3 August, 2015
Yes, you heard us right – protecting your pets from your yard might seem a little backwards, but it’s just as important as protecting your yard from your pets. Creating a pup-proof backyard isn’t as tough as it may seem, though. Here’s how to do it:
Smooth it out
Those misshapen rocks may look great in your garden from an aesthetic perspective, but they aren’t so great for your pet’s paws. Instead, opt for a smoother variety – or better yet, ditch them altogether. Small stones can be ingested even by little dogs, and can potentially be a choking hazard.
Use a fence in your garden
For your actual garden, it’s important to fence it off entirely, as many plants are poisonous for dogs (and meant for human enjoyment, of course). You can choose from a variety of decorative options, such as a traditional lattice fence or plain old chicken wire. Regardless of which one you opt for, make sure it’s not too short or easy to knock over. You should also remove any barbed wire using a micro wire cutter to ensure your pets don’t get caught or cut. Be careful whilst removing it and always wear gloves, then dispose of it safely to ensure wildlife doesn’t become entangled in it.
Be careful with your fertilizer, bug repellents and pest poisons
Some of the things you spray on your plants and leave in your bushes can be incredibly dangerous for your pets, such as fertilizer, rat poison, or bug repellents. What’s worse, dogs often confuse fertilizer for food, meaning they don’t just accidentally eat it – they seek it out. It can be tough to nix these things when you’re seeking a gorgeous garden, but they aren’t worth the potential harm they could cause your pup. Fertilizers can also be damaging to your pet’s paws so you may want to ensure their paws are well protected. One way you could potentially do this is through protective items such as dog boots which can be found at sites like, Walkee Paws as well as other reputable websites that focus on the care and protection of your pet. Alternatively, you could invest in specially manufactured fertilizers that are pet-friendly and therefore designed to be gentle on your dog’s paws.
Don’t leave the grill open
There’s nothing better than grilling in the backyard, but it’s dangerous to leave your pet near a hot grill unattended. To mitigate the risk of something going awry, make sure the grill is always closed when you’re not actively putting on or flipping meat.
Get a good fence
This one is a no brainer – the fence surrounding your yard as a whole should be high enough that your pup can’t hop over it or slip through one of the cracks. You can even use an additional fence to surround a small area of your yard for your pet to hang out it when you’re not able to keep an eye on it. You can check out some custom vinyl fences so you can have it matched to your specifications, helping you protect your garden and animals.
Long live the dog house
“Dog house” might have a negative connotation when it’s used colloquially, but dog houses are actually great for pets, especially in bad weather. To get the most out of your backyard dog house, it’s a good idea to choose one that is insulated for the cold and entirely protected from the rain. As a bonus, this will also give your pup some shade when it’s super hot.
Keep them off the outdoor furniture
OK, so this tip isn’t exactly for your pet’s safety so much as it is for you sofa’s, but you get the idea. Training your pets to stay off the outdoor furniture means they won’t do any damage to those cushions – and they won’t fall off, either.
