Preventing Compost Toxicity in Your Pets

Composting our food waste and plant material is a very common and eco-friendly method of disposal, a way to recycle organic waste and enrich soil. It’s become more common to have compost in the kitchen and/or in the backyard, but it’s important to know the dangers this can cause for our pets.

Compost piles can contain a multitude of toxic materials that can be dangerous if ingested by our dogs or cats, including moldy food, and certain types of plants and chemicals.

One of the main concerns is mold that can grow on decomposing food and organic matter. Moldy foods can contain mycotoxins, which are harmful to our pets if they’re consumed, causing vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and tremors.

Some plants and food scraps themselves might also be toxic to dogs, for example, onions, garlic, or certain fruit seeds. Ingesting these foods can lead to gastrointestinal issues, organ damage, or even death, depending on the food and the amount consumed.

What’s more, many of the chemicals used in gardening, such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, can also end up in our compost piles, and be toxic if ingested or absorbed through the skin. Symptoms of chemical poisoning can include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and seizures.

To prevent compost toxicity in your pets, it’s important to keep compost piles securely covered to prevent access. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic from the compost, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Tualatin is your local, privately owned and operated 24-hour emergency clinic. We are open 365 days a year, including all major holidays, nights, and weekends. Find us online at www.evcot.com or call at 503-691-7922.