When creating a safe outdoor space for your pets some thought, and planning are required. In this article, we share some creative ideas that are safe for your pets. When much of the world emphasizes practicality and beauty in your outdoor spaces, having a pet doesn’t necessarily mean that this will have to change. It does mean that you will have to do some planning.

 

A couple of the important reasons for this planning lie in the truth that our pets love to interact with the natural world, by digging, rubbing, or eating, and that there are dangers that are present in a garden that you may not be entirely aware of.

 

Cover Your Swimming Pool

 

While this first one may seem straightforward do not be deceived. The risk of drowning in a pool can be just as high for a child as for a pet. Perhaps your pet may not be able to swim or may not be able to find the exit in time. I hope this never happens to you, unfortunately, many people have had this tragic experience. Putting a net or covering over your pool is one surefire way to protect your pet from falling in and being unable to get back out again. Using a thermal covering may increase the risk of drowning because while nets and other covering are meant to stay in place and not allow entrance to the pool, a thermal covering sits on the water’s surface to warm the water and may keep your pet from being able to surface and breath. Please take some time and consider this aspect if you have a pool in your space and the pet has access to the area.

 

Compost

 

Using a natural compost fertilizer is always a good idea, something that you have made on your property brings you a certain reward of accomplishment in making and using. Not all of us have the luxury of being able to do this though. No matter how cautious you are it is always a best practice to assume that your pet will get into the compost and eat some. Spending a few minutes making sure that the compost is well and truly composted and that there is nothing in the compost that is toxic to your pets is an important step. When purchasing compost from the store do some research and see if the compost is pet-safe. While not a common problem again taking a few minutes to ensure your pet’s safety will not go a miss.

 

Designated Gardens Areas for Pets

 

A good idea for a garden with a dog is to train your dog to stay out of certain areas of the garden. Perhaps you have vegetables that you do not want them to eat or play near, perhaps you have some flowers that if they eat they could be sick. Just like you can train your dog to stay out of the kitchen or off of the sofa, you can train them to stay out of certain areas of your garden. It does take some extra work but the extra work will pay off over time and you will not have to constantly chase your pup out of the restricted section or sections (yes that is a Harry Potter reference). Making the spaces a bit more well-defined will help in this regard.

 

Imagine for a minute the differences between your kitchen and your living room, or two other places where your pet may or may not be allowed. Typically the floor changes, and there is a constricting of movement from one area to another, either by a doorway or another type of entryway. Creating this kind of transition in the garden will help your pet recognize the difference between the two spaces and will help keep them in the dog-friendly parts of the garden.

 

Using ground covers and thicker bushes planted around more delicate plants is another good idea to help protect your plants from being uprooted accidentally. Installing hardscape edging such as bricks or pavers will also help your dogs learn where they are and are not allowed in addition to protecting your garden from mishaps.

 

Grow Pet-Safe Plants

 

There are many plants out there and you can let your imagination go wild in planning a dog-friendly garden. Many types of plants can enhance your garden and are safe for your pet. The following is a very short list of some of them. Make sure to do your research before planting anything to ensure that the particular plant is pet-safe.

 

·      Many kinds of vegetables and herbs

·      Black-eyed Susans

·      African Violets

·      Snap Dragons

·      Daisies

·      Roses

·      Petunias

·      Hibiscus

·      Zinnias

·      Asters

·      Pansies

 

Again, these are just a few, take some time and do your research before planting to make sure that your plants are ok. Remember to have fun planning your dog-friendly garden. Just because you have a furry friend doesn’t mean that there have to be too many restrictions on your garden. 

 

Avoid Plants that are not Pet-Safe

 

Adding plants doesn’t have to endanger them. There is plenty of good information online about which plants are toxic to your pets and which ones are safe. The following is a short list of some of the plants to stay away from. This list is not exhaustive but only contains some of the more common plants that can make your doggo sick.

·     There are some vegetables and herbs that are not good for your pet, make sure to verify before planting. Additionally, some fruit and vegetable plants are toxic but the fruit or vegetable itself is not

·      Chrysanthemum

·      Aconite

·      Buttercup

·      Daffodil

·      Daphne

·      Delphinium

·      Foxglove

·      Hydrangea

·      Oak

·      Tomato

·      Wisteria

·      Yew (Taxus baccata)

 

If you notice that your pet is showing signs of distress, and you suspect they may have eaten something contact your Veterinarian immediately and follow their instructions. If possible, have label or plant information with you when you call.

 

Provide Pets With an Engaging Garden

 

Garden landscapes become more pet-friendly when there are routes for your pets to take.  Take a moment and think of game trails, the instincts of your pet are still there and dogs and cats are predators. Many predators travel small winding trails through the forest and plains on which they dwell, providing something similar in your garden can help you engage your pet and provide an outlet for some of their natural tendencies. If they are going to be outside, they will have “haunts” they like to travel along. Providing concealment along these routes can provide enrichment to your pet's life.

 

Making your garden of different textures, colors, sizes, and shapes will also engage your pet, much like humans there is a natural curiosity and playfulness in our pets that the variety will satisfy.

 

Keep in mind if you have cats providing something for them to claw on, climb on, hide in, and/or hide on will provide a natural piece to their lives. It may well save some of your indoor furniture as well. Providing plants that are bushy and low-growing will provide a natural place for your cat to relax on hot days and a place of stealth for them to watch their domain. Adding a bit of cat grass or catnip can be a fun distraction for your cat and yourself.

 

Light on Chemicals

 

Use care when purchasing anything from the store for your garden. Check to make sure that there are no added chemicals that you may be unaware of. Things to check you might not think of include:

 

·      Mulch

·      Compost

·      Bark Dust

·      Any kind of rock

·      Plants

·      Garden soil

 

This list does not cover everything but is meant to highlight that there can be chemicals that are not fit for a dog-safe garden.

 

Any chemical you use in your garden, even if they claim to be organic has some level of toxicity, due to this you must follow the label instructions to the letter. They may tell you not to let your pets near them for twenty-four hours or until the product is completely dry. There is a common misconception that if something is organic it is not dangerous, this is not true. Everything can be dangerous, what matters is the amount or dosage. This touches on toxicology which is not the purpose of this article or blog. Suffice it to say that you or your pet can die from not having any salt in your diet and can die from having too much salt in your diet, there is a range, and yes, the range is very broad but there is still a range. The same is true of any organic compound. 

 

Watch after you apply fertilizers to ensure your pet does not ingest them. If they do call your veterinarian immediately and have the fertilizer package readily available to answer questions from your Vet.

It is not uncommon for your pets to be curious about what you are putting in your garden and give it a try, so remember that the best practice is to assume they will eat whatever you put into your garden and plan accordingly.

 

Create Shade and Shelter

 

While many pets enjoy the sunshine, and you will find them lounging and sleeping in the sun creating a space for them to get some shade is an important part of a dog-friendly or cat-friendly garden. When temperatures start getting higher our pets need space where they can be comfortable out of the sun. remember that while 70 degrees may be ideal for you your pet has hair/fur on them so being in 70 degrees and sunshine could get hot quite fast.

 

Planting trees, and constructing gazebos or pergolas, are a few options for creating some shade in a pet-friendly garden. Remember to provide somewhere with a roof in case of rain too. It is quite uncomfortable when I get wet in my clothes, and I imagine our pets feel pretty similar when it rains on them in their fur coats.

 

Adding an umbrella or seating area for yourself is another way to add shade to your garden. Your pet who most likely wants to be in your company will gladly join you and sit under your chair or the table.

 

Spend a few minutes thinking about the general weather patterns in your area and then take some time to consider what your pet may need if they get caught outside in the different types of weather you experience.

 

Protect the Vegetable Garden

 

It seems common knowledge that dogs love to chase squirrels, so why not put that same drive to good use and use them to protect your vegetable garden? If you train them well and set up a few barriers (hedges and low fences work well) to help them navigate the garden without destroying it they can help you keep critters that may try to eat the fruits of your labor before you do. In many parts of the world, dogs are employed to this end. Many farmers use dogs to protect their livestock and kitchen gardens.

 

One caution in reminder, some plants are dangerous for dogs and cats to ingest so make sure to do your research and keep your pets away from them.

 

If you put a fence around your garden and give your dog free access to the space around it he can chase the squirrels, bunnies, and deer to his heart’s content. Chances are very low that he will catch anything and after a while, those animals will know to steer clear of your yard.

 

Add a Water Source

 

Having dogs in the yard doesn’t mean you can’t have any unopened water source. While you do want to be careful about size and depth having a small pond, creek, or fountain can be a nice addition to the dog-friendly garden. Not only does the water feature add to the beauty of the space but it will provide an emergency water source for your pet during times of extreme heat.

 

Just be sure that there is nothing toxic in the water or anything else that your pet can ingest. Be cautious of any body of water that contains blue-green algae. It is toxic for pets and if you see any in the body of water you are thinking about letting your pet into then it is best to avoid it altogether. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy may occur in dogs if they consume even a small amount of water contaminated with blue-green algae. These symptoms may be caused by toxic compounds that inhibit the liver's normal activity.

 

Be sure to call your vet right away if you notice these symptoms and let them know if you have been in/near any bodies of water.

 

Put Tools Away Properly

 

Having tools lying around your yard is not only a problem for you if you step on them but they are also a problem for your furry friend. Make sure to pick up and properly store any tools that you may use in caring for your garden.

 

There are many types of sheds and storage containers for yard tools. Keeping them out of sight of your pet is a good way to keep them out of your pet’s mouth and off of their paws.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Like normal gardens, the pet-friendly garden requires care and maintenance but with the right planning, you can still have the wonderful refreshing space that you always wanted. Even better your dog or cat can also enjoy the space with you! If you are in the beginning stages of planning your garden give your vet a call and have a chat with them to get their thoughts about what to include or not in your garden. Happy planting!