If you have a dog at home, dog-friendly backyard landscaping ideas might be just what you need to inspire your backyard upgrade. Are you concerned about your pet’s safety around plants? Do you want to protect the condition of your garden? Or, do you just want to make your dog feel more comfortable playing in the yard?
Regardless of your reasoning, there are plenty of options that work for any circumstance. Here are some great tips and ideas for creating a dog-friendly outdoor environment at home:
Lose the lawn
A lawn might seem like the perfect environment for a dog, but both their digging and droppings can mean trouble for the health of the yard. If you want a more sustainable backyard your pups will also benefit from, consider replacing your lawn with any number of dog-friendly grass alternatives.
For the same lush feel without the maintenance, try planting dog-friendly ground covers like Irish moss, creeping thyme or clover. These hardy ground covers feel soft under your dog’s paws, but can stand up to rough play and pet urine.
Plus, they’re much more environmentally friendly than grass lawns because they require almost zero watering once established.
Dog-friendly plants
Another aspect of dog-friendly landscaping is keeping your pooch safe from toxic or dangerous plants. If you love fragrant, vibrant flowers, good news: you can plant fuchsias, sunflowers, snapdragons, nasturtiums and magnolia bushes without worrying about your pet’s safety.
If you’re more interested in tall greenery, maiden grass makes an extremely durable pet safe option for your backyard landscape. Your dog will love romping around in the long, rustling leaves - meanwhile, you can rest easy knowing they won’t get sick if they happen to take a bite.
If you want to create a dog-friendly landscape at home, prioritize replacing your lawn with a mat-like ground cover and choosing plants carefully to keep your four-legged friends healthy. If you remember these key tips, both you and your dog will enjoy the benefits of a dog-friendly yard.
About the Author
Cheryl Cook
Hi, I'm CHERYL COOK and I'd love to assist you. Whether you're looking for advice and guidance to prepare your property for sale or in the research phase of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
I am a dedicated full-time Broker Associate with eXp Realty. I obtained my New Jersey Real Estate License in 2003 and mentored under seasoned Real Estate professionals who taught and inspired me with their experiences. As a member of the National, State, and North Central Jersey Association of REALTORS® I have achieved the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designations as well as Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource (SFR®) certification. I specialize in residential sales in Somerset, Union, Middlesex and Essex Counties.
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