dog

Pet-friendly garden ideas

Providing a fun, relaxing, safe garden environment for your pet and the rest of your family is essential to a happy coexistence. Take a look at our smart pet-friendly garden ideas to create an enjoyable space for all members of your household.

Garden fence

Protect your pet with a secure fence

Keep your property fence well maintained to provide a secure environment for your pet, protecting them from getting lost and keeping them away from potentially dangerous roads. Ensure the fence is high enough to prevent your dog from jumping over it. For small dogs, experts recommend at least a 1.2m high fence and for larger breeds 1.5m to 1.8m.

Cat sitting in the garden

Feline freedom

Obviously, fences don’t pose much of a challenge for most cats so installing a cat run will allow your cat to get outside for some sun safely while protecting it and the native animals and birds.

Pet peek-a-boo

Pet fence windows provide a safe way for your pet to see what’s going on outside the fence. They can also help to minimise boredom, keeping your dog busy watching the comings and goings in the street while reducing the likelihood of them digging under the fence.

Dog with ball

Paw patrol

Dogs love to patrol the perimeter of the yard so avoid planting directly along the fence line. This allows a margin for your dog to easily walk behind the garden without getting in trouble for trampling your shrubs every day.

Snooze in the cool shade

Dogs enjoy nothing better than a shady spot to sleep and cool off. A patch of dirt under the shade of a tree or bush which they can call their own is a great place to chill on hot summer days.

Boston Fern
Pet friendly Boston Fern

Keep an eye on your furry friend 24/7

Ever find yourself wondering how your dog or cat is coping when you’re out of the house? A home CCTV camera system can help provide peace of mind. You’ll always know what’s going on in the garden and with a self-monitored system, you can keep an eye on your pet from where ever you are at any time of the day or night via your smartphone.

Speak to our security camera specialist about installing a CCTV camera system to ensure your pet is safe and sound, and not getting up to mischief.

Pet-friendly plants and garden design

Maintaining a nice garden and having a dog may seem like an insurmountable challenge some days, especially when they are at the puppy stage and seem to chew or dig everything in sight. However, there are ways to ensure you can create a place both you and your pet can enjoy.

Choosing more established, hardy plants rather than seedlings when planting your garden will give the plants a better chance of survival with an energetic pooch.

Designing the backyard with raised garden beds with edging can also help keep your dog off the plants and on the lawn.

Bromeliad
Pet friendly Bromeliad

A comprehensive list of toxic, non-toxic, and plants that should be avoided if you have pets can be found on the ASPCA website here – aspca.org

Forsythia Flower
Pet safe Forsythia

Better choices of plants that are safe for homes with pets include:

  • Boston fern
  • Spider plant
  • Bromeliad
  • African Violet
  • Peperomia
  • Forsythia
  • Echinacea

References:

https://www.rspcaqld.org.au/blog/pet-care/Make-your-garden-a-dog-safe-space

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants