How To Make Your Backyard More Pet-Friendly This Summer
Summertime is the time for outdoor fun with your best friend! Longer days mean more time spent outside and more opportunities to create a safe, pet-friendly backyard. From homemade pools to pet-friendly plants and fertilizers to a wireless dog fence, there are plenty of ways you can make your backyard an oasis for your dog this summer. Keep reading if you’re looking for creative ideas that will have both you and your pet leaping with joy.
Flowers to Plant
When picking which flowers to plant in your yard, you never imagine that your dog might make a snack out of one. However, it is possible. It’s always a good idea to have safe-to-ingest flowers and plants around areas where your dog is allowed to play without supervision. You don’t want your dog to eat something and accidentally get poisoned, so it’s better to choose pet-friendly plants.
Some Pet-Friendly Plants Are:
- Sunflowers
- Petunias
- Celosia
- Ferns
- Impatiens
- Snapdragons
- Marigolds
- Cilantro
- Sage
- Zinnia
Some Poisonous Plants To Avoid:
- Carnations
- Dahlias
- Peonies
- Azaleas
- Lilies
- Hydrangeas
- Yew Shrubs
- Chrysanthemum
- Iris
- Begonia
When deciding what to plant in your yard, it’s important to research if plants are safe for your pets or if they are dangerous.
Pet-Friendly Lawn Fertilizer
A lot of name-brand fertilizers are filled with harmful chemicals that aren’t good for you or your pets. If you use these kinds of fertilizers it’s important to read the labels, check warnings and always carefully follow the instructions. For example, some fertilizers recommend keeping pets away from the newly planted area for several hours. If you are looking for an alternative method for fertilizing your yard you could try grass clippings, organic fertilizer, or potash, a potassium-rich salt that is used for fertilizing.
What happens if my dog eats fertilizer?
If your pet indirectly ingests the fertilizer such as by eating grass that has been fertilized then they will most likely be fine. But if your pet directly eats the fertilizer such as straight from the bag this could be extremely dangerous, especially if the fertilizer contains irons or other chemicals found in insecticides. You should watch your dog closely for signs of poisoning such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and seizures. If you notice your pet experiencing any of these symptoms then you should contact your local veterinarian.
Provide Shelter
Giving your dog shelter is a great way to make your backyard more pet friendly. This is especially important if your dog spends a large amount of time in the backyard without you. Providing a shelter will protect your dog from the elements whether it be from the summer’s blasting heat, winter’s cold, or spring’s rain showers. It also gives them a place where they can feel safe and secure while enjoying some shade. Ideally, the best way to create shelter is by buying a dog house but there are other creative ways to make shade such as by tying a tarp between two trees or letting your dog sit under an umbrella.
Water Feature
Most dogs love swimming and playing in the water. Make your backyard more pet friendly this summer by building a temporary swimming pool for your dog. All you need to do is get a child’s hard-sided swimming pool. You can usually find cheap ones at the dollar store. It’s important to get hard-sided ones over inflatable pools because your dog’s claws will likely puncture them. If you do not wish to get a pool or if your dog doesn’t love swimming, it is extremely important that you at least have a bowl of water outside for your dog. You do not want your dog to get dehydrated in the summer heat.
Create Patrol Paths
Dogs love to walk around the perimeter of their territory, even if they have a wireless dog fence. It’s an instinct that has been ingrained in them. If your dog has worn away the grass along your fence, put down mulch or stones to create a patrol path for your dog instead of trying to regrow the grass. This will make the ground look more appealing instead of worn down and can help keep your dog’s paws from getting too muddy when it rains.
Paw Washing Station
Another great way to make your backyard more pet friendly is to have a paw washing station by your back door. To avoid having your dog get their muddy paws all messy inside of your house, you can have a set section to clean them. All you need to have is a bowl of water, a wet cloth, and a towel. If your dog’s paws are more wet than muddy then you can simply clean with a towel. It’s also a good idea to keep the fur around their paws trimmed short in order to make cleaning them easier.
Wireless Dog Fence
One of the best ways to make your backyard more pet friendly is by installing a wireless dog fence. Wireless dog fences are extremely effective and convenient. Not only are they more visually appealing than wooden fences, but they are also more effective since there is no way dogs can dig, jump, or bite through the fence. Wireless dog fences are inexpensive pet fence solutions that allow your dog to have complete freedom in your backyard without you having to worry about them escaping or getting lost
Palmetto DogWatch offers pet fence solutions that keep your pet safe and secure. With fully customizable plans, we will work with you every step of the way from the initial planning stages to the installation of your wireless dog fence to ensure that your dog has the backyard experience you want. With the support of veterinarians and trainers, Palmetto DogWatch is considered the best invisible fence company.