Every pet parent loves to watch their dog play around in the green grass and sunshine. Your pooch is much like a loved family member whom you must protect from any danger, especially the ones lurking in your backyard. This way, they can frolic around without getting affected by any unforeseen hazards.
For a dog, the backyard is their haven to explore unfamiliar sounds and smells. However, ticks and mosquitoes, stray animals, sharp objects, and even dog waste can make the area unsafe for your canine to play and roam around freely. Hence, it is essential to keep this space clean and protected for the safety of your dog’s health.
In this article, we will discuss some of the useful guidelines to help you keep your backyard secure.
Eliminate Toxic Plants
Pups love to stop and smell leaves and flowers. However, not every plant is safe for them, even though it might look good in your garden. However, dog parents aren’t aware of the plants and flowers that are harmful to them.
Ideally, you should avoid sago palms, daffodils, azaleas, and lilies, as they can make your furry friend ill. Even tulips and oleanders are harmful. Instead, opt for safe plant options, such as coral bells, sunflowers, daisies, and marigolds.
Take the time to inspect if you have any poisonous flowers and plants in your backyard. If you find any, remove them as soon as possible.
When dogs smell or eat toxic plants and flowers, it can cause stomach upset and make them vomit. Also, it can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, excess salivation, and an abnormal heart rate. In extreme situations, it can even lead to death.
Ensure Water Safety
Do you have a hot tub, fountain, or pool in your yard? If so, it is necessary to fence it so that your pup has no unauthorized access to it.
Otherwise, the dog might fall in accidentally. Dogs who are excellent swimmers can also get completely overwhelmed or tired while failing to get out of the tub or pool. Hence, you should ensure that the yard layout safeguards your dog from accessing water features.
Remember to remove the leash or shock collar before your dog moves close to the water. Otherwise, they might get shocked and get hurt. Not practicing water safety at home can make your pooch vulnerable to accidents and injuries.
Eliminate Dog Waste
Often, pet owners feel dog poop is a gross and unpleasant sight. But there are dangers of pet feces greater than you can imagine. These can get maggot-infested during the summer and moldy in damp weather. It becomes difficult to step into the yard. It also becomes the breeding ground for parasites and diseases.
PetMD states that you shouldn’t try to get rid of dog waste by yourself because you might suffer from allergies and other physical discomforts. It’s because dog poop has a parvovirus that attacks the intestinal cells and results in vomiting, diarrhea, and other illnesses. Getting your pet vaccinated for this virus is crucial.
It’s also essential that you clean your yard with the help of a professional dog waste removal company. They are experts in cleaning the yard and making it a safe space for both you and your pup. Also, they provide solutions based on your requirements.
Some providers offer commercial dog waste removal services for apartment complexes and condos. That means you can rely on them whether you live in a single-family home, an apartment, or a condo unit.
Scoop Soldiers states that expert service providers specializing in this domain help apartments and dog parks remove dog waste effectively. Customers can avail of daily or weekly services based on their requirements. That way, their yards are clean and allow both the pet and their owners to walk in the backyard hassle-free.
Use Pet-Safe Fertilizers and Remove Pesky Bugs
Certain lawn care chemicals and plant fertilizers hurt dogs. One such name to mention is cocoa mulch. Therefore, before you make a purchase, read the packaging data or even speak with a customer care executive to ensure that the products are safe for your pets.
Also, your backyard will have insects, fleas, wasps, mosquitoes, and ticks, which can affect your dog when they play outside. You should ensure that your dog gets the daily tick and flea medication schedule.
You should search for yard treatments that are pet-friendly so that there are as few pests as possible. If you want, you can also get a bug spray specially designed for dogs.
Remove Rodent Bait
Rodent bait can affect your dog’s nervous system and the animal’s stomach. It consists of poison that can kill rats and small pests.
However, if your pooch has access to them, it can make them ill and even take their lives. Eating a dead rodent that has been exposed to bait can lead to indirect poisoning. Make sure that your yard is free from traps and dead animals before you allow your dog to step in.
All in all, pet owners do all they can to keep their dogs secure, both inside and outside the house. However, not everyone realizes that the backyard too can pose health hazards to their pup if it’s not cleaned and maintained well.
From toxic plants and dog waste to dead animals, the hazards can multiply if you don’t keep this space safe. The guidelines discussed above can help you create a safe space for your pooch in your yard.
Article and permission to publish here provided by Daniel Washington. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on July 25, 2024.
Cover photo by Anthony Duran on Unsplash.