Creating a pet-friendly yard

If you have kids, ensuring the yard is child-safe is usually a very high priority, from a pool fence around the pool, to making sure that there are no toxic plants or shrubs that are going to cause irritable skin rashes.

The same goes for pets. Creating a safe but fun environment for your furry friends to play in is great.

There are plants that can be quite toxic to cats and dogs, including:

·      Tomato plants – if you’re growing tomatoes, keep them securely fenced away from your furry friends. A small amount of ripe tomato is fine for you cat or dog, but the leaves, green stems and unripe fruit contain solanine which can be quite harmful (humans included) if ingested in large amounts.

·      Chives – quite toxic to cats and dogs, despite how scrumptious they are for us. Growing them in a pot out of your pets’ reach is recommended.

·      Hydrangeas – the toxins in both leaf and plant can upset your pet’s stomach so have them growing in an area away from their access.

·      Devil’s ivy – if ingested, this common indoor plant can make it hard to breathe and swallow for our furry pals.

Plants and vegetables that are safe for my pet:

·      Strawberries, blueberries, lettuce – dogs love munching on these.

·      Wheat or oat grass – grown in a pot or herb garden, this is something your cat will enjoy nibbling on.

·      Lemon balm – this easy-to-grow plant gives off a soothing fragrance that most cats and dogs enjoy.

Additional things to create a pet-friendly garden:

·      Digging pit – a digging pit with some toys, bones or treats will keep you dog interested and prevent them from remodelling your lawn.

·      Scratching post – cats love to scratch and it is good for their health. It gives them a good stretch and keeps their claws in good condition. A post or two will prevent them from adding unwanted indentations to your furniture.

Other dangers to be aware of:

·      Fertilisers – ingesting fertiliser can make your pet extremely sick. Keep fertiliser sealed and away and be cautious when using it on your lawn.

·      Open or broken fence/gate – a damaged fence or an open gate runs the risk of a pet escaping and this can have an array of varying repercussions. If you have a wooden fence, regularly check the condition of the fence – no splintered wood that could cause injury.

Article extrapolated from Houzz https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/how-do-i-create-a-pet-friendly-garden-stsetivw-vs~112756702