Pet-friendly landscapes

Pet-friendly landscapes

Now is a good time to think about how to keep our four-legged friends safe while maintaining our landscapes.

Avoid potentially dangerous plants

Many dogs dig up or chew bulbs and plants. If your dog is a curious type who likes to dig or taste what’s growing, keep dangerous plants in an area that pups can’t access or avoid them altogether. Some plants that could make your dog sick:

• Spring flowering bulbs like daffodils or tubers like dahlias and irises
• Grapes, peach stones, and apple seeds
• Chrysanthemums, clematis, and horse chestnut tree

ASPCA offers a list on their website of plants that are potentially toxic to dogs. A landscape professional can also help you choose the right plants to keep your yard beautiful and your dog safe.

Provide shade

When the sun is shining, dogs need a place to escape the heat. If you don’t have mature trees to offer shade, be sure your pet has access to a covered porch, patio, or other shade structure so they can cool off when they aren’t sunning themselves.

Make water available

Make sure that your dog has access to fresh, clean water when they are outside playing or even just lying in the sun. If you have a water feature, make sure the products used to keep it clean are safe for pets.