How To Make Your Garden More Pet-Friendly: A Guide

A garden may seem like a perfect place for your pet to explore and play. However, even a seemingly safe place like your garden can bring many dangers to your four-legged friend. Poisonous plants or products you use to take care of your lawn and plants can become hazardous to the pet’s life. However, there are steps you can take to protect your friend outside. Give your pets new and exciting paths to explore, secure any dangerous elements and avoid using any toxins that could cause health issues. Our guide will help you to make your garden a safe haven and an entertaining place for your pet.

dog and owner in shade

Create A Safe Corner For Your Pets

It does not matter if you have a cat, a dog or a couple of chickens in your garden. Your pets should have there a safe corner. For your dog or cat, it might mean that you prepare there for them some toys, a comfortable bed and bowls for food and drink. On the other hand, if you have chickens, you can have a chicken coop in your garden regardless of how many animals you have. Websites like Little Peckers can provide you with everything you need to make your chickens healthy and happy. On top of that, you can also get equipment to support wildlife in your garden.

Avoid Plants That Could Be Harmful To Your Pet

When cats, dogs or any other pets you start exploring the garden, they are likely going to dig under the plants and in the soil. They also might eat some of the leaves or flowers while they are playing around. However, there are many plants and flowers that are toxic to pets. Poisoning is unfortunately very common when it comes to pets. To prevent that, you need to make sure that you do not have anything that could cause your pets such health problems in the garden. Each pet is sensitive to different plants, so you need to ensure that you conduct extensive research before letting your pet outside.

Maine coon in grass

Create An Area Where Pets Can Cool Down

A heat stroke is another health problem that can often harm your pets, especially dogs. However, you can help to protect your pets by creating a shady area in the garden. This way, your pets will go to a specific spot whenever they would like to be in the shade and will less likely damage some of your flower beds. If you have a small garden, it might be tricky to create such a place. In that case, try to look for trees that can easily grow in planters. Like this, your pet will always be able to cool down in a place with a low shade. Do not forget to ensure that the tree is not poisonous to your pet so they can snack on the leaves, too.

Start Using Pesticides And Herbicides Less

It is bound to happen that you will need to fight pests and weeds invading your garden. However, if your pets are using the garden, it is necessary that you use products that are not harmful to them. Herbicides and pesticides you can find on the shelves in the shop contain substances that can be irritating and, in some cases, even fatal to your pet. So when you need to protect your garden from pests and weeds, try to find a solution that is more natural and non-toxic to your pets. And if you are unsure whether the product you use is safe for your pets, restrict them from going into the garden for a few days. This way, you will be able to avoid unexpected trips to the vet and protect your pet’s health.

Check For Gaps Your Pet Could Escape Through

If you do not want your pet to explore beyond your garden’s safety, you should ensure that there are no gaps your pet could escape through. Also, remember to check the fencing regularly to make sure that your pet is safe at all times. However, it is a good idea to leave small holes for cats, hedgehogs and other small animals that might be using your garden. But you must be careful that your dog cannot dig beneath the hole. This way, it would be easy for them to make it an escape route. You also need to be careful if you have a small dog. Due to their size, they are able to squeeze through small gaps and then you might have a problem on your hands.

Protect Pets By Securing Sheds And Compost Bins

Sheds and compost bins can hide many dangerous things from your pets. There may be harmful chemicals or tools that could injure your pet if they accidentally get knocked over in the shed. On the other hand, compost bins can contain food scraps your pet might want to taste. However, some of these scraps can be harmful to your pet and cause severe health problems. There is also the risk that your pet might end up closed in the shed or the compost bin by accident. To prevent any of these scenarios, make sure that your shed and compost bins are always closed and secure. This way, your pet will not be able to get in trouble and will stay safe.

Make The Garden Entertaining For Your Pet

The garden should be a safe place for your pet. But it is also important that your pets enjoy their time in the garden and you can spend some nice moments together. If pets feel bored, it might lead to destructive behavior, and you might lose some of your favorite plants. However, you can easily make the garden a fun place to play and explore. Liven up the space with some benches your dogs can hide under or your cat can perch on. Lay down different paths that will always lead your pet to a new place they have not explored yet. You can also plant various herbs at different positions and heights. This way, your pets will have an exciting scent path to follow every time the wind blows.

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