Creating a beautiful garden as a cat or dog owner might seem like a far-fetched vision. Why? Just like kids, pets are curious creatures who explore the world with their noses and mouths. An unsafe garden is the last thing you want for your beloved pet, as it can pose serious risks to them.

However, creating a pet-friendly garden for your pets doesn’t need to be complicated. Below, we look at ways to create a pet-friendly garden filled with cat and dog-friendly plants while still having aesthetically pleasing garden space.

Choose Pet-Safe Plants

Though it’s not something many of us necessarily think about at first, several plant species are off-limits for pets. Ingesting harmful and toxic plants can cause serious illness or even death. Many common garden favorites can be toxic if ingested. These include:

• Lilies
• Azaleas
• Begonias
• Daffodils
• Tulips
• Ivy
• Hyacinth
• Hydrangea
• Bergenia

Instead, opt for plants that are safe for dogs and cats like:

• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Sunflowers
• Roses
• Thyme
• Hibiscus
• African violets
• Daisies
• Petunias
• Sweet potato vines
• Snapdragons
• Zinnia
• Camellia
• Basil
• Marigold
• Coral bells
• Orchids

Create Designated Areas for Your Pets

A cat- and dog-friendly garden should be safe for your pets and provide plenty of stimulation and fun opportunities.

For dogs, a sandbox or a digging area can provide a designated area to satisfy their digging urges.

Got a dog that loves playing fetch? Install a wide open space where they can run and chase after their favorite ball.

Cats are all about scratching, climbing, and hiding. Install vertical climbing structures of various heights for your cats to climb, scratch, and jump along.

Use Secure Boundaries and Fencing

Dogs are relatively easier to train, so they can easily grasp which areas of the yard are off-limits.

Use short fences or borders with the same materials to show the parameters. Always ensure your boundaries don’t have any gaps for pets to squeeze through. Invest in higher fences with fewer gaps if you have an athletic dog.

Cats are more difficult to train, so a fence won’t keep them in place. Consider using an enclosed cat run to establish a pet-safe garden.

A raised garden bed can keep plants safe from dogs and cats and prevent pets from digging around.

Avoid Harmful Chemicals and Materials

The market isn’t necessarily flooded with pet-safe pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides, so it’s important to be cautious when using these chemicals. Ingesting harmful chemicals can result in serious illness in your pets and even death in severe cases.

As not using gardening chemicals isn’t always practical, opt for natural and organic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.

Always read the label when choosing any garden chemical and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Keep your pets away from the garden during and after chemical treatments.

When mulching, avoid using certain mulches like cocoa as it is toxic to your dog. Rather, opt for natural wood chips such as cedar or pine. These are not only pet-safe but also keep moisture in your garden beds.

Create a Safe, Shaded Space

Pets are also prone to sunburn and heatstroke, so shading them is essential. Use large shady trees, a pergola, or a cat or dog house for this. Housing them also gives them a perfect lounging spot to retreat during hotter months. Proper shading for your pets ensures they’re happy and feel safe.

It is equally as important to keep your pet hydrated, so have a source of clean water available.

Add Water Features for Fun and Safety

Adding a water feature to your garden can serve as a decorative feature and an enjoyment spot for your pets. Dogs, in particular, love playing in the water, and a pet-safe fountain or shallow pool can create a refreshing space for them. Ensure the pool is shallow and easy to access to prevent drowning or accidents.

Secure Your Pool

Swimming pools pose a huge risk to pets, as with kids. Not all pets are strong swimmers, and even the ones that are will struggle to climb out of a pool that isn’t sufficiently full.

Ensure you cover your pool with a proper net or secure cover whenever your pet is playing outside unsupervised. This helps prevent accidents.

Create Pathways

Establishing clear pet pathways can help train your pet to know the areas it should and shouldn't be in the garden.

Observe your pet to determine the route it usually likes to take in the garden. Then, make it into a pathway. Use paw-friendly materials such as flagstones or gravel—nothing sharp.

Achieve Beauty and Pet Safety in Your Garden

Being able to keep both a garden and a pet is a dream come true for many people. And your garden doesn’t need to be off-limits just because you have pets. By picking safe plants, using non-toxic products, and designing a space where your animals can safely explore, you can enjoy a garden space that suits pets and humans.

Looking to create your own pet-friendly garden? Visit Grange Co-op today for all the products you need to create a safe and thriving pet-friendly garden.