You and your family love to spend time outdoors, whether it’s in the yard, at the park, or on a hike. But did you know that your dog also loves spending time outdoors? Your pet needs a place of their own to enjoy all the fresh air and sunshine without having unpleasant experiences.
It would be best to consider some important factors when planning your garden or backyard’s landscape. While anyone can get a regular old lawn, there are some landscaping tips for dog owners that will make your pup’s outdoor space even more special and safe.
Landscaping Tips for Dog Owners
From picking out plants and grass to installing a fence and artificial turf, read on for some helpful tips on how to make your backyard an oasis for you and your furry friend.
Install a Fence
Dogs love to spend time outdoors. They have an inherent urge to play and run around. As such, it makes sense to install a fence, so your pup can play without facing any accident or getting lost.
If you have a small yard, make sure to encircle it with a fence so it looks and feels larger to your furry friend. For instance, you could create a dog run by fencing a section of your yard. This will allow for more elaborate landscaping outside the fence.
Use Dog-Friendly Grass
When a dog urinates, it leaves brown stains in the grass. This looks unpleasant and unwelcoming. While you can wash the stains with water after your dog has finished urinating, it can be tough to do regularly.
So, is there an easy way to cope with this problem? Well, you can replace the regular grass with dog-friendly grass as a ground cover. For example, you can use clover or synthetic turf or tougher varieties, such as Buffalo Grass or Kentucky Bluegrass, because they’re more resistant to accumulating urine stains.
Artificial turf can save you money in the long run since it would require minimal care and no mowing expenses.
Incorporate Safer Materials
Make sure to use pet-friendly materials in your backyard or garden. The materials should be easy to walk on and not overheat the dog’s pads. Landscape supplies in Calgary like flat rocks, pavers, and bricks are excellent options for this purpose. Pebbles and rocks are also acceptable options, as long as they are not too large to get stuck in your dog’s paws.
Use Dog-Friendly Plants and Fertilizers
Some plants, fertilizers, and weed blockers can be toxic for animals. If you have a dog that eats everything, make sure your flower and plant beds aren’t harmful. Plus, make sure the fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals you use are pet-safe. We recommend you use safer options such as soil amendment to enhance the soil instead of synthetic chemicals that can risk your beloved furry companion.
Providing a Water Source
If you live in a hot region, make sure to install a water feature in your backyard so your dog can cool off when needed. Dogs, particularly Spaniels and Retrievers, enjoy playing in the water.
Water features keep your dog hydrated when the heat rises. Plus, they provide hours of excitement and add a distinctive touch to your dog-friendly yard design.
Using high-quality landscape supplies to build a water feature is good since dogs tend to chew everything off, and low-quality materials can easily get ruined.
Provide Shade in Your Yard
Sunbathing is fun for dogs, but they need shade to avoid overheating in the summer. As such, be sure to incorporate towering trees, bushes, or tall grasses in your landscape design, so your dog has no difficulty relaxing in the shade after a game of fetch. A stylish doghouse can enhance your garden’s aesthetics while providing a shady haven for your pet.
With the above tips in mind, you can create a beautiful, safe, and welcoming yard for you and your dog. Being a pet owner does not mean that you need to sacrifice your dream yard. It takes only a few intelligent adjustments to make your landscape pet-friendly.