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With 74% of households gardening and 36% owning pets, a growing trend is making tails wag — pet-friendly landscaping!
By adopting pet-friendly landscaping, you'll win the war against unsafe pet areas. You'll create an enjoyable space for your furry pals that keeps them out of harm's way.
But where do you begin? We've got you covered!
Stand at attention for this comprehensive mission briefing for pet-friendly backyard landscaping!
When opting for plants to fill up the foliage headcount, choose dog-safe options like:
In addition to plants and flowers, you'll need non-toxic hardscaping materials like smooth stones, gravel, and even coconut fibers.
Add these (and other safety measures) to your landscaping checklist, and you'll successfully pet-proof your backyard for your puppy platoon.
Keeping your pets inside the wire ensures their safety and that of passersby. When fortifying your property for yourself and your pets, you'll need pet-friendly fencing and gates for easy access.
While you're at it, provide cover (literally) for your pets with shading and sheltered areas.
Dog-friendly agility elements like tunnels and poles can give your canine comrades a place to play and revisit basic training. Also, ensure pet-friendly walkways and pathways for your furry squad to do recon or be on guard duty.
Designated play areas can also go a long way in giving your canine companions a fun space to exercise. Just be sure to factor in the size of your dogs.
Larger dogs will need larger spaces with more shading options. However, your dog should have access to a cool, shaded space outside — regardless of their size.
Arm your backyard with pet-friendly ground coverings like gravel and soft Bermuda grass. These options protect your soldiers' paws from rough terrain.
You'll also want to explore dog-safe alternatives to traditional grass lawns. If Bermuda grass isn't in the cards, try tall fescue and mulch to provide a lush landscape without the hidden hazards.
Maintaining your lawn for pet safety requires no more than eliminating foreign objects and keeping it clear of debris and doggie doo-doo.
Dogs can mistake your plants and flowers for delicious snacks, meaning you'll need raised garden beds.
Choose pet-safe plants and vegetables like melons, celery, carrots, and broccoli. Avoid onions, garlic, and chives preventing your pets from eating toxic plants!
Lastly, protect your foliage by walking your dogs or playing with them regularly. This will dissipate your dogs' energy and prevent them from skirmishing with your plants and soil.
When weeding out weeds and pests, carpet bombing with pesticides isn't safe for your pawed friends. Instead, opt for pet-friendly options like flypaper and even Deer Scram. Citrus oil extracts like Orange Guard are recommended to prevent tick and flea infestations.
You can't go wrong with diatomaceous earth for a more natural choice.
Begin your pet waste management operation by designating specific outdoor areas and training your pawed platoon to use them. Once they do, conduct a cleanup mission once or twice every 24 hours.
Waste disposal stations and tools like good-old plastic bags and scoopers are essential waste management solutions. However, when things get too hot to handle, contact our troops at Scoop Soldiers for comprehensive pet waste pickup and removal.
Areas with agility elements can double as your training and enrichment spaces. But what if you've got different pet platoons jockeying for your spaces?
In such situations, have chosen areas for different pets and separate them with a transparent fence. The fence creates a demarcation but enables pets to get along over time due to visibility.
When selecting areas, tailor each to your pet's preferences. For instance, if you have a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Chow-Chow, select an area closer to the shade. Meanwhile, pick a well-lit area with small, shaded spots if you have Chihuahuas.
Seasonal maintenance (whether by yourself or with a pet waste removal solution) will include cleaning up the battlefield by removing debris and pet poop. Besides that, expect the following missions during your maintenance operation:
Your inspections will yield potential areas for improvement. Take stock of needed maintenance in your checklist and schedule operations for them.
Creating a dog-safe backyard ensures the health and safety of your furry friends with pet-friendly plants, access points, and ground coverings.
However, there's more to creating a safe space for your canine comrades than basic landscaping. Landscaping for pets is also about creating places to bond with your furry soldiers. Giving your pets a safe space will enhance their overall well-being.
At the root of every pet-friendly space is cleanliness. Sure, cleanups can be a solo mission — but they don't need to be. Contact us at Scoop Soldiers, and let us take over your pet waste management mission!
