Pet-Friendly Backyard Ideas for Happy, Safe Pets

Get some pet-friendly backyard ideas to ensure your property is ready for your new arrival.

Adding a furry companion to your home is such an exciting event. But have you thought about how you’re gonna make your property, especially your backyard, ready for them? Since they’ll likely spend the majority of their time there when the weather’s nice, having it set up in advance will save you a lot of headaches down the line.

A lot of homeowners forget that having a pet means extra work when it comes to keeping the garden looking nice. Don’t worry, though; it’s not nearly as bad as it sounds as long as your space has been designed with your pet in mind. Need some ideas? Here are six of our favorite ways to do just that.

Setting up an Outdoor Kennel

You can’t just let your little doggo roam free in the garden, or they'll end up absolutely destroying the place. But that doesn’t mean they have to be stuck inside your home all day. Instead, you can set up a nice, roomy outdoor kennel so they can get some fresh air and have a bit of space to run around whenever they want.

Generally speaking, bigger is better. Something like an 8x12 kennel is perfect. Models like these typically come with a small outdoor area connected by a flap, sturdy metal fencing to keep them safe, and an indoor section. This way, they always have their own cozy little home to go to, which minimizes the time they spend moving around as they please without your supervision.

Purchase Outdoor Furniture Covers

What’s the point of dropping a bunch of cash on nice outdoor furniture if your hungry pet is just going to ruin it the minute they get outside? Having some comfy sofas sure will add some visual flair to the space, but instead of letting your furry friends slobber all over them, just grab some furniture covers.

Furniture covers are a simple, pet-friendly hack that's pretty easy to implement. You can find them at most pet or homeware stores. Oftentimes, they’re made with tough, durable materials, so even if your pet starts nibbling, you'll be able to rest easy knowing your furniture’s safe. Just make sure the covers you buy are water-resistant, too. The last thing you want is them getting all muddy when your four-legged pal jumps up after playing outside.

Create Stone Trails

A nicely cut patch of grass looks beautiful in just about every garden, but sadly, it’s easy for an animal to rip up. Rather than spending every other week cleaning up the mess, an excellent alternative is to lay down some stone or gravel. At least this means your pets can roam around as they please without causing too much trouble.

Fortunately, stone and gravel need little upkeep. Whenever your fur baby starts digging, they won’t get anywhere because the ground will be too tough. Also, if they drop a surprise, it’s easier to clean on stone than on grass, which soaks it in and holds the odor.

Build a Fence

Fencing is a great way to stop your little buddy from escaping and causing chaos next door. You know how pets are; one blink, and they’re off running riot in the neighbor’s yard like they own the place. But once the barrier is in place, breaking out will be impossible, no matter how determined they are.

Depending on your garden size, fencing can cost from $500 on the low end, but if you go big, it could easily top $10,000. Solid board fencing is your best bet for keeping them in, as it doesn’t have any gaps for sneaky escapes. Avoid picket fencing at all costs; it might have an attractive look to it, but there are often too many gaps.

Install a Sandbox So They Can Dig Away

Let’s be real: animals, especially dogs, love to dig. Instead of letting them burn off all that energy wherever they want (and wreck your yard), just set up a sandbox. That way, they get their own spot to dig freely without causing too much damage.

Building a sandbox is straightforward. Mark out a square with some wood, dig down about 8 to 12 inches, then fill it with sand. Be sure to zone it off well, or you’ll end up with sand scattered all over the place.

Grow Nontoxic Plants

Most gardens have at least a bit of greenery going on, but what a lot of people forget is that some plants can be poisonous. And pets being pets, they'll chew on just about anything they can get their mouths on. It's better to play it safe and stick to non-toxic options like snapdragons or sunflowers. You could always pop them into hanging baskets; provided that they’re up high, they won’t stand a chance of getting to them.

Spruce up Your Outdoor Space With These Easy, Pet-Friendly Upgrades!

With a new family member joining you soon, it’s important to have your garden set up for whatever surprises they might bring. Stay one step ahead by adding a few of these simple pet-friendly features that are destruction-proof, no matter what kind of little troublemaker you’ve got.

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