Tomorrow is National Dog Day. What better way to celebrate our furry, four-legged friends than to share tips for a pet-friendly yard?
9 Tips for a Pet-Friendly Yard
Here are nine ways to make your yard a safe and beautiful dog haven.
Chose Plants Wisely
Choose plants wisely when planning your landscaping. Many popular outdoor plants are poisonous to pets if ingested. Some plants, like azaleas, tulips, lilies, and rhododendrons, are toxic to dogs and cats.
Check out the ASPCA’s toxic plants list for a full list of toxic plants.
Use Pet-Safe Insecticides
Insecticides can be a danger to your dog. If you must use them, ensure your dog cannot access the areas where you’ve spread chemicals until they’ve dissipated. Also, store them out of reach.
The most dangerous forms of pesticides include:
- Snail bait with metaldehyde
- Systemic insecticides that contain disaster or disulfoton
- Fly bait with methomyl
- Mole or gopher bait with zinc phosphide and most forms of rat poisons
Fertilize and Prevent Weed Safely
Fertilizer and plant food can help keep your yard green but can be very destructive to a pet’s digestive tract. Follow the application instructions carefully and wait for the appropriate time before letting your pet on the treated grass.
Keep Compost Out of Reach
Food and waste are great for enriching your soil. But some food in composts can create problems for your pets. Coffee, moldy food, certain fruits, and vegetables are toxic for your pets.
Chose Safe Mulch
Not all mulch is safe for pets. Some mulch, like cocoa mulch, is problematic for pets. Cocoa mulch is a byproduct of chocolate production used in landscaping. Pets love the sweet smell enticing them to eat it, and it causes symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, elevated heart rate, hyperactivity, and seizures.
Use safe mulch in landscaping, such as cedar, shredded pine, or hemlock bark.
Put Away Tools
Properly store all garden tools to avoid injury to your pet. Sharp tools can create a danger of tetanus if your pet punctures their skin. They can also sustain injury to their eyes, paws, or noses from sharp rusty tools left lying around.
Check Your Fence
A fence is a safety feature for your dog. Make sure it’s in good condition and do any repairs. Also, be sure your gate and locks are working properly. If you use an invisible fence, ensure it’s in proper working condition and that your pet knows the boundaries.
Reduce Flea and Tick Breeding Grounds
Fleas and ticks lie in wait in tall brush and grass. Keeping your lawn well-manicured will help reduce breeding grounds.
Provide Plenty of Shade & Water
Provide plenty of shaded areas for your outdoor pets in the summer. Other ways to help them keep cool are raised dog beds in shady areas or an inga baby pool with water for them to dip in on hot days. Keep them hydrated with an on-demand doggy fountain.
Happy National Dog Day! What tips do you have for animal lovers for a pet-friendly yard? Let us know in the comments.
Need Lawn Care Help?
Do you have a pet-friendly and human-friendly yard? Are you spending too much time caring for your lawn? Call the professionals at Nichols Reliable Lawn Care & More. Caring for your lawn is our full-time job. We proudly serve the Northwest Arkansas area. Call today for a FREE estimate. 479.502.2192