You want your dog to be safe while playing in the yard, but you also want your landscaping to survive. With proper planning, you can have both. Here are 13 dog-friendly landscaping ideas for you to consider.
10 Tips for Creating Dog-Friendly Landscaping in Your Yard
Updated Sep. 16, 2024
Safety First
Safety should always come first when it comes to your pet. When considering landscaping ideas, always ask yourself, “Is this safe for my dog?” Of course, that’s going to require a little research to know what kind of plants and landscaping materials are safe for your pet.
You’ll also have to consider other factors, like the age of your pet or the breed. For example, all dogs love a sunny spot to lay in, but puppies or working dogs would certainly appreciate places to romp, sniff and maybe even dig. Think about other needs too. Is your yard easy to take care of? Is it easy to pick up dog poop without extra hassle?
The tips below will help you get started.
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Think Like Your Dog
Different breeds will want different things, so think like your dog. Does your dog love to run around and play? Consider an agility course. Does your dog prefer to lay in the shade? Make sure there’s a comfortable spot to stay cool.
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Watch Out for Toxins
There are many plants that are toxic to pets, some of which are common in landscaping. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) offers a list of plants that can be dangerous to your pet. If you use chemicals, make sure they are safe to be used around pets.
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Provide a Water Source
If your dog will spend a lot of time in the yard, be sure they have access to water. While a water bowl will do the job, a small splash fountain or small water feature may be even more fun for your dog, as long as you keep the water fresh and clean.
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Use Safe Materials
Be sure to use materials that are safe for pets. Materials should be easy to walk on and not get too hot for a dog’s foot pads. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) says flat rocks, pavers and bricks are good choices. Pebbles and rocks are also good choices as long as they aren’t sizes that will get stuck in paws. However, note that some dogs may be tempted to eat small pebbles.
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Play Safe
You’ll need a place where your pet can get some exercise. Be sure there is space for your dog to run and play without running into anything. That could be a wide open grassy area in the yard, or even an attached. If you have the space to do it, you can install fenced-in spot on your property, like your own little dog park.
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Offer Shelter
Your dog may need to take shelter from the hot sun or a sudden shower. If you don’t have a tree to offer protection, a pergola or overhead shade cloth can help. Some dogs may also like relaxing in a dog house, which is an easy DIY project.
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Create Paths
Some dog breeds love to patrol their territory, so create some paths throughout the yard. Use patio pavers, brick, much or pebbles. And if you use any landscaping plants on the path’s edges, be sure they are safe for pets.
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Use Safe Mulch
Not all mulches are safe for dogs. According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, some veterinarians have expressed concerns about the use of cocoa bean shell mulch, especially for those with dogs left unsupervised in the yard. There have been some reports of dogs eating the mulch and getting sick. So before you start dumping a bag of mulch in your yard, make sure it doesn’t contain any kind of materials that could be harmful to pets.
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Create a Border
If you have an area of the yard that is off-limits to your dog, make sure you have some kind of barrier set up. Some people use large pieces of driftwood to keep dogs from areas of the yard that are off-limits. Large rocks may also keep your dog away from any flowers you don’t want them to trample. If your dog likes to jump, be sure the barrier isn’t too low.
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Choose Sensible Plants
When selecting plants for your landscaping, in addition to making sure they aren’t toxic to pets, consider plants that will stand up to play and rough-housing. Be sure the plants are sturdy enough, but also that they don’t have any thorns, thistles or burrs that may get caught in your dog’s paws or fur.
Originally Published: February 25, 2019
