3 Ways to Keep Your Backyard Dog-Friendly

As a dog owner, you may have already had the thought: “Is my house dog-friendly enough?” There are many tweaks you can make to your house to make it a safe and comfortable place for your pup.

But have you done the same for your backyard?

There are a number of things you should do today to ensure that your dog is able to fully enjoy themselves when they let loose outside. After all, backyards are filled with objects that are fine for humans, but significant health and safety hazards for dogs.

To get started, below, we’ve listed three ways to keep your backyard dog-friendly.

 

1. Get rid of poisonous plants

When you think of poisonous plants – there are certain ones that always spring to mind, such as poison ivy. However, did you know that there are many typical backyard flowers and plants that you may not know are poisonous to dogs?

That’s why it’s so important to check before you buy any new plants that they aren’t dangerous to your dog. A quick Google browse should do the trick – although it’s also a good idea to check with store staff in the plant store just to be safe.

Here are some popular backyard plants which can be dangerous, or even deadly, to dogs:

• Aloe vera
• Crassula Ovata, or “Jade”
• Caladium, or “Elephant Ear”
• Dracaena Fragrans, or “Corn Plant”
• Asparagus Fern

So what about the plants already in your backyard? Although it’s unfortunate to have to uproot them – especially if you just planted them – in the interests of your dog’s health, you’ll have to do so ASAP. We recommend going through each and every plant and flower throughout your backyard (and in your house while you’re at it!), and double checking they’re dog-safe.

If you’re unsure of what counts as a dangerous plant, you can always ask a vet online or in person. After all, when it comes to backyard safety for your dog, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

 

2. Fence your pool

Does your house have a pool? If so, is it properly fenced? If it’s not, it’s critical that you install a fence before you let your dog run wild in your backyard. Even if your dog can swim, for peace of mind it’s best to take the precaution and install a fence around your pool.

Remember, dogs are naturally curious animals, so they may decide to hop into your pool when you’re not on watch. This, unfortunately, poses the risk of injury or drowning. As you can’t always have your eyes on your dog, installing a fence will help prevent your dog from entering the pool area unsupervised.

Some considerations you should make regarding a pool fence include:

• Making sure your dog can’t squeeze through any gaps
• Regularly checking for any holes around the pool area
• Not leaving any furniture around the fence which your dog could use to jump into the pool area
• Packing away pool chemicals out of reach from your dog

 

3. Tidy up outside

The objects you leave outside may make your backyard an unsafe place for your dog to play in. Left on the ground or within reach of your dog, dangerous objects like gardening tools or equipment may injure your dog if they come in contact with them.

While tidying up outside can seem like a hassle, it’s a small price to pay to help guarantee your dog’s safety outside. After you use a gardening tool, get in the habit of putting it away from your dog’s view and reach immediately after use. Large equipment like lawnmowers should be stored away in a shed or in your garage.

It’s not just sharp or electrical items that should be put away, however. Some of the greatest hazards for your dog in your backyard are the seemingly innocuous objects.  While to you, everyday objects like children’s toys may seem harmless when left outside, they could, in fact, pose a real danger to your dog.

Take, for example, marbles. Perhaps your child was playing with a marble set outside and left a couple lying around in the grass. They could pose a choking hazard if your dog mistakes them for food or a toy and digests them. This makes it pivotal to do a daily tidy up outside for any objects that could pose a danger to your dog. Vigilance, after all, is key to ensuring your backyard is kept dog-friendly. 

Ensure that your pet is protected in the yard and beyond. Get your free quote below and enjoy peace of mind your dog is covered, should any unfortunate events occur.