Last Updated on December 10, 2021 by Kimberly Crawford
Our garden spaces are not only for us to enjoy, but they’re also for our beloved animals too. A garden space is the perfect place for your pet to roam and explore under your watchful eye. However, there are safety aspects of gardening and garden care that need to be considered before you let your four-legged friends run free. Here are just a few hints and tips to make your garden a safe haven for pets.
Think about borders and how secure they are
While we all know that cats are born roamers and love to explore where they live, dogs need to have a dog-proofed garden that prevents them from escaping.
It’s a good idea to put up a high sturdy fence that they can’t jump over or knockdown. A small to medium-sized dog will need a fence that is six feet in height for maximum safety. Make sure there are no holes or gaps that they (or any other smaller roaming pets) can squeeze through.
If your garden has a gate, opt for one that closes automatically rather than needing to be shut, as dogs and other small creatures can get out and escape all too quickly, resulting in accidents and emergencies!
There are plants that are toxic to pets
Take care of the plants, foliage, and vegetation you use in your garden. There are a huge number of plants and even trees that are toxic to pets and should be avoided at all times.
Ingestion of such things garden can result in the serious ill health of your animal, which may require treatment at a professional vet’s practice such as heartandpaw.com. Pet-friendly plants to include in your garden are:
- African daisies
- Bromeliads
- Grass (pet grasses are available to buy and seed your lawn with)
- Jasmine
- Lavender
- Milk thistle
- Orchids
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Roses
As well as considering what you plant in your garden, you need to look at what you treat your vegetation with. Always opt for non-toxic pesticides as if traditional pesticides are ingested by your animal, it can cause severe health problems, which may also require a trip to the vet emergency room.
Provide a safe pet shelter
It’s a good idea to give your animal a safe shelter and space to play in, in your garden as it can make them feel more at home, relaxed and settled. They can play out in the rain and hide when they need to or take refuge in hot weather but still be outdoors and able to roam around.
Dogs are more likely to need somewhere to shelter from the sun, so a kennel with clean drinking water in it is ideal. Cats, on the other hand, like the warmth but prefer to hide in foliage – so think about planting cat-friendly bushes that they can play hide and seek in.
With a little careful planning and some forethought, your garden can become a wonderful haven for your pets to share, have fun and relax in, just like their human companions.
