Keeping Your Dog Safe In The Garden: Top Tips You Need to Know
Creating the perfect pet oasis for your dog in your garden doesn't need to be complex. It does need to be safe, though. This means you need to be careful about any products you use and materials you add to the garden to avoid creating a pet space with potentially harmful products.
With these tips, you can create a safe and enjoyable space for both you and your four-legged family member. A safe garden not only ensures your dog's well-being but also allows you to relax and enjoy your outdoor space without worry.
Avoid Chemicals
One of the best ways to keep your pooch safe in the garden is to avoid the use of chemicals in gardening activities, especially weed killers. If your dog is a digger or likes to chew on grass or pull at weeds, they can potentially ingest some residue on any weeds you might have sprayed that can make them ill. Try to use natural remedies for the removal of weeds if required or manually pull them out to reduce the need to use chemical weed killers or any other products to do the job.
Trim Bushes and Shrubs
The tidier any bushes and shrubs are, the easier it will be to keep your pet safe and spot any potential issues that can be dangerous, i.e., holes in shrubs they can make their way through. Not only do neatly trimmed bushes look good and will give you more enjoyment when using your outdoor space, but they also remove escape routes potentially created as messy bushes and shrubs might hide gaps big enough to escape from the hidden eye. But your dog will know exactly where it is. Tools like a cordless hedge trimmer can help you maintain your hedge and shrubs to keep them thriving all year round and safe for pets, too.
Remove Toxic Plants
Sadly, some really pretty plants can be highly toxic to dogs if they eat them. Daffodils, tulips, and Lily of the Valley are just a few plants that can make your dogs ill if consumed, so removing them from your garden or home if you have them can keep them safe. Swapping them for flowers such as roses, camellias, lavenders, and marigolds can still afford you a beautiful blooming garden without the danger for any dogs you have at home.
Create Digging Free Zones
If you have a digger, you might be looking to avoid the unsightly mess that holes around your garden bring. After all, the garden needs to be a space you enjoy, too. Strong smells can deter some dogs, as can adding patio areas or using pots instead of planting flowers in the ground to keep them safe.
Coffee grounds in your solids, dried pepper, and bitter orange can also work to deter your dog from digging. These can create specific digging zones for them to use while training the theme not to dig your garden in other areas. If nothing else, it will provide you with a great training exercise outdoors.
Security First
Approaching your garden upkeep with security in mind means you can always keep your dog safe and secure on your premises. Check your gates and fences really for any damage that can harm your dog or facilitate an escape. Remove any damaged, loose nails, screws etc, and anything that harms your dog, i.e., broken glass. Remedy any issues immediately so your garden is secure and no harm comes to your pet. And if you do notice any of these issues, leave them outside unattended so they don't accidentally get hurt or break free and have you running up the road after them in your PJs.
Snail and Slug Safety
Snails and slugs can potentially carry lungworm, making your dog ill. The last thing you want is your dog to accidentally ingest these common garden pests or even get close enough to lick or interact with them.
However, keeping your garden free from these common creatures isn't always easy, and you need to use pet-safe treatments to avoid accidentally making your dog ill from chemical deterrents. These deterrents can be harmful not only to your dog, so it’s important you understand the risks when using them or you find safer options you can use instead.
Ensuring your dog's safety in the garden is a responsibility every pet owner should uphold. These tips not only make the area safe for both pet and human use but also reflect your caring and responsible attitude towards your pet's well-being.