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Will you be sharing your new backyard landscape with your favorite furred creatures? Then you will need to look for a Bay Area landscape designer who has plenty of experience creating pet friendly landscapes. Here we go through several garden safety tips to keep your furry friends safe.
While health and safety are always a priority, there is also plenty of room for playtime, hydration, and easy pet waste clean-up to make sure everyone (and every paw) can enjoy your yard to its fullest.
Every list of garden safety tips will include appropriate fencing. Even the most obedient and well-behaved dog should be protected by high-quality fencing or a well-designed pet run that includes shade, shelter from harsh elements, and plenty of room to move around.
We recommend selecting fencing that complements your home’s architecture and/or immediate surroundings. While chain link is one of the most affordable options, it isn’t the most attractive. If you go with a chain link option, your landscape professionals can help you choose climbing plants or large shrubs that will cover the fencing and add plenty of texture, color, and interest.
Our landscape design pros will also help you select materials that enhance your pet’s comfort, such as smooth rocks, textiles that are less prone to absorbing heat, grass or soft ground cover, etc.
Every landscape is enhanced with fresh flowing water, whether that be from a fountain or a pond feature. Providing a continuously plumbed fresh water source means you don’t need to remember to fill up bowls. Just make sure the water features are designed to be pet safe as well!
If you wind up designing a deluxe dog area that separates your pets from your backyard water feature, we can install attractive, plumbed water features that provide fresh water for your dog no matter the time of day or season - and you don’t have to worry about it running dry.
It is important to let your landscape designer know if pets (or children!) will be using the entirety of the landscape. That way, we can make sure all of the plants, trees, and shrubs are considered safe (non-toxic). Pet owners assume animals have an instinct for what is poisonous and what is safe, and that is not always the case. The good news is that there are plenty of gorgeous and interesting indigenous, drought-tolerant plants that ensure you can have your pet safe landscape and make it sustainable, too.
When we design a pet friendly yard, we take a look at it from every angle, time of day, and season. That way, you can be assured pets have ample access to shade and shelter no matter how direct the sunlight maybe.
Even the winter months can yield overly warm temperatures when you combine direct sunlight and exposed concrete, asphalt, etc, and that can be miserable or downright dangerous for your pets. Planning for shade in all seasons is essential.
If you’re creating a separate shelter or pet run, or you plan to isolate pets to a single side or section of the yard, we recommend exploring the world of artificial turf. Dog owners are some of the biggest proponents of “fake grass” options because it is easy to clean and maintain - and water-conserving as well. Options include artificial grass with permeable underlayments that allow pet urine to drain through, and make pet waste easy to scoop up and hose off.
If surface heat is a concern, you can install reflective options that minimize heat absorption and, as we mentioned above, make sure to provide shade or dappled sunlight so the artificial turf never gets too hot.
If your dog isn’t an excessive barker, we can install “portholes”, windows, or other openings that are small enough to prevent escape but large enough for him/her to keep an eye on the outside world.
Humans aren’t the only ones who love to meander around creative pathways and garden contours. Adding paths to your landscape - or to their pet run - that is surrounded by plants and shrubs offers them a way to explore and “prowl around,” which keeps dogs from getting bored.
We can also install designated pet toys such as obstacle courses, large rocks or boulders to jump on, elevated bed options, cooling pools, tether tugs, and other well-beloved installations that keep your dog(s) busy while you're off at work or away for a day. The less bored a pet is, the less likely s/he is to dig or tear up your yard or furnishings.
Would you like to design a landscape - or a portion of your yard - that is dedicated to pet friendly contours, materials, water features, and entertainment? Contact us here at Bay Area Landscapes and let’s get started.