues of bright red to dark purple.
Bee Balm Varieties
It belongs to the mint group. Specifically, below is a non-exhaustive list of bee balm varieties and what it looks like in terms of color.
- Monarda didyma: bright red
- Marshall’s Delight: bright pink
- pringlei: pink
- Jacob Cline: deep red
- fistulosa: lavender-pink
- Raspberry Wine: dark red
How to Spot A Bee Balm?
Even though bee balms only grow once annually, it reaches up to 3 to 4 feet tall.
It is a popular plant in a flower type. Besides its beautiful flowers in bloom, its leaves are effective as medicine, while some are tasty for leisure drinks.
The leaves and foliage of bee balm are popular as ingredients of:
- Herbal tea
- Salad
- garnish
Its pH level is slightly acidic to neutral.
Despite its pH level, however, bee balms do not contain toxic components that may prove to be poisonous to dogs.
Even its flowers in pink, purple, red, or white are safe and edible.
We have no wonder why bee balms’ flowers and foliage are attractive for birds and butterflies alike.
Bee balms have a strong aroma, too.
It is perhaps the reason why you find your dog going back and forth, sniffing this lovely and pleasing flower.
But again, do not worry because it is safe for your dog to sniff bee balms.
Plant Chemicals to Watch Out For
You may have kept all your toxic ingredients from the living room to the kitchen, considering your dog’s safety.
But when it comes to the garden, you can be clueless about the silent harm it can pose to your furry pets.
These are the plants to watch out for, which can put your canine’s safety in peril as it goes near them.
It best to avoid these plants and keep them far away from your dogs.
Be cautious, though, that these plants or fungi as ordinary residents of gardens.
- Acorn
- Poinsettia
- Fungi
- Moldy foods
- Holly
- Mistletoe
- Ivy
- Conkers or horse chestnuts
We still recommend that before you incorporate one plant type in your garden, consider examining its toxicity levels, or better yet, consult a plant expert for advice.
Is Bee Balm Poisonous to Dogs?
Bee balms are not found on the list. The web also offers no results nor cases of bee balm poisoning in dogs.
You can now let your guard down and let your bubbly hound go near this lovely plant.
Common Causes of Dog Poisoning
Each year in the United States, about 200,000 cases of dog poisoning take place.
The emergencies stem from the lack of knowledge about the common causes of dog poisoning.
The culprit behind the situation is just your everyday household items that are out of place, or sometimes even food that is not beneficial to dogs.
Now, we will explore the common causes of poisoning in dogs.
It will help you prepare and overhaul your home for a more toxic-free space for both you and your pets.
1. Medications:
- Tylenol
- Advil
- Aleve
2. Prescriptions to humans:
- Anti-inflammatory medicine
- Antidepressants
- Medications for blood pressure
3. Human food:
- Macadamia nuts
- Alcohol
- Xylitol
- Avocado
- Grapes and raisins
- Chocolate
4. Veterinary products
5. Household items:
- Cleaners
- Insecticides
- Bleach
- Paint thinners
- Firelogs
- Rodenticides
- Pool chemicals
Symptoms of Dog Poisoning
When any of the following symptoms occur, be alert because they can be signs that your dog ingested a poisonous substance.
- Upset stomach
- Chemical burns
- Renal failure
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Appetite loss
- death
Safety Guidelines and What to Do if Your Dog Ingests Poison
As a dog owner, you need to know how to apply first aid if your dog experiences poisoning.
Ignorance is not bliss in this kind of situation.
You have to know what to do as a responsible pet owner.
Call the vet immediately. Seek professional help during this emergency.
Keep your calm but be quick and rational.
1. Prepare to answer these questions by your vet during the call:
- Dog breed
- Age
- Sex
- Weight
- Symptoms
- The substance that your dog had been exposed to
2. Note: Collect the remaining substance of the cause of poisoning and seal it in a plastic bag. Your veterinarian would ask for it.
3. If your dog swallowed it, never induce vomiting in your dog unless the vet instructs you to.
4. Follow the instructions of the veterinarian.
Key Takeaway
Not all plants are alright for your dogs to sniff, but we learned that bee balms are safe.
It can be a little scary to know that dogs can be sensitive even to the most common household items.
But as a pet owner, you need to examine your home and garden for the safety of our people and pets.
