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Spring is almost here, which means it’s time to start thinking about your garden. Whether your garden is functional or purely aesthetic, it is important to make sure it is safe for everyone in the family, including your pets. With this advice from the veterinarians here at Androscoggin Veterinary HospitalAnimal-friendly gardening can be child’s play!
Choose the right plants
One of the most important aspects to consider when it comes to gardening without pets is the type of plants you should grow. Some plants are toxic to animals, so it is essential to choose plants that are safe for pets. If you’re looking for dog-friendly garden ideas, avoid the following plants that are toxic to dogs:
- Aloe Vera
- Bird of Paradise
- Corn plant
- Desert Rose
- Elephant ear
- Ivy
- Jade
- Philodendron
If you’re more interested in cat-safe garden design, be sure to avoid these plants that are toxic to cats:
- Azaleas
- Cyclamen
- Daffodils
- Hyacinth
- Lilies
- Oleander
- Tulips
Keeping these plants out of your garden will create a more pet-friendly space, allowing you to feel comfortable letting your pets enjoy their time outdoors.
Protect your space from animals
Just like protection against animals Inside your home, it’s important to prepare outdoor spaces for pets. Pet-friendly gardening can include plants that are safe for pets, and even some that you can feed your pets, but you’ll still want to design a space that keeps your pets away from your plants to keep them safe and make sure everything can grow properly. Use a fence to separate areas where plants will grow. If that’s not possible, you can also use hanging pots to grow plants that dogs won’t be able to reach, or place pots on the ground and use chicken wire to keep cats away.
Create a play area for your pets
In addition to choosing the right types of plants and installing barriers for your plants, it’s also a good idea to create a play area for the ultimate pet-friendly landscaping. Creating a designated play area for your pets will encourage them to spend more time in that part of the yard and less time sniffing around the garden. Make sure there is plenty of space for your pets to run and clear pathways around any areas with plants. If your pets like to dig, designate a digging area with loose soil and encourage them to dig there rather than near plants. Create a shaded area where your pets can escape the heat and have access to fresh water.
If you need veterinary services in Brunswick or Topsham or if you would like to know more about dog friendly garden ideas or cat safe garden design you can contact veterinary team here at Androscoggin Veterinary Hospital. Call us at (207) 729-4678 to schedule an appointment for your pet.