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A brown spotted tabby cat crouches in a raised garden bed among seedlings while four yellow chicks wander nearby. 10 / 36

The Spring Seedlings Just Came Up. Then the Inspection Crew Arrived.

AI imagetabby catbaby chicksvegetable garden

Spring seedlings are just poking up through the dark soil of a raised garden bed, and the inspection crew has arrived. A brown tabby with a spotted, glossy coat crouches low among the young plants, chin lowered and eyes fixed on a chick standing right in front of her. Three more chicks wander between the leafy sprouts, pecking and peering as if checking each row for progress. The wooden frame of the bed, a weathered fence, and a few wild weeds in the background give the scene the easy charm of a backyard garden on a warm afternoon.

Gardens can be wonderful places for pets, but a few common hazards are worth knowing. Lilies are extremely toxic to cats, and even small amounts of pollen or leaf can cause serious kidney problems, so many cat owners keep them out of the yard and house entirely. Slug and snail baits, rodent poisons, some fertilizers, and cocoa bean mulch can also be dangerous to pets. Choosing pet-safe products, storing chemicals out of reach, and checking plant lists from trusted animal poison resources before planting can prevent a lot of worry. If you think your pet ate something harmful, call your vet or an animal poison hotline right away.

Thankfully, this garden crew seems more interested in sniffing seedlings than causing trouble. With any luck, the tomatoes will survive the supervision.

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