Close X
Saturday, November 2, 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

    Get Your Pup Geared Up for the Holiday

    Get Your Pup Geared Up for the Holiday
    For dog lovers, by dog lovers, Charlie and Spike is a brand you can trust to deliver the highest quality material. 

    Get Your Pup Geared Up for the Holiday

    BC Students Call for More Housing

    BC Students Call for More Housing
    The report, which details the process for universities to build on-campus housing, demonstrates that the student housing would be able to alleviate part of the housing crisis, building much needed rental housing, while also improving the quality of British Columbia’s universities.

    BC Students Call for More Housing

    KPU signs history-making MOU with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

    KPU signs history-making MOU with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
    This will be the first transfer agreement between BUCM and a North American public post-secondary institution.

    KPU signs history-making MOU with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

    Script about Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women Receives Continued Support

    Script about Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women Receives Continued Support
    The script, centred on missing and murdered Aboriginal women, struck a chord with LEAP Program Leader Shawn Macdonald and Arts Club Education Coordinator Kevan Ellis, who continued to seek ways to support its development.

    Script about Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women Receives Continued Support

    Top 5 Reasons to Volunteer Abroad as a Teacher

    Top 5 Reasons to Volunteer Abroad as a Teacher
    With the new academic year starting tomorrow, Projects Abroad shares the most important motivations to volunteer as a teacher in the developing world

    Top 5 Reasons to Volunteer Abroad as a Teacher

    Keeping your garden healthy all year long

    Keeping your garden healthy all year long
    Tips and tricks for taking care of your lawn and garden this autumn

    Keeping your garden healthy all year long