With the warm weather calling your name this summer season, you and
your pets will want to spend plenty of time outdoors. But, as you’re
getting your yard prepped for the barbecues you’ll be hosting, you’ll
want to be mindful of the products you’re using, types of flowers you’re
planting and more to ensure your cats and dogs are safe and free to
roam around the yard as they please as long as the beautiful weather
lasts.
From ensuring your invisible fence
is in good condition to maintaining a fresh water bowl outside at all
times, there are several things you should be mindful of to keep your
pet happy and safe while in the yard this summer.
Here are a few precautions you should take to make your yard a fun and safe place for all, pets included, of course!
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1. Choose pet-safe plants
Be mindful of your pets when choosing flowers and plants for your
yard, because certain types of plants can be toxic to your pets.
According to the American Kennel Club,
peonies, carnations, daisies and daffodil bulbs are all unsafe for a
dog. They recommend going with something like petunias or marigolds if
dogs are around.
Lilies are extremely toxic to cats and can cause renal failure.
Pollen exposure alone can cause fatal cases of acute kidney illness, or
AKI, in felines. So it’s best to keep lilies out of your yard (and
indoor flower arrangements!) if you or your neighbors have an outdoor
cat.
Do your research before purchasing flowers to have in and around the home this season. Check ASPCA’s list of poisonous plants for dogs, cats and other pets to make sure your garden is safe.
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2. Select fertilizers & weed killers carefully
While maintaining a nice thick, green lawn is important to many
homeowners, you wouldn’t want to do so at the expense of your pet.
Certain fertilizers and weed killers can be harmful to dogs and cats, so
be sure you’re following the instructions regarding spreading
techniques, wait times and more so that your dog or cat isn’t on the
lawn when it isn’t safe for them.
Vet Street has some tips and tricks and can be a good resource before you try to fertilize your yard this summer.
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3. Keep animals away from yard tools & supplies
You wouldn’t want to have your dog or cat outside while the lawn mower
is running, but it’s also important to be aware of how lawn mowers,
gasoline and other equipment is stored when it’s not in use, too, according to PetMD.
It’s best to keep sharp tools and chemicals out of the reach of pets.
Storing them in an area of a shed or garage where the pets aren’t
allowed could be a good option to ensure safety.
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4. Make sure your fence is intact
After a long winter, the fencing around your yard could be in need of repair. One Green Planet
recommends checking your fences to make sure there aren’t any holes or
loose locks that would make it easy for a dog to escape from the yard.
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5. Always have fresh water available
The ASPCA
points out just how important it can be for your pet to have access to a
fresh, clean water bowl at all times to avoid dehydration during the
hot summer months. Be sure to check in regularly to make sure your dog
or cat has fresh, cool water available all summer long.
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6. Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a pool
The ASPCA also notes that not all dogs are strong swimmers and shouldn’t be left unsupervised near a pool or body of water this summer season to prevent drowning.
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7. Be careful with food & drinks at barbecues
Hosting summer barbecues
can be great fun, so make sure it’s fun for your pets, too. Make sure
food and beverages are disposed of properly so your pet won’t have
access to food and alcohol that could be harmful. It’s best to keep an
eye where all the food is set up for serving, too. You don’t want your
dog or cat sneaking a snack that it’s not supposed to have!
Following these guidelines will help make the summer season more fun for the entire family.
Here’s to making your yard the perfect spot to hang out!
This article originally appeared on DontWasteYourMoney.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Image Credit: iStock.
