When you’re relaxing on a lounge chair on your patio, deck, or lawn, it’s likely your pet isn’t far behind. At the same time, it’s important to keep in mind the type of environment your backyard provides for your pets and to be cautious about the plants, decorations, and other items they have access to.

Pet-friendly plants

There are a number of plants that can be harmful to pets. Keep your yard safe for your pet by planting only pet-friendly items in your garden, and use only pet-safe weed killers.

Try the following:

• Ferns
• Herbs
• Palms
• Bamboo, depending on your backyard climate, for a unique touch!

A place of their own

As much as pets like to be with their owners, they also appreciate their own space. Create a special place just for your pet, be it a doghouse, a patch of soft mulch, or a fenced-in area that can serve as a playground.

Try the following:

• A dog house with shade and room for fido to nap while you spend time outside.
• A catwalk, which you can fortify to connect to a window to keep your cat enclosed.
• A leash trolley, so your pet can roam freely without you needing to hold their paws. Ensure the trolley is the appropriate length and strength for your size yard and pet’s weight.

Digging deterents

Many pets like to dig in gardens and flower beds. Although fences can help deter this behavior, some pets will also try to dig around fences. To pet proof your fence, try making sure the bottom is at least 1-2 feet below the surface.

Try the following:

• If you have plants you want untouched, place them in an elevated bed or hang them.
• Fill a sandbox with dirt and soil that your pet can play in, so they have a dedicated, safe digging area.
• Spray the perimeter of the fence often with pet-safe and plant-safe deterrent that will smell unappetizing and keep them from wanting to put their paws where they shouldn’t.

Hydration station

Make sure your pet has access to adequate food and water while enjoying the outdoors. Create a feeding station, and consider setting up a shallow baby pool for cooling off. Another great idea: make some pet-friendly frozen treats for hotter days.

Try the following:

• This top-rated pet wading pool from Amazon!
• This hose-connected pet water drinking fountain
• This pet sprinkler, so they can join in on the water play, too.

Safety checks

Ultimately, it’s up to you to keep your pet safe while they spend time in the yard. Walk the perimeter every so often to check for weak spots in the fence, newly grown weeds that could be harmful if consumed, and anything else that might cause injury.