Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 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

    'Sacred Sperm' Explores Ultra-orthodox Sex Taboos, Takes Intimate Peek At Insular Jewish Mores

    'Sacred Sperm' Explores Ultra-orthodox Sex Taboos, Takes Intimate Peek At Insular Jewish Mores
    JERUSALEM — Like so many parents, Ori Gruder was grappling with how to talk to his 10-year-old son about sex. Being a member of Israel's ultra-Orthodox religious community, which tends to keep discussions of sexuality to a whisper, made the task even more difficult.

    'Sacred Sperm' Explores Ultra-orthodox Sex Taboos, Takes Intimate Peek At Insular Jewish Mores

    What To Avoid On Valentine's Day

    What To Avoid On Valentine's Day
    How would you feel if your cellphone rings at the table or there's a long pause when the cheque comes during your Valentine's Day date -- make sure you try avoiding certain situations when you take your loved one out.

    What To Avoid On Valentine's Day

    Grace Walia Wins Miss India Indonesia 2015 Title

    Grace Walia Wins Miss India Indonesia 2015 Title
    Grace Walia was crowned Miss India Indonesia 2015, a pageant that seeks to build a bridge between the Indian and Indonesian communities. Ambassador of India Gurjit Singh was the chief guest of the evening.

    Grace Walia Wins Miss India Indonesia 2015 Title

    Mother Knows Best, Even On Valentine's Day: Young Daters Say Mom's Opinion Counts For A Lot

    Mother Knows Best, Even On Valentine's Day: Young Daters Say Mom's Opinion Counts For A Lot
    With Valentine's Day coming up, it's something to think about: Winning over mom may sound old-fashioned, but it's still a smart strategy in today's fast-changing, app-tapping, hookup-happy world of dating.

    Mother Knows Best, Even On Valentine's Day: Young Daters Say Mom's Opinion Counts For A Lot

    When Is A Child Ready To Travel Solo? Maturity Levels And Street Smarts Are Key

    When Is A Child Ready To Travel Solo? Maturity Levels And Street Smarts Are Key
    TORONTO — "Free range" parents who believe in raising self-reliant kids have made headlines and generated debate for allowing their children to commute on their own.

    When Is A Child Ready To Travel Solo? Maturity Levels And Street Smarts Are Key

    5 Places That Unhealthy Germs Might Be Lurking In Your Kitchen, And How To Clean Them

    5 Places That Unhealthy Germs Might Be Lurking In Your Kitchen, And How To Clean Them
    Even the tidiest kitchens might be harbouring harmful bacteria, and often where they're least expected. Paying more attention to a few often-overlooked places can help keep your household safer, experts say.

    5 Places That Unhealthy Germs Might Be Lurking In Your Kitchen, And How To Clean Them