Creating A Pet-Friendly Backyard
Would you love a backyard where your pets can safely roam, play, and spend time with you? When it comes to outdoor pet safety, there are toxic plants pets shouldn’t come into contact with, and care must be taken when choosing other landscaping supplies. To help you create a safe and enjoyable Sacramento pet backyard, our team at Cherry Creek Veterinary Hospital shares some of our favorite pet-friendly yard tips.
Dig for Details Before Choosing Plants
Pets love to chew, taste, and lick the local foliage, so the first step in creating dog-safe landscaping is to use pet-safe plants.
Examples of toxic plants pets shouldn’t nibble include:
- Lilies
- Sago palms
- Daffodils
- Tulips, hyacinths, and irises
- Crocuses
- Onions, garlic, and chives
- Tomatoes
The ASPCA maintains a list of toxic and nontoxic ornamental plants and vegetables.
Landscape With Pet-Safe Plants
When designing dog-safe landscaping, there are plenty of nontoxic plants to choose from.
These colorful ornamentals can be planted in your dog-safe landscaping:
- Black-eyed Susans
- Zinnias
- Magnolias
- Impatiens
- Petunias
- Pansies
- Sweet potato vine
- Marigolds
These edibles can be safely included in your pet-friendly garden ideas:
- Basil
- Catmint/catnip
- Carrots
- Zucchini
- Celery
- Peas and beans
- Lettuces/mixed greens
More Tips for Creating Sacramento Pet Backyards
Creating outdoor spaces where pets can safely explore provides valuable mental and physical stimulation. When looking for pet-friendly garden ideas, consider these suggestions to help your pets feel at home in your Sacramento pet backyard:
Natural flea repellents. To keep pests from bugging your pets, choose plants like marigolds, catnip, sage, and rosemary, which naturally repel fleas.
A space your pets will really “dig.” What cat or dog can resist the urge to dig? Create a designated space filled with sand and some of your pet’s favorite toys.
The perfect potty spot. Provide a designated area using a well-draining, pet-safe substrate, and encourage your pet to use that spot every time.
A path for pets. A path “paved” with pet-safe mulch made from pine or cedar, or pea gravel, will allow your pets to explore your gardens without trampling your perfect impatiens.
Pet-friendly garden products. Rather than bathe your garden in chemical pesticides, look for pet-friendly products like diatomaceous earth or nematodes. Read labels on fertilizer carefully, and choose natural plant boosters like bone meal, compost, manure, or potash.
Protect Pets From Plants That Are Off-Limits
Heirloom tomatoes might be toxic plants pets should avoid, but they’re delicious and nutritious for people! Use raised garden beds, wood fencing, or chicken wire to protect your pets from plants that are off-limits.
Need Advice
Whether you’re looking for more tips on outdoor pet safety or other ways to protect your pet’s health and well-being, we’ve got the answers you need. Contact us at (916) 349-2755 for more pet-friendly yard tips or if it’s time for your pet’s wellness visit.