Unleash your creativity and create an oasis where both you and your pup kick up your paws! Let’s dive into ideas for non-toxic blooms and secure pathways to create a truly tail-wagging, dog-safe backyard that promises endless fun for you and your furry friend.
Fence off your veggie garden to keep your pup away from toxic plants like onions, chives and rhubarb or prickly fruit and vegetables like raspberries or thorny chayotes. This way, you can ensure that only the backyard plants safe for dogs are accessible, keeping your pet away from potential hazards. Keep potting soil and fertilizer out of reach and secure ornamental plants by placing them in hanging baskets or raised planters.
Regularly check your yard or home for any fallen leaves, fruits or other debris that could be toxic or dangerous to your dog if ingested. A daily inspection will help maintain a dog-safe backyard and prevent any accidental ingestion of toxic material.
Install awnings, umbrellas or strategically planted trees to offer plenty of shade. A cool retreat is essential for keeping your dog comfortable on hot days, ensuring your yard remains a place for you and your pet to put your paws up and chill.
Say no to cocoa bean mulch—it can be as harmful as chocolate if ingested by your dog. Instead, use alternatives like shredded leaves, straw or untreated tree bark to keep your garden weed free and dog safe.
While gophers, moles, slugs and snails may be unwelcome visitors in your garden, steer clear of chemical baits intended for pests, as they often contain ingredients that can be attractive yet also toxic to dogs. Rely on pet-friendly pest control solutions to maintain a dog-safe backyard.
Always follow the directions on herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides, and store them securely away from your pet. This practice is crucial for creating a backyard where your pet can roam without risk.
Mosquitoes aren't just a nuisance–they're a health risk, too. Incorporate natural mosquito repellents into your gardens, such as citronella, lemon balm or rosemary, or install pet-friendly UV traps to establish backyard mosquito control dog-safe zones to help protect your pet.
These leafy green ornamentals are not just harmful—they're downright dangerous for your dog, so keep them out of your home or garden! Packed with cycasin, a toxin that spells trouble, ingestion can lead to severe liver failure within days. Every part of this plant is toxic, and ingestion can prove fatal without immediate treatment.
Also known as Nerium, oleander is a frequent sight in outdoor gardens, but many gardeners bring it indoors for the winter. Beware of its hidden danger to dogs! Oleander is loaded with cardiac glycosides. If ingested, these can cause drooling, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rhythms and neurological signs.
Spring blooms from these bulbs may paint our gardens and homes with beauty, but they have hidden toxins. From hyacinth and tulip bulbs causing vomiting and mouth burns to daffodils triggering convulsions and erratic heart rhythms, these floral wonders can pose serious risks. Keep your dog safe by steering clear of these toxic blooms.
And most importantly, opt for dog-safe flowers for backyard gardens! Research plants using the online ASPCA Dog Plant List to identify hazardous plants. The list is long, but fear not—you can still bask in beautiful blooms all summer by opting for dog-safe flowers, starting with this list of 15 pet-friendly plants to grow in your garden!
With a careful selection of backyard plants and flowers safe for dogs and strategic mosquito control measures, your garden will become a secure retreat where both you and your pet can enjoy the outdoors!
If you believe your dog has eaten a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 right away!
Have help whenever you need it with 24/7 Live Chat,* where our licensed veterinary professionals are always ready to answer your questions. Download the myVCA™ app. >>
*Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
