Having a pet has many benefits, including making your home feel more comfortable and secure. To repay your four-legged pals for all the love and protection they provide, you want to ensure the property is pet-friendly. Here are five landscaping tips you and your pet will appreciate. 

5 Landscaping Ideas for Pet Owners 

1. Create a Play Zone

Flower beds and sculptural elements are lovely to look at, but they’re not the most animal-friendly features. Leave some room for a dedicated play area where your dog can run, exercise, and have fun. A landscaping company can even make pathways and courses for your pet to enjoy.

2. Install a Water Feature

Dogs need to stay hydrated, especially in the warmer months. Install a water feature that will add beauty to the yard while providing a spot for your pet to grab a drink. It may be a waterfall, pond, or fountain with fresh water. Just make sure it is shallow and low enough your pet can get out of it easily if they fall or jump in.

3. Hardscape Strategically

Use hardscaping elements, like stonework, pavers, and edging to keep the landscape organized and polished. For instance, you might install stone borders around dirt walkways or build a stone wall instead of a fence to discourage digging. You may also get a patio specifically for your pet to lounge on. These features can help the yard and garden hold up against digging, urination, and foot traffic. 

4. Provide Shade

Dogs and people need a shady spot to escape the sun. Install a pergola, umbrella, or awning where you and your pets can convene and get out of the heat. A professional landscaping company can help you devise a beautiful space that complements the landscape, with shade-friendly plants and ample room for entertaining and relaxing.

5. Choose the Right Plants

Some plants are poisonous to animals when ingested. These include castor bean, hellebore, lilies, crocus, and tulips, narcissus, yew, wild mushrooms, English ivy, and foxtail grass. Other plants are attractive for dogs to pee on to mark their territory. You can reduce this habit by planting urine-resistant species such as feather reed grass, Mexican sage, bears breech, and Japanese spindle trees. Steer clear of thorny varieties of plants that can nick your pets. If you want to plant these, put them on a raised garden so they are above your pet’s eye level, where they could cause injury. 

If you need help creating a pet-friendly property, turn to Buzz Landscaping Inc. in Conway, AR. This landscaping company has served Faulkner County for over 25 years, providing a range of services including lawn maintenance, mulch and sod, water features, and sprinkler systems. Call (501) 730-4515 to speak with a friendly team member or visit the website to learn more about all they do.