As much as 214,000 poisoned pet cases in the US are reported every year. Most of these happen because of seemingly harmless substances that you can normally find at home, including the plants that you placed in your garden. This statistic will make you think twice about building your dream garden in your backyard. Just like trying to keep your house tidy while taking care of a dog, maintaining a garden that is safe for the entire household can also be extra difficult. With careful planning and thorough research, your dream of having a flourishing garden where your dogs can freely move without destroying anything can still be a reality. Here are several tricks that you can implement to succeed in creating a dog-friendly garden at home.
Include A Water Feature
Dogs need to drink water all the time to avoid dehydration. instead of constantly bringing out your pet's water bowl, you can simply add an eye-catching garden fountain or other water features to your landscape design. There are lots of dog-friendly water features that you can choose from. If you are on a budget, you can convert a water container and turn it into a doggie bowl. Then place the bowl in a strategic location surrounded by dog-friendly shrubs. If you have the means to hire someone to do your garden, you can ask the landscape designer to install a splash fountain where your dog can drink or a freshwater pond where he can have a refreshing dip during the hot summer days. These garden accents are not just pleasing to the eyes, they can also be a functional spot in your garden.
Know Which Plants Are Safe For Your Dog
Before you start digging the plot in your garden, it's important to know the type of plants that are poisonous to your dog. This is necessary since your pooch may accidentally chew on any plant that's out there. Some of the most dangerous plants for dogs include Aloe vera, sago palm, elephant ear, asparagus fern, corn plant, azalea, tulips, mums, oleander, black walnut, peonies, and foxglove. If you really want to include these in your garden, designate a specific section in your lot that the dog could not reach.
On the other hand, you can liberally place dog-friendly plants in your garden such as camellias, daylilies, garden marigolds, dill, magnolias, purple basil, and thyme. These plants will add color to your plant boxes. Moreover, all of these plants are safe for your dogs even if they decide to play with or ingest them.
Allocate Designated Areas For Your Dog
Dog urine can be harmful to your grass because of its high nitrogen content. To preserve your turf, you need to reserve a space with mulch or gravel where you can train your dog to use as his potty area. You just need to help your pet identify the spot by putting something vertical on it for easy recognition.
You can also make sure that your dog will stay within your yard using dog-proof gates and fencing. You can either install a traditional fence made from wood or use contemporary materials like iron. You may also have an invisible fence installed if you want to control your dog using an electric collar.
Creating a dog-friendly garden is a must for the health and safety of your dog. By following the tips mentioned, your dog and your entire family will be able to enjoy your beautiful garden for a long time.
