We are a nation of animal lovers and in particular dogs, in 2021/22 34% of UK households owned a dog. According to Statista, in 2022 there were around 13 million pet dogs in the UK. The last thing we want for our pampered pooch is for their home or garden to be an unsafe place for them. Gardens can pose hidden dangers for dogs and playful dogs can cause considerable damage. In this article we share some hints and tips on how to balance a beautiful garden that is dog-friendly and safe for all to enjoy.
Garden Composition
For those of us who love a low maintenance garden, it can be tempting to put a lot of gravel down. Gravel though can get stuck in dogs’ paws and also pose a chocking hazard. As an alternative option to gravel consider laying down hard standing with patio slabs, which is less likely to cause your dog problems.
Lawns are a great area for dogs as they are soft and easy on sensitive paws.
To prevent your four-legged friend from digging up your plants and shrubs, consider adding raised beds. A particularly good idea if you plan to plant fruit and vegetables, raised beds will also prevent your dog from urinating on your prized plants. If raised beds are not an option, creating interesting paths around the garden can also be helpful at keeping your dog away from denser plantings.
Dogs are great escape artists and any secure garden will need a high fence (how high really depends on the acrobatic abilities of your pet) and also a high, robust and secure gate. Ensure that your boundary fences are in good condition with no gaps, especially underneath as dogs are pretty good a digging down.
Dog Zones
Your dog will use your garden a lot, even during the colder months. Consider adding a few zones or areas specifically for your dog’s use. A great example of a dog zone would be creating a toileting area, if your dog responds well to training this could make your life a lot easier and make the environment nicer for children and other family members to enjoy. Make sure to clear up after your dog regularly though, as the garden will quickly become quite unpleasant.
As we have mentioned, dogs love to dig and this can ruin your perfect lawn. Consider making dig pits for them. This will be a specific area you can train them to use which has soil, bark or sand in to give them a space to dig merrily without the danger of ruining your foliage.
Shade and Water
Dogs carry their coat around on them all the time and in the summer, it can get pretty hot. Try to create some nice, shaded areas for them to lie in. You might also want to consider a doggie paddling pool. Most dogs love a paddle and it will keep them and their paws cool in the hotter months but remember to change the water regularly as stagnant water is not good for them to ingest.
As an aside on the water part, make sure, if you have a pond that it is either shallow, or if not, fence it off so your dog cannot get into it.
During the summer months make sure that the garden has a water source for your dog to help keep them hydrated.
Dog Friendly Planting
Some plants are toxic to dogs and will need to be avoided so try to keep away from plants like:
- Chrysanthemums
- daffodil bulbs
- foxgloves
- hydrangea
- larkspur
- tomato plants (green fruit, stems and leaves)
- wisteria
- yew
You can still plant these but keep them in pots or raised beds that are out of reach, alternatively consider fencing off a section of the garden to keep your dog and planting apart.
Garden Hazards
It is tempting to spray your plants with pesticides or herbicides to kill the weeds or keep those greenfly away. Whilst not using any chemicals is always best for the environment and your garden’s eco system, if they do need to be used, use pet friendly varieties. Always read the label before use as quite a few pesticides and bug killers are not safe for your dog.
Keep your dog away from slugs, snails and frogs, if your dog ingests these, they can cause lungworm. If your dog has difficulty breathing, is lethargic and/or coughing seek advice from your Vet. If you aim to eradicate slugs and snails only use organic pellets as the others are also toxic for dogs.
We love gardening and our dogs, the two go really well together. Taking some time to make sure that the garden is a safe place for your dog is important as is making sure it remains an environment that the whole family can enjoy. We hope this article has given you some useful ideas on how to create that balance.
