If you are lucky enough to have a garden, you certainly want your dog to enjoy it too. But before you let your pup romp around, you’ll want to make sure the space is safe for them. How do you know what plants are safe and which are potentially dangerous for your pup? How high should your fence be? What other hazards are there to watch out for?
Let's take a look at six clear, easy-to-follow tips for making your garden a dog-friendly space.
1. Avoid toxic plants
There are many common garden plants that are toxic to dogs if ingested. They include (but aren't limited to):
- Aconitum (wolf's bane)
- Chrysanthemum
- Crocus
- Daffodil
- Delphinium
- Foxglove
- Hyacinth
- Oleander
- Pieris (lily of the valley bush)
- Sago palm
- Tulip
- Vinca (periwinkle)
- Wisteria
The ASPCA website offers a complete list of plants toxic to dogs. Before planting a new flower or vegetable that your dog will have access to, research to make sure it's safe.
Plants that are dog safe
You still have a wide variety of dog-safe plants to choose from! Some popular non-toxic plants include:
- Camellia
- Marigold
- Fuchsia
- Magnolia bush
- Creeping thyme
- Sunflower
- Rosemary
- Snapdragon
2. Choose your chemicals wisely
You may have seen your dog eating grass. This is a common behavior, and munching on plain grass is not likely to harm your dog. However, issues can arise if your dog is eating grass that has been chemically treated.
One herbicide to watch out for is glyphosate, a weed-killer commonly marketed as RoundUp. Signs of glyphosate toxicity include lethargy, hypersalivation, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If your dog is experiencing any symptoms of poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately.
3. Secure the boundaries
If you plan on letting your dog run off-leash, you should make sure that your yard is securely fenced. And be picky about what height and material you spring for—a three-foot-tall white picket fence may look nice but will be next to useless for keeping most dogs secure. Many dogs are surprisingly strong jumpers and will need a fence of at least six feet to ensure they don’t escape over the top.
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