Creating a safe garden for pets, enables animal friends to enjoy the garden, as much as you. Here is useful information and resources, so all creatures can enjoy the garden.
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, flowers and trees are unsafe near animal friends (just brushing a tail against indoor plants like lilies or sago palm can harm). Also avoid facing indoor foliage to face outdoor gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
Common toxic plants to pets are all bulbs (including lilies, daffodils, crocuses, tulips and poppies). Rhododendrons are toxic to rabbits. Also avoid plants rich in essential oils (lavender, pine) as cats especially cannot break oils down in their lives. For the same reason, homes with pets should use unscented cleaners and dishwash liquid. Don’t burn citronella candles near pets (deter wasps with Waspinator (a brown paper bag that looks like a nest to territorial wasps).
Blue Cross has ips on pet-friendly gardens. Campaigners want warnings on seed packs (and in gardening books) to alert of dangers. Learn about:
- Plants poisonous to dogs
- Plants poisonous to cats
- Plants poisonous to rabbits
- Plants (& trees) poisonous to horses
- Indoor plants to avoid
- Toxic Christmas plants (holly, mistletoe, ivy, poinsettias)
Signs of plant toxicity in pets include vomiting, drooling and seizures. Seek immediate vet help if concerned. Animal Poison Helpline runs a 24-hour helpline (for all toxin). Vets can use this and VPIS Global.
Avoid Unsafe Garden Mulch
Cocoa mulch has the same toxin as chocolate. There is no ‘pet-friendly mulch’ (pine can puncture, rubber can choke). If you use wood chip mulch, don’t leave pets unsupervised. Straw mulch is only digestible by ruminants, so pets will be sick, if they eat it. Keep fresh compost away from pets, as it contains mould.
Garden Organically
Organic gardening methods are safer (securely wrap and take all chemicals and pesticides to the tip). If you garden with nature, birds and mammals will take care of unwelcome visitors. Use safe humane alternatives to deter slugs and snails. Keep sharp tools out of reach.
Pick Up the Poop!
Pick up poop immediately and bin, as it can cause a disease that can cause blindness in children, pets and wildlife. Just flushing dog pee (immediately) on the garden should stop brown patches.
Keep Chemicals Locked Away
Ideally let your mechanic change oil & antifreeze (or use funnels in enclosed spaces). It’s not ‘safe’ but proplyene glycol antifreeze is a little less dangerous than ethylene glycol. Absorb spills with sand or kitty litter (don’t mop, this will spread the spill). If not removing chemicals from your home, at least lock them away.
Safe Pet-Friendly Landscaping
Use solid paving over gravel (can trap in claws). Paving that’s too hot for your hands is too hot for paws. Avoid artificial grass, which heats quicker than real grass. Organic lawns are safer (chemicals can cause bladder cancer in pets, even from neighbouring gardens). Also beware of foxtail grass (this can migrate to the brain and be fatal).
Fix holes and gaps in fences, and paint with non-toxic wood stain over creosote (also protects wildlife and plants). For ‘hedgehog highways’, uncover gaps at night (hedgehogs are nocturnal) and keep covered during day. Also check for fence posts or balconies, that could snag.
Provide Shady Areas (even for sun-loving cats)
All pets can get heatstroke, especially older and long-haired breeds. Use wooden hutches/kennels (not tin, that can over-heat). If using sunscreens for light-skinned dogs and cats, choose pet-safe versions (wash zinc/titanium sunscreens from your own skin, before letting pets lick you!)
Preventing Drowning Hazards
Use quality water butts with pet/child locks over open barrels of water (which attract mosquitoes). Ensure ponds have sloping sides and cover swimming pools when not in use (or fence off).
Ensure ‘Garden View’ Windows are Safe
It’s a myth that cats always ‘right themselves’ if they fall. If your cat enjoys window-watching above ground floor, you can buy screens for ‘flat cats’ to 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), several good brands are sold online.
General Garden Safety Tips for Pets
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 people on low incomes by Cats Protection). If you use them, Kitty Collars (over 6 months only) embroider contact info, and break away if snagged.
Read this book to keep your dog safe for info on collar safety and quick-release dog collars (secure on walks by linking lead through D-rings, they break off, if dogs entangle).
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 and other creatures like hedgerows (full of berries) and tree-planting efforts in the wild (to provide natural roosts for bats).
‘Pet Safety Checks’ After Walks in Grass or Snow
After walks, check ears and paws for embedded grass seeds and ticks. After snowy walks, rinse paws with warm water (to remove rock salt).
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 vet immediately (read more on how to avoid & treat adder bites).
