Cats and dogs love being outdoors. And they love being our companions in the garden. But have you thought about designing an outdoor space to meet their needs? You may not have the space to provide them with their own separate area, but there are several adjustments you can make to allow you all to coexist. Here are our tips on creating a pet-friendly garden for your furry friends.

1.Security

The first consideration when creating a pet-friendly garden is security. Cats may be free to come and go as they please but you won’t want your dog leaving the garden area. So check that hedges cannot be breached and create secure walls or fences. Make sure that family members know to keep the gate locked at all times.

2.Safety

Did you know that there are certain plants and flowers that are poisonous to pets? For example, crocuses, lilies and daffodils are just a few varieties that are harmful to both cats and dogs. There are many others. A curious pet may attempt to eat them or brush past them and lick the pollen from their fur. Make sure you’re familiar with harmful plants and remove them from your garden. And don’t stop there. Seeds travel on the wind and wild plants can pop up all over the garden. Keep an eye out for those.

When using weed killer, slug pellets, or any other chemicals, always check that they are pet-friendly. There are many toxins that can cause illness and worse in pets.

3. A Beautiful Lawn And Garden

You’re proud of your beautiful garden, and rightly so. You have spent a lot of time to create a tranquil space and have invested in a good lawn care service. Your lawn has never looked more lush and green. So the last thing you want is for your dog or cat to dig it up. But of course, digging is in their nature. So what can you do?

The best way to prevent this is to create dedicated areas for them to dig. Cats love soft soil. So create a few beds full of this where they can dig as much as they like. And for dogs, make a game out of burying some of their toys and bones and allow them to dig them up. This should focus their attention and detract them from digging in other areas.

4. Pathways

Because our pets don’t wear shoes, some surfaces are uncomfortable for their paws. So avoid laying any gravel with sharp edges. Instead, opt for softer choices such as pea gravel.

5. Playtime

Dogs can easily get bored. They are pack animals and like companionship. Therefore spend as much time out of doors with them as you can. Allow them to run around, if your garden is big enough and let them play with their favourite toys.  Or consider finding a dog walker to mentally stimulate your dog. You can find your local dog walker Maidstone at Poppy and Pals.

Cats are much more independent and will be happy to while away the time wandering around and dozing. Consider planting cat grass and catnip.

Make the space as interesting as possible. Provide places for your pets to climb and hide. Large bushes, trees and sprawling flower beds create fun spaces for them to play and hide in.

The next time you’re outdoors with your furry friends, think about how you could make a more pet-friendly space. It only takes a few adjustments, and everyone can benefit.

For more blogs like Creating A Pet-Friendly Garden For Your Furry Friends like the Poppy and Pals Pet Care facebook page