How To Create A Dog Friendly Garden

If you’re lucky enough to share your abode with a furry four legged companion, learning how to create a safe and engaging dog friendly garden is a must. 

As a proud parent of a new canine companion, it’s your responsibility to do your best to keep them amused, and to ultimately keep them safe. Apart from the obvious ones like feeding them and providing shelter, another non-negotiable if your home has a backyard is to ensure you have a dog friendly garden. 

Most pets are outdoor creatures by nature, so it makes sense that they often enjoy spending time in your backyard or garden as much as you do. While dogs will happily lie in the shade with you while you potter around doing the weeding, others have a knack for getting into trouble and digging up things that they shouldn’t.

While the most obvious and easiest way to create a dog friendly garden is to remove any potential hazards, other additions that your furry friend will be sure to appreciate might just surprise you. 

Covering The Basics Of A Dog Friendly Garden 

Today, there are almost 29 million pets in Australia – more than the estimated human population of 25 million. If 61% of Australians are pet owners, it’s surprising to learn just how many dangers await them in our backyards and gardens.

In order to create a dog friendly garden, homeowners need to remove some of the common hazards as well as providing a safe area full of enrichment as a means to keep them amused and out of trouble. 

Consider Less Turf – It’s in the very nature of your dog to have a penchant for digging, which unfortunately can be disastrous for backyards that have extensive lawns or turf. Instead, consider cutting down on this luxury and opt for a timber deck, or even artificial grass that removes the temptation. 

Plant Strategically – There are a number of poisonous or toxic plants out there that has the potential to inflict long lasting damage on your dog, so pet owners should take care to avoid additions like peace lilies, azaleas, tulips and even daffodils if they share their home with a four legged inhabitant. In addition, be sure to plant varieties that don’t attract slugs or snails. 

Seal Your Compost Bin – Compost is often full of mouldy food and garden waste, which can produce dangerous mycotoxins that are highly dangerous to dogs. Dog owners should always keep compost out of reach and well sealed, and seek urgent veterinary advice if they suspect their dog has raided the compost bin.

Create Pathways – Much like people, dogs are fond of following a path to scoot around a garden instead of traipsing through shrubs or bushes. While a path encourages them to stay within certain boundaries, be sure to stick to pavers over gravel, which can stimulate the need to dig and potentially burn small feet. 

Cut Back On Chemicals – Homeowners should be very careful when using chemical based pest control, fertilisers or herbicides, as these can have tragic results for your dog in the event that they accidentally ingest it. Thankfully, there are plenty of natural alternatives now on the market when it comes to pet friendly weed killers and plant food products. 

Ultimately, the type of products that you bring into your home can have enormous ramifications, particularly if you share the space with children or pets. As such, adopting naturally derived products instead of chemical based ones is always a good idea to ensure peace of mind – but where do you find them?

Where To Find A Dog Friendly Weed Killer

Bioweed is an organic, non selective weed killer that works fast on contact with the weed, in order to rapidly desiccate and burn even the most stubborn of plants. It can be used anywhere around the house including garden beds, veggie patches, paths and driveways, and is safe to use around children, animals and even native wildlife. 

The best part? Bioweed is the brainchild of well established agricultural leaders Greenpro, and is backed by over twenty years of research and development. Owned and manufactured in Australia, the primary ingredient of Bioweed is actually sustainably sourced pine oil, and is even approved by NASAA, ACO and APVMA for use around organic farms and food production. 

If you’re on the hunt for a pet friendly weed killer, or simply want to know more about eliminating weeds safely – check out other tips and tricks in our online advice forum, or contact us for any further queries.