When creating a beautiful outdoor space for your family, you’ll want to consider how your pets will enjoy it, too. Through thoughtful landscaping, your backyard can meet the needs of both humans and their four-legged companions. If you're planning a landscape renovation in Denville, NJ, there are a few things you can do to make sure your outdoor space is functional and enjoyable for your pets:
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1. Choose Pet-Friendly Plantings
The plantings your landscape designer includes in your backyard play an important role in making your landscape welcoming for pets. Some plantings can be harmful to animals if ingested, so it’s important to avoid species that are toxic to dogs or cats. Work with your landscape professional to select non-toxic alternatives like lavender, rosemary, and sunflowers. Ornamental grasses are another great option—they provide texture and can be both resilient and low-maintenance.
Consider incorporating zones in your backyard, with denser planting areas that discourage pets from digging while leaving open spaces for them to roam and play.
2. Adding Pet-Friendly Ground Cover
The material underfoot can make a big difference in how your pets interact with your landscape. Concrete or rough surfaces can be tough on paws, so you’ll want to explore softer ground cover options that are durable and comfortable. Natural grass is often the most obvious choice, but synthetic turf can offer the same look and feel without the maintenance of traditional grass.
Mulch is another option, but be cautious of what type you use—certain mulches, such as cocoa mulch, can be harmful to pets. Wood chips or pea gravel provide a soft, pet-friendly option that looks attractive and blends well with the natural surroundings.
3. Creating Shaded Retreats
Incorporating shaded areas into your landscape can ensure your pets have a comfortable place to rest. Trees with large canopies, pergolas, or shade sails can provide relief from the sun while enhancing your backyard's aesthetic.
Shaded spots can also double as cozy nooks for relaxation. Whether your pet loves to nap in the grass or prefers a cool natural stone patio, adding a shaded area offers a functional feature that benefits you and your pet.
4. Designing Walkways for Exploration
Pets love to explore, and incorporating walkways into your landscape can give them designated areas for wandering. Natural stone walkways or gravel routes can encourage your pets to move around the backyard without trampling plantings or digging in planting beds.
Curving natural stone routes that lead to different sections of your landscape offer an opportunity for your pets to explore and stay mentally stimulated. Whether the walkways connect to open play areas or lead to shaded spots, they’ll help guide your pets to enjoy all the corners of your outdoor space.
5. Incorporating a Water Feature
A water feature can be a fun and functional addition to your pet-friendly landscape. Whether it’s a small bubbling fountain or a larger water basin, your pets will appreciate having access to fresh water while playing outdoors. Not only does this encourage hydration, but it can also add an element of calm to your space, making it more enjoyable for you as well. When choosing a water feature, options that have a shallow depth or easy access points can add a welcoming element for your animal companions.
6. Building Play Areas
Pets need space to run and play, and designing an area specifically for them can ensure they have the freedom to move around. Open spaces with soft ground cover, like grass or turf, provide an ideal spot for pets to play fetch or lounge in the sun.
Consider adding some agility features, like low jumps, tunnels, or platforms, to keep your pets active and entertained. These play areas don’t have to be elaborate—just a simple space with enough room to move around and burn off energy will do the trick.
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