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

    Famous Mural About Punjab Comes To Surrey

    Famous Mural About Punjab Comes To Surrey
    An awe-inspiring mural from renowned Indian graphic artist and designer Orijit Sen is making its home at the Surrey Art Gallery for 6 months. From Punjab, with Love is a digital reproduction of Sen’s famous 75 metre long fibreglass and acrylic mural at the Moshe Safdie designed Virasat-e-Khalsa Museum in Anandpur Sahib India. 

    Famous Mural About Punjab Comes To Surrey

    Valentine's Day Selfie Contest! Who's Your Valentine?

    Valentine's Day Selfie Contest! Who's Your Valentine?
    Celebrate your Love with DARPAN Magazine. Spread your Love with DARPAN'S Selfie Contest!

    Valentine's Day Selfie Contest! Who's Your Valentine?

    Canada Finds Case Of H7N9 Bird Flu In BC Traveller From China; First In North America

    Canada Finds Case Of H7N9 Bird Flu In BC Traveller From China; First In North America
    TORONTO — Canadian health authorities say they have diagnosed a case of H7N9 bird flu in a British Columbia woman who recently returned from China.

    Canada Finds Case Of H7N9 Bird Flu In BC Traveller From China; First In North America

    Japanese Fashion Retailer Uniqlo To Open First Two Canadian Locations In Toronto

    Japanese Fashion Retailer Uniqlo To Open First Two Canadian Locations In Toronto
    TORONTO — Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo will open its first two Canadian stores in Toronto next year. Uniqlo is owned by Fast Retailing Co., which designs, manufactures and sells clothing under several brands around the world.

    Japanese Fashion Retailer Uniqlo To Open First Two Canadian Locations In Toronto

    Kids Get Leg Up In Life With Lessons On Mindfulness: UBC Study

    Kids Get Leg Up In Life With Lessons On Mindfulness: UBC Study
    VANCOUVER — Paying extra attention appears to have paid off for a group of Grade 4 and 5 students in Coquitlam, B.C., who participated in a mindfulness program.

    Kids Get Leg Up In Life With Lessons On Mindfulness: UBC Study

    Hostile boss? Give it right back

    Hostile boss? Give it right back
    According to a new study, employees felt less like victims when they retaliated against their bad bosses and, as a result, experienced less psychological...

    Hostile boss? Give it right back