How to create a pet-friendly garden

Key overview: How to make your garden more pet-friendly

• Line the outdoor space they love with hardy grass and bark chips – or add artificial grass or pebbles.
• Stop your pet digging by adding sensory plants and toys to keep them busy.
• Always keep water on hand and make sure there’s a shaded area.
• Lay down rugs or a pet bed on concrete outdoor areas to protect their feet from the heat.
• Try a small pet fountain or a shell pool for your pet to play with.
• Use natural pesticides and make sure any toxic plants are inaccessible.

How to stop your dog from digging up your garden

The key is to keep them entertained, so they’re less likely to be destructive!

Add pet-friendly sensory plants, features and toys

Pet-loving gardeners often find their twin passions are not particularly compatible. But if you design your garden with your furry friends in mind, they can enjoy it as much as you do – and may even be enticed away from digging up your flower beds! Landscape designer Mark Curtis of Secret Gardens says a dedicated pet pathway can help shape your dog’s garden circuit. “You can provide purposeful pockets of sensory plants and materials to keep them stimulated – and hopefully away from your prized gladioli,” says Mark.

Include elements to actively engage them in play

“A dedicated digging zone or sandpit can satisfy a dog’s natural instincts without sacrificing the garden, while a cat enclosure will keep the felines in and other animals out,” says Mark.

Engage curious animals with sensory stimuli like fragrant herbs, different surfaces underfoot, and shrubbery that forms tunnels or caves for hiding.

A water feature can also be fantastic in hot weather. If it’s a large feature – a pool or pond – either build it high or ensure you incorporate a submerged mesh layer to prevent drowning. Small-scale water play might be even better; cats love a small fountain or recirculating water bowl, while a plastic shell or paddling pool provides endless fun for dogs!

How to work with your pet’s habits

To save your frustration, learn your pet’s routines and try to incorporate them into your layout.

Create a safe zone. If your excitable pup regularly patrols the boundary, carve out this space as a proper path, lining it with bark chips, setting plants back from the fenceline and choosing hardy – but not spiky – plants, like ornamental grasses.

Toilet train for one area. Toileting is a fact of life, but if it’s your biggest garden gripe, consider training your dog to only go in one spot. And it doesn’t have to be on your lawn (the high nitrogen content in dog wee can burn grass). A dedicated patch of artificial turf or pebbles is a good alternative that’s easily hosed down.

Create a safe resting spot. Give your pet a safe space to snooze or watch the world go by. For a dog, this might be a quiet corner near the back door, so he can keep an eye on you; for a cat, it might be an elevated perch in a patch of sun.

How to keep your pet cool in hot weather

Most importantly, you need to provide shade, shelter and plenty of water at all times.

Make sure there’s a shady refreshment area outdoors. “A shaded feeding and water zone is important,” says Mark. Ideally, this spot should be as relaxing as possible and located near the house for easy access and cleaning.

Add a bed or rugs to protect their feet. If your garden is primarily concrete or tiles, you’ll need to ensure your furry friend can stay cool underfoot. “Hard, hot surfaces can burn paws in summer,” says Mark. To prevent this, consider adding outdoor rugs or patches of lawn to the areas your animal likes to frequent.

Remove common plants that are toxic to dogs and cats

Mark cautions that many plants are toxic to dogs and cats, including foxgloves, oleander flowers, sago palms, wisteria, hydrangeas and some types of lilies; these need to be confined to a space your pet can’t access. Use all-natural fertilisers and pesticides, and keep your yard free of clutter to help deter snakes and to avoid injuries from sharp edges and points.

Keep in mind…

• Take care when selecting your plants as some can be poisonous to pets.
• Before installing a pond, check your local authority’s safety regulations and guidelines.
• Always closely supervise children and pets around any body of water.

Want to know more about keeping your garden safe for your animals?

Check out our article on the most poisonous plants for pets.

 

Photo credit: Adobe Stock.