Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
Life

Five Pet-Friendly Tips for the Family Yard

Darpan News Desk, 22 May, 2019 11:12 PM

    Planted and cared for properly, the family yard can offer an outdoor living room for family, children and pets. It can also support biodiversity, foster health benefits for humans and pets, and benefit the environment.

    Here are TurfMutt’s top five tips for ensuring the family yard is a place everyone can enjoy year-round.

    Consider your dog’s needs
    Each dog – senior, puppy, small, big, active breed or not-so-much – has different needs. Is your dog a water hound? Maybe you should include a splash pool or water fountain. Got a digger? A sand pit might work well to keep your dog entertained – and the mess contained. Does your dog love to run the perimeter of your yard? Design your yard with his path in mind. Does she have dog friends next door? Maybe an eye-level hole in the fence would keep her from barking. Jot down everything your dog needs from your family yard, then you map out your landscaping accordingly.

    Keep your pet safe & sound
    One of the most important pet features in your family yard is a secure fence – whether it’s made of wood, metal, vinyl or concrete. Inspect and fix your fence – or install one – so you can rest easy knowing your dog is safely within the boundary of your yard.

    Include turfgrass
    Turfgrass is safe – unlike concrete, asphalt or hard ground – and offers your pet a soft, cool spot to lie down, even during the hottest conditions. It also creates a comfortable backyard playground and provides a place to take care of business. There are many types of turfgrass that can handle “ruff-housing” from dogs and kids alike. Check your climate zone to make sure you’re selecting an appropriate grass species for where you live. (Another bonus benefit is grass is very good at capturing and filtering rainwater.)

    Select the right plants
    You’ll want to have a balance of grass, flower plants, trees and shrubs in your family yard. Including this mix of species will not only be beautiful, it will also help support biodiversity. Remember, nature starts in your own backyard! Keeping your climate zone in mind, select appropriate landscaping for the areas you’ve identified in your yard. Around walking paths, for instance, you’ll want to include sturdy, yet soft foliage that can stand up to puppy and people traffic without scratching. Use elevated boxes and patio planters for more delicate flowering plants.

    Avoid toxic plants
    One last word of important advice – there are some plants and shrubs that are poisonous to dogs. You’ll want to avoid these in your outdoor living room entirely. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a list of toxic plants that you should refer to when shopping for your family yard.

     

    MORE Life ARTICLES

    How To Make The Most Out Of High School?

    Being engaged to sports has instilled a plethora of skills in me such as, hard work, resilience, and being a team player. 

    How To Make The Most Out Of High School?

    Cows Can Be Pessimistic And It Affects Their Ability To Cope With Stress: Study

    VANCOUVER — New research from the University of British Columbia suggests dairy cows show personality traits like pessimism and optimism from a young age and their inherent outlook can predict their ability to cope with stress.

    Cows Can Be Pessimistic And It Affects Their Ability To Cope With Stress: Study

    The Beauty of Giving up

    Goals are not set in stone, but should be periodically revisited to see if they make sense given changing circumstances and priorities.

    The Beauty of Giving up

    3 Strategies to Survive the Holiday Food Slump

    Find a happy medium between maintaining a strict diet and a food free-for-all to ensure your holiday health vision becomes a reality

    3 Strategies to Survive the Holiday Food Slump

    No Age Requirement

     The most rewarding privilege in my life, however, was not bound by an age requirement.

    No Age Requirement

    Top 6 X-MAS Light Festivals You Can't Miss

     If you’re ready for some festive, holiday cheer, grab your family, your friends, and head out to one (or more) of these dazzling light displays. 

    Top 6 X-MAS Light Festivals You Can't Miss