With spring upon us and the weather getting better more and more people are heading off on long walks with their pets. However, dog owners are being warned to stay on the lookout for a very common plant to which their pets could be allergic.
Rapeseed, which is flowering in fields all over the country at the moment, contains pollen that can be dangerous to dogs who have sensitivity to it. It is listed by leading animal welfare charity Dogs Trust as potentially toxic if ingested.
Some of the symptoms that can be caused include digestive disorders and breathing problems, reports Norfolk Live. Dogs can even suffer after effects just from running through the stuff.
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Dr. Sean McCormack, Head vet at tails.com, said that "if ingested in large quantities" by dogs rapeseed has the potential to cause illness, mainly gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhoea.
"And in rare cases an individual dog may develop an allergy to it resulting in skin issues. But for the majority of sensible dogs who aren't interested in eating it rapeseed will do no harm.
"My advice is the same when exercising any dog on farmland, keep them on a lead or under control and stick to paths. They should also avoid damaging crops, livestock and wildlife."
A Dogs Trust spokesperson added that worried pet owners should contact their vet "for advice or treatment immediately" if they think their pet has eaten the plant and is having a bad reaction. They also tell them to "always be vigilant and seek help if you're worried about your pet's health."
