Whether you live alongside animal friends or they are visiting you (or if you rent out a property with a garden), it’s important to follow some simple swaps, to keep pets safe. From safe landscaping advice to nontoxic plants, you can then all enjoy lounging in the backyard!
Neutering male pets often results in less chance of escaping to roam the streets, looking for mates (and less chance of being involved in road accidents or fights).
Avoid Toxic Plants Near Pets
- Many plants are unsafe near animal friends (even brushing a tail against lilies or sago palm can harm). All bulbs (daffodils, crocuses, tulips, poppies) are toxic to pets (as are rhododendrons to rabbits).
- Avoid plants rich in essential oils (lavender, pine). Cats cannot break these down in their livers (avoid aromatherapy or scented cleaning/laundry products near pets).
- Don’t burn citronella candles near pets. Instead, Waspinator is a brown paper bag that looks like a nest to territorial wasps.
Blue Cross has good tips on pet-friendly gardens. Campaigners want warnings on seed packs (and in gardening books) to alert of dangers. Learn about:
- Toxic Plants (dogs)
- Toxic Plants (cats)
- Toxic Plants (rabbits)
- Toxic Plants/Trees (horses)
- Toxic Houseplants
- Toxic Christmas Plants (holly, mistletoe, ivy, poinsettias)
Signs of plant toxicity in pets include vomiting, drooling and seizures. If concerned, seek immediate vet help. Animal Poison Helpline runs a 24-hour helpline (for any type of toxin concern). Vets can also use this, alongside VPIS Global.
A Fab Fun Book on Dog Safety
For Dog’s Sake is a fantastic little book packed with life-saving tips for dogs on toxic plants and toxic foods to avoid, lots of other advice and a simple illustrated first aid section.
Sadly the book is out-of-print in the UK, but you can buy used copies online. Or order direct from Amy at her USA site (due to expensive shipping, she includes a lovely free gift with each order).
Avoid Unsafe Garden Mulch
There is no ‘safe mulch’ in gardens, so supervise pets in gardens. Also keep fresh compost away from pets, as it contains mould:
- Cocoa mulch contains the same toxin as chocolate
- Pine mulch can puncture
- Rubber mulch can choke
- Straw mulch is only digestible by ruminants
Switch to Organic Gardening
- Have a garden/shed clear-out, and securely wrap all garden chemicals and pesticides, and bin securely or take to toxic waste at the tip. This is safer for pets, children and wildlife (and you!)
- Organic gardening is not just safer, but more intelligent as it works with nature. If you garden organically, you’ll naturally attract creatures as ‘natural pest control’ without chemicals. Choose humane non-toxic slug/snail deterrents.
- Keep sharp tools out of reach, and use garden shears over strimmers (lethal to wildlife, and not safe near pets or children).
- If your shed contains other chemicals, keep these safely locked away. Use a funnel to change change oil & antifreeze (or ideally let your mechanic do it, in an enclosed space).
- It’s not ‘safe’ but propylene glycol (think P for protection) is a less dangerous than ethylene glycol (some brands now add a bitter agent, to stop the sweet liquid being licked). For spills, absorb with sand or kitty litter, then scoop and bin (don’t mop).
Safe Pet-Friendly Landscaping
- Ideally, choose solid paving over gravel (which can trap in claws). Paving that’s too hot for your hands, is too hot for paws.
- Avoid artificial grass (this heats up quicker than real grass). Organic lawns are safer (it’s proven that lawn chemicals can cause bladder cancer in pets, even from neighbouring gardens).
- If painting fences or garden furniture, swap creosote (which is not safe near pets, wildlife or plants) for non-toxic wood stain. Also check fence posts or balconies, that could snag.
- Mend fence gaps and holes (for ‘hedgehog highways’ that let nocturnal hogs wander between gardens at night), you can uncover the gaps at night, and keep them covered during the day.
Prevent Common Garden Hazards
- All pets can get heatstroke, especially older/long-haired breeds. Use wooden hutches/kennels (not tin). Choose pet-safe sunscreens for light-skinned dogs/cats (wash zinc/titanium sunscreens off your own skin, before letting pets lick you!)
- Use quality water butts with pet/child locks (over open barrels of water, which are drowning hazards). Ensure ponds have sloping sides. Cover swimming pools when not in use (or fence off).
- It’s a myth that cats always ‘right themselves’ if they fall. If your cat enjoys window-watching above ground floor, ‘flat cats‘ allow them to enjoy fresh air, without falling out of windows. If concerned about road safety, ‘indoor cats’ may like a catio (a large enclosed space for cats).
- After walks in long grass, check ears and paws for embedded grass seeds and ticks. After snowy walks, rinse paws with warm water (to remove rock salt). Also beware of foxtail grass (this can migrate to the brain, and be fatal).
Collar Safety and Identification
It’s UK law for cats over 20 weeks to be microchipped, so vets can find guardians if lost (offered at reduced rates for low incomes). If you use them, Kitty Collars (over 6 months only) embroider contact and medical info (and break away if snagged).
Collar strangulation is a common issue, when dogs collars get entangled up while playing. Quick-release dog collars (buy a quality brand) remain secure on walks (by linking the lead through the D-rings), but break off in emergencies.
Keep Cats Away from Birds & Wildlife
- Keep cats indoors at dawn and dusk (when birds are likely feeding) and avoid wooden bird feeders (cats can claw up them).
- Instead, get involved in local community efforts to provide natural food and habitats for birds like hedgerows (berries!) and tree-planting efforts in the wild (to provide natural roosts).
- Also avoid facing indoor foliage towards outdoor gardens, as this can confuse birds. Read more on how to prevent bird strike.
Pick Up the Poop!
- Animal poop can harm if left on the lawn, even when it dries. It contains a toxin that can even cause blindness to pets, children and wildlife. So don’t wait for a ‘big poo pick-up’ once a week, take care of it immediately, and bin in a biodegradable poop bag.
- Flushing pet pee immediately with water, usually should stop brown patches. Be watchful especially on areas of lawn near female dogs, as they tend to always pee in the same place!
Keep Pets Away from Adders
Adders (England’s only venomous snake) can bite dogs, if disturbed. Dog-Friendly Cornwall has tips on when to avoid walking (‘safe hours’ were previously before 9am and after 7pm). But rising temperatures means this may need adapting, to avoid basking snakes.
If you think an adder has bitten your dog, call a vet immediately (read more on how to avoid & treat adder bites).
