Creating a dog friendly garden

Safety first

We want to ensure our gardens are as safe as possible, especially if you have a young puppy, elderly dog or one with mobility issues or poor vision.

Lots of dogs enjoy water and providing shallow areas to paddle or splash can be great fun. However, it is important to think about water safety too. Ensure hot tubs always have the lid replaced when not in use. If you have a pond, think about the depth of the water, and size of your dog. If they cannot easily touch the bottom, and jump out unaided, ensure there is a safe exit (such as a ramp or steps, which is great for wildlife too) or the pond area is securely fenced. This is especially important for puppies and geriatric pets.

Most adult dogs don’t make a habit of eating plants. But lots of puppies do, and some adults will still enjoy a munch. If your dog has a history of eating plants, it is important to discuss this with your vet in case there is a medical cause and carefully check the safety of plants in your garden. Below are a few of the common plants which need to be treated with caution due to their toxicity to our pets;

• Acorns (toxic and can cause intestinal obstruction)
• Seasonal bulbs (daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, bluebells)
• Foxgloves
• Yew trees (cuttings and dropped berries can be appealing)
• Rhododendron

If your dog eats any part of these plants, contact your vet immediately for advice.

If your dog is spending time outside with you, especially in warm weather, ensure they have access to clean water and shade. Always be aware of the risk of heat stroke. Even if your dog wants to lay in the sun all day, it may be necessary to take them inside to cool off. If they are exercising, such as playing games with you or another dog, extra care is needed, as most heatstroke cases occur during exercise. Old dogs, those with flat faces (brachycephalic breeds) and overweight dogs are most at risk.

The Fun Stuff

Ok, so we have thought about how to keep our dogs safe in the garden, but what about making it as fun and enriching as possible. We mentioned above about safe access to water, but here are some more ideas to make your garden as dog friendly as possible.

Make a digging pit. Lots of dogs love to dig, and many of us would rather it wasn’t in the middle of the lawn or between our prized plants. You could set a side area of empty flower bed, or if you’d like a cleaner option, use a sandpit filled with children’s play sand. Bury treasure in this area to encourage your dog to focus their digging there. If they regularly find treats and toys in that area, they are likely to keep coming back there, rather than look elsewhere.

Leave it wild. Let an area of grass grow long. It will attract wildlife and be a great natural snuffle mat too. Long grass is perfect for sniffing and rummaging around in. Your dog may also enjoy exploring areas with scented plants like mint and rosemary.

If your dog has allergies to pollens, you could consider using fake grass instead, but do check the temperature on very hot, sunny days, as artificial grass can get very hot.

Make the most of the space. Rather than having just a central lawn or patio and then designated planted areas, try to increase the areas your dog can access. You could add extra levels, perhaps a shady spot with a bed, ideal for overlooking the garden whilst snoozing. You could also include winding pathways between larger plants and shrubs for your dog to explore. Even a modest garden can be a jungle adventure when you’re small.