Close X
Monday, November 4, 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

    Picnic tips to ensure a good time

    Picnic tips to ensure a good time
    Use craft paper instead of your standard table runner to add a casual element to your outdoor setting. 

    Picnic tips to ensure a good time

    New Book Shows You How to Be an Effective Business

    New Book Shows You How to Be an Effective Business
    How Not to Act Like An Asshole at Work by international business consulting expert, Melissa Davies, delivers examples and lessons on how to create a business environment where team members are able to show up with their best selves and contribute to meeting the organizational mission. 

    New Book Shows You How to Be an Effective Business

    Grace International Jerk Food and Music Festival welcomes Ruben Studdard

    Grace International Jerk Food and Music Festival welcomes Ruben Studdard
    Former American Idol winner will kick off festival on August 5.

    Grace International Jerk Food and Music Festival welcomes Ruben Studdard

    Archipelago Botanicals Find A Cure Candle for Breast Cancer!

    Archipelago Botanicals Find A Cure Candle for Breast Cancer!
    Archipelago Botanicals has created a limited edition candle for Breast Cancer Awareness Month called FIND A CURE with 50% of the proceeds being donated to Breast Cancer Angels. 

    Archipelago Botanicals Find A Cure Candle for Breast Cancer!

    Tips to protect your home on social media

    Tips to protect your home on social media
    “Social media has almost completely erased any notion of privacy. Nowadays, when folks go on vacation, it’s not just the five people in their office who know about it – it’s their entire Twitter following.” says Steve Kolobaric of Weiser.

    Tips to protect your home on social media

    Yoga Can Also Enhance Your Beauty, Inner And External

    Yoga Can Also Enhance Your Beauty, Inner And External
    Regular yoga practice can help you in achieving true inner and external beauty like flawless skin, shiny hair and a slim figure.

    Yoga Can Also Enhance Your Beauty, Inner And External