The yard is perhaps the happiest place on earth for dogs. It’s where they can exercise and play. Where they can release all the pent-up energy from being at your home for so long while you were at work. It’s where they can explore different smells. Where they can roam free and pee and poop without care. The thing though is that your outdoor space can also be dangerous. What’s more troubling is that most pet hazards don’t necessarily wave red flags. Precisely because they’re everyday stuff, you see and use. The key then in pet-proofing your yard is to be familiar with these unassuming dangers:
Plants
The blooms and greenery offer an added aesthetic value in the yard. Vegetables and fruits make it so easy for you to have food on your plate all year long. But these can be fatal to your dogs when ingested. For instance, the cute, colourful azaleas can irritate your dog’s mouth and trigger vomiting and diarrhea. The bright daffodils are also poisonous. When your pet eats any part of this plant, they might experience abdominal pain, seizures, and blood pressure changes. In terms of fruits, cherries are a no-no for dogs. The fruit’s pit, stem, and leaves contain cyanide, which can block the transport of oxygen to your pet’s blood cells. As a result, they might find it hard to breathe or exhibit red gums and dilated pupils. Mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes are worth avoiding, too. If you choose to plant these nonetheless, just make sure to place it in an enclosed space, say, a greenhouse, in which you can restrict pet’s access.
Fertilisers
These items may contain chemicals, like anti-pest additives, which are seriously dangerous for dogs. Other similar gardening essentials, like pesticides and insecticides, are a threat as well, as they may have metaldehyde and disulfoton, which are toxic substances. As much as you want to keep these away from children, you also do the same for your pets. Keep them in storage areas. Place them at the top shelves or cabinets. Lock up that space. If you don’t have a place for storage yet, consider getting plastic garden sheds. They’re more cost-friendly than wood and metal. Plus, they’re easy to assemble and move from one area to another. Set them up away from your garden’s play and entertainment areas so kids and pets won’t have any interest in going there.
Ponds
It’s not just your swimming pool that’s a ‘water danger’ to dogs. Although of course, you should invest in pool covers and fences for that. Small bodies of water, like ponds, can also be a threat to your pets, resulting in slips, trips, or drowns. So make sure to secure these, too. Use barriers, like gravel, plants, or fences. If you want a more visually-appealing fix though, consider placing decorative metal grating over the pond. These have different styles and designs so you can match it with the theme of your outdoor space. This will not just keep your pets off it, but also predators, like birds or raccoons, that could eat fish in your small lagoon.
Hidden Dangers in Your Yard
As much as your pet loves the yard so much, there are subtle dangers in it that you should be able to address. Pet-proof your outdoor space and make it a better, safer place for your dogs.