Creating a pet-friendly garden doesn’t mean your garden has to be bare with a patchy lawn and dug-up plants! If you are starting to make your garden pet friendly or already have your perfect garden and are about to introduce your new pet, here are some tips to help you and your pet enjoy the garden together.
Key points of a pet-friendly garden
- Avoid the use of chemicals
- Secure boundary
- Non-toxic plants
- Stimulating interest
- Training
At Merryhatton we are keen to encourage only the essential use of chemicals. If you do have to deal with weeds or garden pests, try to think of non-chemical ways to do this. Sometimes we do have to resort to weedkillers and pesticides and in that case we recommend that read the packaging carefully so that you choose treatments that are least harmful.
Create a pet-friendly garden with a secure boundary
You won’t want your pet to escape your garden, so make sure all boundaries are the right height to keep them safe, and there are no holes or ways to dig underneath. You can also plant in front of boundaries for added security. Keep your gate locked and all items in the garden secure as well such as your compost bin and shed.
Choose plants wisely to create a pet-friendly garden
Some plants are toxic to pets, so it’s important to check before planting out. If you already have a garden full of plants, just take a note of them and read up online or ask us in store.
Create a pet-friendly garden and stimulate their senses
A sensory garden isn’t just a wonderful place for us but also for our pets. Tall grasses that move and rustle in the wind can be great fun, plus hiding places, areas specifically to play in and even a basket of toys left outside.
Training can be important to create a pet-friendly garden
The lawn is, of course, most gardeners issue when it comes to dogs. Their urine can mean a patchy lawn. There are various things to try, such as immediately rinsing the grass, using lawn protection dog rocks in their water bowl that neutralises their urine. Still, the best thing all around is to train your dog to go to the toilet in a specific area in the garden. If you pick a patch and know that spot is for your pet, you might manage to save the rest of your lawn.
Most importantly, though, enjoy your garden and make some precious memories with your family pet.
For advice on pet-friendly plants, pet supplies, and more, visit us in the store.
