How to Create a Safe, Pet-Friendly Backyard

Not everyone thinks about it, but you should put just as much work into designing the exterior and landscape of your home as you do the interior. This is even more important for pet owners and animal lovers — a few intentional choices can transform your backyard into an outdoor oasis for all kinds of critters.

You love your dogs like family, so it’s only natural to want to give them the very best. With modern technology that allows you to watch and talk to your pets while you’re at work, apps that bring trusted dog walkers to your front porch and premium dog food, treats and toys, the petcare industry is expected to reach a whopping $202.6 billion by 2025.

So it should come as no surprise that there’s an entire sector dedicated to turning your backyard into your dog’s dream space. I’m talking about a new trend called “petscaping” or “dogscaping,” in which your landscaping choices focus on creating a safe, pet-friendly environment.

Here are some key components to a safe, pet-friendly backyard.

What Plants are Good for a Yard?

No matter what design you decide on, you’re going to be making use of plant life; even xeriscape designs typically involve some form of greenery. When planning a yard space specifically with animals in mind, it’s important to familiarize yourself with which plants are toxic versus safe and which plants have multiple uses.

According to Pet Poison Helpline, there are thousands of species of plants and flowers, but only a small percentage are truly dangerous and poisonous to your pet. It’s up to you as the pet owner to know which plants to avoid in your yard.

The helpline has compiled this list of the top 10 common toxic plants, and a complete list of plants and household items that are poisonous to pets can be found here. And save this number to your phone in case of accidental ingestion: 24/7 Animal Poison Control Center, (855) 764-7661. Whether you’re petscaping your own backyard or you’re shopping for a new house, be on the lookout for these toxic plants and remove them.

For example, the bright colors of flowering lilies make them quite popular, but they are highly toxic to cats. Not a fan of mosquitoes in the summertime? The citronella plant is a strong natural repellant but is poisonous to dogs. Consider instead lavender or mint — both are natural bug repellants and are far less dangerous for pets, and lavender adds lovely color to your yard. If you have cats, catnip works as a cat repellent that is also safe for them to ingest (in controlled, small doses!).

If you’re interested in planting flowering plants for the visual beauty they bring, look for ones that local wildlife will also appreciate. Consider planting a bee and butterfly garden that is inviting to pollinators. Bee balm, sunflower, sage, nasturtium, and borage are all beautiful flowering plants that bees love. Again, if you have pets, make sure any pollinator-friendly plants are also fine for your dog or cat. And don’t forget to check your local bird population and what plants they might enjoy, or consider setting up a bird feeder.

You can also think about feeding yourself and your family. Having a fruit-bearing tree is a great way to spruce up a yard while still being functional, as is growing common herbs such as rosemary, oregano, and basil. Pro tip: Grow these herbs on a windowsill for easier access and to keep them away from any curious animals who might get sick from eating too much.

Design Garden Areas for Humans and Animal Use

Ever look in your backyard after your dog has been out for a romp and say to yourself, “And this is why we can’t have nice things”? It’s a fact of life that dogs like to dig, chew, roll and otherwise explore and mark their territory. While training your dog (such as using the designated potty area) is a big part of keeping your yard in good shape, there are safe, natural deterrents that can also help protect your nicer garden areas.

• Raised beds, fences and other physical barriers
• Strategic planting of hardier plants on the perimeter and delicate plants in the interior
• Barriers or moats filled with prickly plant materials such as juniper, holly or pinecones
• Motion-activated sprinklers, lights or decoy predators
• Natural deterrents such as vinegar, hot sauce, coffee grounds or orange peels

Transform with Hardscaping

Of course, it’s not just plant life that makes up a backyard. Hardscaping (human-made features added to a landscape) is often part of creating the ideal outdoor space, and which hardscape options you use can affect your pets and the surrounding critters in a lot of ways.

Let’s think about the ground first. Have you ever stepped on concrete that’s been baking under the hot sun all day? Hurts, right? It’s the same for animals! Help protect their feet by building with softer materials, such as stone or mulch, for both your patio and any paths throughout your space. Having a natural or man-made shade above the patio will also help to keep it cool on hot summer days.

Regarding shade, make sure that you have sufficient coverage for pets during extreme weather. This can take the form of a “catio” or outdoor cathouse for your feline friends, or a doghouse for the pups. You can also think about bee and bug hotels to help promote local wildlife and a birdhouse to give feathered friends a safe place to land. While some of these creatures can get by during intense weather, be sure to never leave your cat or dog outside if you wouldn’t also be comfortable out in it; this means extreme heat and cold, as well as storms and other inclement weather.

Install a Dog Run

Dogs are natural patrollers. They love to run along the fence, find high ground to observe from and navigate obstacles. Have you ever seen a backyard where the dogs have literally worn a path through the grass that marks their favorite route?

If you don’t want your dog creating their own run, build an engaging one for them. Instead of grass, which will eventually become a muddy mess, choose hardscapes, stone, gravel or mulch. Make the run interesting; don’t put it in an out-of-the-way spot on the side of the house. Your dog wants to be in the mix and see what’s going on — both inside and outside of its yard.

Go a step further and bury tunnels, making the run go over and under the tunnels to add interest. Got a dog that loves to dig? Let them! At some point on the run, build a sand digging pit and encourage your pup to dig there instead of under your fence.

Just Add Water

Additionally, consider adding some sort of water feature to your yard. Not only are fountains and streams calming to be around, but they can also serve as a source of drinking water for critters. Of course, you’ll want separate access to water for any indoor pets, and if you do have an outdoor water feature, make sure your pets are protected from taking an unexpected swim.

You could isolate the feature on one side of your yard or add some rocks or other natural obstacles to prevent a curious pet from getting into it. If you decide to include a water feature, be sure that the water has a constantly moving source to discourage mosquitoes from laying eggs in the water. If you have a bird bath with standing water, be sure to change the water regularly to prevent mosquitoes and algae from laying claim.

Access to clean, fresh water is critical for your pup when outside — especially in the summer. While a bowl under your outdoor spigot will certainly do the trick (as long as it’s clean and refilled), you might also choose to do a permanent water feature with your dog in mind. Dogs love playing in water, so a running fountain, bubbling brook or small pool will delight them to no end.

Doggy pool? Yes! There is even an entire market for dog pools. From rigid designs that are basically the same as a kiddie pool to inflatable and even foldable, it is possible to find a dog pool that fits your needs and budget — and of course one that fits your pup!

Keep the Garden Clean and Safe

A pet-friendly backyard is a win-win all around. Your dog can be a part of the action and maybe even get some special features all their own. And you can rest easy knowing your yard is as safe and comfortable for your pet as possible.

Use Nontoxic Landscaping Chemicals

If you do nothing else to create a pet-friendly backyard, at least make sure the chemicals you or your landscaping company use are safe and nontoxic for your pets. While advances in the pesticide, herbicide and insecticide industries have been made to create safer alternatives, it’s up to pet owners to carefully research lawn chemicals and decide if the benefit outweighs the risk. How important is the perfect green lawn to you? Can you settle for a mediocre lawn or less turf and more natural and hardscaped areas if it means keeping your dog safe? These are important questions to ask yourself.

Designate a Potty Spot

Dog urine kills grass. The exception is clover (and there’s plenty of research to show why clover lawns are beneficial). But if a clover lawn doesn’t appeal to you, you need to figure out a way to teach Fido to use a designated potty spot.

Wooded or mulched spots, crushed gravel or small pebbled areas are ideal as they will absorb urine and keep it away from plants. Some homeowners even opt for artificial turf in potty areas that instantly drains, is easy to clean with a hose and inhibits bacteria.

No matter what you decide, the key is training your pups to use the dedicated space. Amy Bender from The Spruce Pets says that the best way to keep your dog from going outside of the area you choose is to keep it on a leash. “Take your dog on a leash to the spot you want to use and say the cue word. Keep the dog in that spot until it goes, then offer a reward.” If they go potty in another part of the yard, Bender says to immediately stop playtime and bring the pup indoors. “Your dog will quickly learn that relieving itself in the right spot means it gets to play while going anywhere else brings playtime to an end.”

Gates

Finally, don’t forget about fencing and a gate. This is important for anyone with pets, as it will keep them from becoming escape artists, but it’s equally important to keep some other critters out of your space. Anything that may be a predator to you or your pets will, at the bare minimum, have to pause at a fence; in fact, most will see the deterrent as enough reason to keep moving. Regularly check your fence line for gaps in the wood or loose planks, and be sure that your gate has a proper locking mechanism. Use preventatives that meet your specific needs: If family members routinely forget to shut the gate, perhaps put it on a self-closing system. Or if you have a dog that enjoys digging, perhaps line the bottom of your fence with chicken wire to keep your dog safe.

The Ultimate Pet-Friendly Yard

One of the best benefits of having a yard is getting to engage one-on-one with nature. Learn about the world around you, support the local wildlife and keep your family (including pets!) safe with these practical tips and gear so you can enjoy your new yard without concern. Feeling inspired to find your new home so you can create the ideal nature getaway? Head over to NewHomeSource for local listings, resources, and plenty of inspiration!