Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
Life

Five Pet-Friendly Tips for the Family Yard

Darpan News Desk, 22 May, 2019 11:12 PM

    Planted and cared for properly, the family yard can offer an outdoor living room for family, children and pets. It can also support biodiversity, foster health benefits for humans and pets, and benefit the environment.

    Here are TurfMutt’s top five tips for ensuring the family yard is a place everyone can enjoy year-round.

    Consider your dog’s needs
    Each dog – senior, puppy, small, big, active breed or not-so-much – has different needs. Is your dog a water hound? Maybe you should include a splash pool or water fountain. Got a digger? A sand pit might work well to keep your dog entertained – and the mess contained. Does your dog love to run the perimeter of your yard? Design your yard with his path in mind. Does she have dog friends next door? Maybe an eye-level hole in the fence would keep her from barking. Jot down everything your dog needs from your family yard, then you map out your landscaping accordingly.

    Keep your pet safe & sound
    One of the most important pet features in your family yard is a secure fence – whether it’s made of wood, metal, vinyl or concrete. Inspect and fix your fence – or install one – so you can rest easy knowing your dog is safely within the boundary of your yard.

    Include turfgrass
    Turfgrass is safe – unlike concrete, asphalt or hard ground – and offers your pet a soft, cool spot to lie down, even during the hottest conditions. It also creates a comfortable backyard playground and provides a place to take care of business. There are many types of turfgrass that can handle “ruff-housing” from dogs and kids alike. Check your climate zone to make sure you’re selecting an appropriate grass species for where you live. (Another bonus benefit is grass is very good at capturing and filtering rainwater.)

    Select the right plants
    You’ll want to have a balance of grass, flower plants, trees and shrubs in your family yard. Including this mix of species will not only be beautiful, it will also help support biodiversity. Remember, nature starts in your own backyard! Keeping your climate zone in mind, select appropriate landscaping for the areas you’ve identified in your yard. Around walking paths, for instance, you’ll want to include sturdy, yet soft foliage that can stand up to puppy and people traffic without scratching. Use elevated boxes and patio planters for more delicate flowering plants.

    Avoid toxic plants
    One last word of important advice – there are some plants and shrubs that are poisonous to dogs. You’ll want to avoid these in your outdoor living room entirely. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a list of toxic plants that you should refer to when shopping for your family yard.

     

    MORE Life ARTICLES

    Transgender Child Can Be Shock For Parents, But More Choosing To Support, Not Condemn

    Transgender Child Can Be Shock For Parents, But More Choosing To Support, Not Condemn
    Charlie was just three years old, sitting in the tub at bath time, when he looked up at his mom and asked: "Will my penis ever disappear? When will it shrink?"

    Transgender Child Can Be Shock For Parents, But More Choosing To Support, Not Condemn

    Let Workers Have Quality Family Time

    Let Workers Have Quality Family Time
    Supervisors who support the personal and family life of their colleagues and flexible work schedules can allow employees to spend more quality time with their families without affecting their work time, says a new research.

    Let Workers Have Quality Family Time

    A Good Shopping Deal Is Like Having Great Sex

    A Good Shopping Deal Is Like Having Great Sex
    Good shopping deals at your favourite store not only relieve you of stress or mood swings but can also arouse the euphoric joy of an orgasm!

    A Good Shopping Deal Is Like Having Great Sex

    Transitioning To Opposite Gender At Older Age Rife With Challenges But Also Joys

    Transitioning To Opposite Gender At Older Age Rife With Challenges But Also Joys
    With speculation rampant over former U.S. Olympian Bruce Jenner's apparent feminization and Jeffrey Tambor's portrayal of a septuagenarian father coming out as a woman in TV's "Transparent," public awareness of transgender issues has likely never been higher.

    Transitioning To Opposite Gender At Older Age Rife With Challenges But Also Joys

    Why Your Wine Tastes So Different

    Why Your Wine Tastes So Different
    Even the high-quality wine like Pinot Noir can have different taste and colours depending on where it was produced, says a study.

    Why Your Wine Tastes So Different

    Know Why Some People Are Slow Learners

    Know Why Some People Are Slow Learners
    Why are some people able to master a new skill quickly while others take longer? That is because the neural activity in quick learners is different from that in slow learners, reveals a study.

    Know Why Some People Are Slow Learners