Create the Best Landscape for Your Pet
This article includes tips to help you keep your lawn and garden safe for your pets. However, all pets are different, so talk with your pet’s veterinarian about the suitability of plants or any other features of your outdoor environment.
Identify Plants Poisonous to Cats and Dogs
The first and most important element of pet-friendly backyard landscaping to keep in mind is plant selection, as many seemingly harmless plants can be toxic to pets (and children). The ASPCA is an excellent resource for finding out which plants should be on your watch list. It provides a list of some common plants that are toxic to cats and dogs.
Below are examples of some plants that pet owners should avoid, but note that this list is incomplete. Check any plants that your pet might come into contact with to make sure they are nontoxic.
- Species of the Lilium genus in particular are very toxic to cats — consuming even small quantities of the plant material can lead to severe kidney damage.
- All parts of the sago palm are toxic, but the seeds are particularly problematic. Ingesting only a handful can cause liver failure in pets.
While the effect of the toxicity — from causing vomiting and diarrhea to cardiac arrhythmia and death — varies from plant to plant, none of these should be featured in the landscape of a pet owner.
There also are some common fruit trees that you may want to avoid in a pet-friendly landscape. For example, the toxin persin is present in the bark, leaves, fruit and seeds of the avocado tree. The Guatemalan avocado is of particular concern. There are also concerns about orange, apple, peach, cherry, apricot, lemon, lime and grapefruit trees.
If you want to incorporate plants that aren’t animal friendly, determine if you can create an area of the yard that pets can’t access.
Keep Pets Contained and Safe
Fencing can keep pets away from areas that might be dangerous and can, of course, keep them safe by making sure they stay in their designated space. Depending on the pet, many types of standard fencing work, including chain link, wood panel and vinyl panel. You can also consider an underground pet fence. Our guide, Install an Electronic Dog Fence, will help you decide if this type of containment system is right for your pet and show you how to install it.
Protect Pets From Pesticides
Pay attention to pest baits, insecticides and herbicides. For example, products for slug and snail control contain metaldehyde, an organic compound that can be dangerous or even fatal to pets. Systemic insecticides, such as those used on roses, can cause the same neurological problems in pets as the insects they’re meant to eliminate. Keep your pet away from any pesticides and use, store and dispose of the products according to the instructions.
Pet-Proof Lawn: The Best Grass for Dogs
Along with keeping your pet safe, you may also need to protect your landscape from your pet. In addition to digging and frequent use, a dog's urine can also damage your lawn.
Dog urine has a high nitrogen content that can damage grass and ground cover. Watering the area heavily after the dog urinates reduces the damage. You may also be able to train your pet to favor one specific, less visible area of the landscape.
When considering what types of grass are best for dogs, note that some types of grass, such as warm-season Bermuda grass, can recover more quickly from damage caused by dog urine than other types of grass. Many cool-season fescue grasses offer some resistance to damage caused by urine. And, while grass won’t stand up to a dog constantly pacing or running back and forth, warm-season Bermuda or zoysia, cool-season tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass offer good general-traffic tolerance.
Artificial Grass for Dogs
High-quality fake grass for dogs can be a great alternative to natural grass. It’s soft, looks great and can stand up to pet traffic better than turfgrass. Urine won't damage artificial grass; liquid drains through the backing and you can simply rinse the lawn as needed. Stains typically clean up with water and mild soap. There are other benefits as well:
- It's a low-maintenance option.
- You won't need to worry about lawn pests or weeds.
- Your dog is less likely to get dirty playing outside.
- It reduces tracked in dirt, mud and grass.
Even if you don't want your entire lawn to be artificial, you can install an area of artificial grass just for your dog.
Want to see other ways artificial grass can improve your landscape? Take a look at our artificial grass guide for more benefits, uses and for installation instructions.
Hardscaping
Consider hardscaping as a lawn alternative. Hardscaping resists traffic and digging, and can establish defined pathways, but be sure to look for rounded stones and pavers that won’t hurt your pet’s paws.
If you’re considering using mulch in your landscape, check with a veterinarian first for recommendations. Avoid cocoa-based mulch, which is toxic to pets. Even mulch that isn’t toxic can pose a choking hazard if your pet decides to chew it.
Keeping your lawn in good shape helps it resist damage and quickly recover from damage. See our guide to basic lawn care and maintenance to learn how to grow a healthy, green lawn.
Keep Your Pet Cool and Sheltered Outside
Create a landscape design that helps your pets protect themselves from the elements. If your dog spends a large part of the day enclosed in a yard, make sure they have shade and protection from rain. If trees don’t create shady spots, create your own with a shade sail or shade fabric. Create an indented area in a cool, shady place. Otherwise, your dog may create its own cool spot in a less-than-desirable location. And of course, a doghouse is an option to provide shelter from the sun and rain.
An outdoor fountain or other water feature can be a creative way to keep your pet hydrated while adding visual and auditory interest. Make sure the water circulates well to help prevent mosquitoes and avoid water treatments that can be harmful to pets. Create a stable setup and don’t use sharp edges. Keep it clean, and if a pet can get in, make sure that they can easily and safely get out.