Planting a Pet-Friendly Garden

Warmer weather is on the way! With winter in the rear-view mirror, many of us are heading outside to tend to our lawns and gardens, and soak up some sunshine. Our furry friends will also be happy to run and play outside again after spending so much time indoors. Pets and gardens are both wonderful things, but they don’t always mix well. Therefore, you may need to take some precautions to keep both your furbaby and your garden safe. Below, a Fort Collins, CO vet offers advice on planting pet-friendly gardens.

There are a few things you can do to keep your canine buddy from trampling your flower and vegetable beds. One option is to section off your garden by creating a barrier around it. You can use chicken wire, a low fence, or a stone, brick, or log wall. Or, distract Fido by giving him his own sandbox to play and bury toys in. Your four-legged pirate may have so much fun in his doggy play zone that he ignores the garden.

The best way to keep Fluffy out of your garden is to keep her inside. While your kitty may love rolling around in your yard, she’ll be both safer and healthier living indoors, where she isn’t exposed to cars, predators, and other hazards. That said, if your furball does have outdoor access, try spritzing your plants with cayenne pepper to keep her out of your plant beds.

Many of our favorite plants, such as daisies, lilies, daffodils, holly, and several ferns, are extremely toxic to our furry friends. Be sure to choose only plants that are safe for your beloved pet. You can find a complete list of toxic and non-toxic plants on the ASPCA website.

Did you know that cocoa mulch is toxic to pets? Mulch is also dangerous because it poses a choking risk to dogs. Additionally, it can harbor fleas, ticks, and even snakes. And, as if that weren’t enough, your pet could also get painful splinters in their paws by walking on it. Use something else instead. Pea gravel, flat stones, or tiles are good options for paths.

Do you have any concerns about your pet’s health or care? We can help! Contact us, your Fort Collins, CO animal clinic, anytime.