With the weather warming up and more daylight hours, chances are both you and your dogs are looking forward to spending more time outside. You may even be thinking about some gardening, landscaping or even just a general spring time clean up.
Creating a beautiful garden is a joy for many homeowners. It’s essential to consider the safety of our furry friends when planning and maintaining our outdoor spaces. Our dogs are naturally curious. They love to explore and play in the garden, but certain plants and landscaping features can pose risks to their health and safety.
Depending on the size of your yard and garden, there are many considerations to be made for your dog’s safety. Fencing, plants, storage etc. are all important factors. For example, we have a 6 foot fence on 3 sides, and a 4.5 foot fence across the back. When Kimo (an 85 pound border collie mix) was alive, he never tried to jump it. In fact, we only had temporary snow fencing in place of a front gate when he was with us. It was never a problem because he wanted nothing more than to stay with us. He was a very, very good boy. However, when we brought home Willow (a 65 pound Bernese mix) she hoped over the back fence within the first week, using the stump of a fallen free as leverage.
It’s vital to be prepared and know the limits of your dog in order to keep them safe. Kimo could have easily jumped the back fence but chose not to. Willow still could jump the fence if she wanted. We have eliminated the easy ways for her to do it (taking away anything she could use as a step). We had actually purchased materials to extend the back fence as soon as we realized Willow could hop it, but since we removed the easy jumping points she hasn’t attempted it again.
In this post, we’ll explore effective strategies for dog-proofing your garden, including choosing pet-safe plants, implementing landscaping tips for pet safety, and creating a dog-friendly garden design. Let’s ensure our gardens are not only beautiful but also safe havens for our beloved pets.
Understanding Pet-Safe Plants
When it comes to choosing plants for your garden, it’s crucial to select varieties that are safe for your furry companions. Pet-safe plants are those that are non-toxic and pose no harm if ingested by dogs. Some examples of pet-safe plants include marigolds, petunias, and zinnias. On the other hand, toxic plants such as lilies, azaleas, and oleander should be avoided to prevent potential health issues for your pets. Before introducing new plants, take the time to learn about how they may impact your pet. By educating yourself about pet-safe plants, you can create a garden that is both beautiful and safe for your furry friends to enjoy.
This is a lesson we learned the hard way. I’ve written about it in detail in our post on A Personal Story: The Importance of Identifying Poison Berries, but we accidently let nightshade plants grow in our garden and our Lab mix, Sienna, ate a bunch of poisonous nightshade berries. She made a quick trip to the emergency vet and was treated. Luckily for us, she was perfectly fine, but it was a very scary situation and definitely could have been a lot worse.
Landscaping Tips for Pet Safety
In addition to choosing pet-safe plants, there are several landscaping tips you can implement to ensure your garden is safe for your pets. One strategy is to create physical barriers to protect both your plants and your pets. Installing fencing and gates can prevent dogs from accessing certain areas of the garden, while raised garden beds or planting in containers can help keep plants out of reach.
Using pet-friendly mulch and ground cover options is another important consideration, as some types of mulch can be toxic to dogs if ingested. Additionally, incorporating sturdy and stable vertical gardening techniques and designating safe areas for dogs to play and roam can further enhance the safety of your garden for your pets.
Avoiding harmful chemicals in the garden and yard is also important for our dog’s health. Be mindful of the chemicals you use as many pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides can be toxic to dogs. Opt for pet-safe or organic products when possible, and follow application instructions carefully to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals. In addition to directly ingesting, your dogs will get these chemicals on the paws and then may lick it off.
Dog-Friendly Garden Design
When designing your garden, it’s essential to consider both the look as well as pet safety. By creating a dog-friendly garden design, you can ensure that your outdoor space is enjoyable for both you and your furry companions. This may include incorporating dog-friendly pathways and play areas, selecting durable and pet-resistant landscaping materials, and avoiding plants with thorns or sharp edges. By carefully planning your garden layout with your pets in mind, you can create a space that is not only beautiful but also safe and inviting for your dogs to explore and enjoy.
Regularly inspecting your yard for sharp objects such as branches, thorny plants (especially with burrs!) or sharp rocks is important. Make sure to remove any potentially dangerous objects. Remember that other animals may introduce dangerous items to your yard without your knowledge. We have had small animal skeletons left by other animals. Once we even had a half of a coconut left in our yard by a racoon.
Consider shade. Our Lab mix, Sienna, is from Mexico originally and can’t get enough of the heat and sun. However, our Bernese mix, Willow, was born in Canada and the moment it starts to get warm out she is seeking our shade. Sometimes she just wants to stay inside with the air conditioning. We use a large umbrella for shade. We also built a nook (originally designed to keep some of our plants off the ground) that she can lie in when it gets too warm for her. Of course, always make sure that lots of fresh water is available. Also make sure that your precious pups are not left alone outside when it starts to get really warm.
Preventing Plant Damage and Toxicity
Even with careful planning and design, dogs may still be tempted to explore and interact with plants in the garden. To prevent plant damage and toxicity, it’s essential to train your dogs to avoid certain areas and behaviours.
Providing alternative outlets for digging and chewing, such as designated digging areas and chew toys, can help redirect your dog’s natural instincts in a safe and constructive manner. You can train your dog to dig in a specific are of the yard. You could even get a small kiddie pool filled with dirt to provide an outlet for digging behaviour.
Maintaining a Pet-Safe Garden
Once you’ve dog-proofed your garden, it’s important to maintain a pet-safe environment to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of your furry friends. This includes regularly monitoring and inspecting the garden for any potential hazards, such as toxic plants or sharp objects and promptly addressing any issues that you may find.
Practicing safe gardening habits including the proper storage of tools and chemicals can also help prevent accidents and injuries to your pets. If you suspect that your pet has ingested a toxic plant or substance, it’s crucial to seek immediate veterinary care to prevent serious health complications. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can create a garden that is not only beautiful but also safe for your pets to enjoy for years to come.
Regularly Supervise Your Dogs
Lastly, always supervise your dogs when they are in the yard to ensure their safety and well-being. Keep an eye on them to prevent them from getting into mischief or potentially harmful situations, and intervene if necessary to redirect their behaviour.
Conclusion
Creating a pet-safe garden requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of our furry companions. By choosing pet-safe plants, implementing landscaping tips for pet safety, and creating a dog-friendly garden design, you can ensure that your outdoor space is a safe and enjoyable environment for your pets to explore and play.
Remember to regularly monitor and maintain your garden to prevent any potential hazards, and always seek veterinary care if you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant or substance. With proper care and consideration, you can create a beautiful garden that both you and your pets will love.
Want to be notified of new articles, recipes and posts? Enter your email address below to join our free mailing list today!
This is important and useful advice. Regarding “Regularly inspecting your yard for sharp objects…” I can add that we learned the hard way that this is harder than it may appear. There may be extremely dangerous sharp objects that you don’t notice or don’t think about. We had a short brick wall in the backyard and part of it had eroded and exposed a metal rod that was on the inside. We noticed it after a while, but it did not look sharp and it was short, so we did not think much about it. Then one day our Leonberger Bronco jumped over the brick wall and the metal rod cut his stomach. It was a gigantic two feet long bleeding sore, and the skin was hanging down. I thought I was going to faint when I saw it. My wife reacted quickly and tied up his stomach skin with a long towel and we took him to the veterinarian to be sawed up. We called someone to come and cut the metal rod right away. It was potentially dangerous to children as well.
Oh gesh! I’m so sorry that happened to you all. Yes, it’s amazing what can become dangerous to our dogs or kids that looks pretty innocent. So glad your wife was fast acting and that poor Bronco was fixed up!