Like you, your pets will be experiencing spring fever this season. What can you do to protect your pet in your yard and protect your yard from your pet? Besides providing food, water, and shelter for your pet, here are a few ideas to get you started.
Puppy Proofing Your Back Yard
If you are bringing home a puppy for the first time, it is not a good idea to turn them loose in the backyard. As they age you can begin letting them out a few hours at a time, as they seem able. Puppies and dogs like to dig, chew, and eat many different things in the yard so it’s up to us to make sure they stay safe.
1. Treat your yard for fleas and ticks.
You will want to make sure that your yard is free of pests. Treat your yard for fleas and ticks prior to allowing your dog outside. This won’t negate the need for flea and tick preventive medicine but it will go a long way in keeping flea infestations at bay.
2. Avoid mouse/rat poison.
Avoid toxic mouse poison in your backyard. It can cause internal bleeding, brain swelling, and kidney failure. Each year, there are nearly 40,000 calls regarding mouse poison reported by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Consider planting mint plants or using mint as a natural deterrent to mice and other rodents.
3. Be cautious with fertilizers
Fertilizer is another area of concern for dogs. Bone meal smells a lot like the cow or fish it came from. To your pet, it is just a nice meal. Fertilizer can cause pancreatitis in dogs if it is ingested, which will result in vomiting or diarrhea.
4. Monitor your dog for signs of allergies
Look out for allergies, too. If you notice your dog having skin irritations, hair loss, licking their paws, or other signs of allergy, it is a good time to visit your veterinarian and get some relief for your pet.
5. Ensure your yard has the appropriate pet fencing
Not all pets like to wander but many do. You also can’t predict when a squirrel will run through the yard and cause your pet to run, too. Keeping your pet in your own yard is a kindness to your neighbors and protects your pet from many hazards as well.
There are many good fences you can get—vinyl, wood, and chain link all do the job well. Be sure and pick something that will work with your breed of pet and look pleasing, too. If you have goats or animals that tend to stick their necks out, be careful. If they get stuck, they will be easy prey.
If you are worried your pet may dig, placing chicken wire under the fence and burying it a foot or two can prevent digging. Concrete under the fence is also a good idea.
Cats also will roam. This is a problem for cats who go outside because they can get run over. Putting a wire cap on your fence or a mesh awning inside the fence is a good way to deter your cat from getting out of the yard or other cats getting in.
Consider having your pet spayed or neutered to prevent overpopulation and the behavior challenges of pets that are in heat. Your veterinarian will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of spaying and neutering.
Some pets are notorious for escaping so be careful and try to think as they do.
6. Keeping pets away from gardens and plants
You will want to consider running chicken wire around your garden or a good fence. Pets can dig and trample your plants easily destroying what you have invested time in.
Place rocks in planters if your pet likes to tip things over. Put barriers around your flowerbeds or use raised beds to discourage digging.
Be aware of poisonous plants in your yard. Many plants are dangerous if ingested.
7. Put up a fence around your pool
If you have small children, you obviously want to do this for peace of mind. There are also plenty of adventurous dogs, however, whose sense of daring does not match their swimming prowess, and a temporary or permanent fence around your pool will help you avoid unnecessary heartache.
8. Keep your pet cool during hot summer months
One final thought; if you have a doghouse, consider putting marble, granite, tile, or linoleum down inside to give your dog a cool place to rest. If you don't have any shady areas for your pet to rest while outdoors, consider rectifying that before the temperatures skyrocket.
As you can see, there are a few dangers in the yard to be aware of. Pet proofing your backyard will help prevent a few disasters. If you have any questions about how to keep your pet safe as we head into spring and summer, give your vet a call. Don't have a local one? We can help you find a veterinarian near you!