9 ways to make your garden more pet-friendly

Tom Stone — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Pet parents are being urged to make their back garden safer and more enjoyable for their four-legged friends this summer.

Green-thumbed experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have explored nine helpful ways to help protect pets from the dangers of an enclosed outdoor space.

The garden is a pet's favourite place to relax and roll around, but many find themselves in hot water when they accidentally step on a bee or a sharp object.

Making sure all possible escape routes are blocked and the garden fences aren't sharp to touch are just some of the ways to make the area more pet friendly.

A spokesperson from GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: "We wanted to provide gardeners with helpful tips to create the perfect outdoor space for their loveable pets.

"It's important to prioritise a furry friend's safety in the garden, so it's vital to make sure there are no poisonous plants lurking about and to make sure any harmful insects are removed before causing any injuries. The most surprising part is that many pet owners are unaware how easy it is for pets to escape or get harmed in a garden, so we wanted to share the best ways to prevent this from happening."

Here are the top tips from GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk to make your back garden more pet friendly:

Remove poisonous plants

While flowers are gardeners' pride and joy, some of the beautiful plants can be potentially hazardous to pets if they get too close to them. Ivy, day lilies and hydrangeas are some of the most common plants you need to remove to avoid dangers if you have pets around.

Designated cooling area

Making a cooling area for pets will help them keep relaxed and enjoy the weather without getting too hot during a heatwave. This could be created by making shade in the garden or a water feature where they can instantly cool down.

Reasonable places to climb

A must-have for adventurous cats. Having a log to climb is perfect for the cats to jump on and scratch with their claws, but make sure it's balanced correctly and isn't too accessible for other household pets to potentially escape.

Block escape routes

Have a look round the garden to spot any potential exit points. If there's a gap in the fence or if the garden gate is loose, it's best to get it fixed promptly. Pets won't hesitate to find any potential gaps as a way out of the back garden.

Have a pet friendly fence

It's vital to keep the animals secure in the garden, but also making sure the fence won't hurt them if they try to jump around. Homeowners can opt for a classic feather board style and place rocks at the bottom to prevent any digging.

Sort out the bees and wasps

To prevent pets accidentally getting stung, you can go down the professional route by calling in the beekeepers or take them on yourself by creating a homemade vinegar spray. Mix equal amounts of water and vinegar and then spray over potential nesting areas.

Smooth sharp edges

Making sure the garden sheds haven't got any rusty nails sticking out or extremely sharp edges of landscaping will help protect pets from any injuries. To do this, stop and visually analyse where your pets could harm themselves and then smooth out the sharp corners.

Doggy play area

It's not just about keeping the pets safe, but it's also to make the space most enjoyable for them to play in. A toy chest with their favourite treats and balls in means the family favourite can have endless hours of fun.

Hold off weed killer

While weeds are the top pest in the garden, it's important to not needlessly place weed killers across the whole garden when animals are around. If they lick or sniff any of the glyphosate from the substance, then it can lead to heart rate troubles and breathing difficulties.

Christmas Safety: How to fire-proof, dog-proof and stain-proof your home

Your Pets Daily Editor — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 10:19:59 +0000

With Christmas being justsix weeks away, GTSE.co.uk wanted to discover the best ways to have a safe and damage-free Christmas when putting up your decorations, eating Christmas dinner and hanging lights both indoors and outdoors.

Using their expert knowledge on cable ties, widespread research and speaking with Lindsay Arliss, Dog Behaviour and Training Specialist at Wood Green, GTSE.co.uk compiled six tips to avoid damage when decking the halls this Christmas.

1. Regularly water your tree(s) sat near Christmas lights

One of the main reasons for Christmas fires is people using high-voltage bulbs for their Christmas lights next to dried leaves from their Christmas tree(s). So, make sure you give your tree(s) a nice drink of water over the festive period and spray the leaves using a water spritzer.

2. Use cable ties and clips to avoid damaging your walls

Over the festive period, you’ll likely be hanging seasonal decorations around the home. But it’s important to use tools that don’t damage your walls in the process. So, use the following:

Self-adhesive cable clips: These help you to hook hanging decorations up really easily.
Self-adhesive cable ties: For hanging bulky decorations on your walls, being sturdy enough to hold them in place.

As well as…

Double-sided tape: This is an effective solution for lighter items, but remember it’ll struggle to hold up heavier decorations.
Washi tape: This peels off very easily, and doesn’t damage your decorations (or walls).

3. Attach ribbons to your staircase

Part of decorating for Christmas involves sticking your Christmas cards up on the walls. But, this involves using a lot of tack, which can leave marks on your walls and surfaces. Instead, use ribbons to hang up your Christmas cards against your hallway banister. This avoids washing down tack in the new year! Simply:

Use craft glue and apply this to the ribbon itself.
Place your Christmas cards in a vertical position against the glue, all the way down to the length of the ribbon.
Lay this newly created ‘bunting’ on a surface and allow it to cool.
Next, wrap the ribbon around your hallway banister and tie it together. Viola!

4.Avoid using decorations that are harmful to your dog

If you have a dog, consider the types of decorations you choose carefully, as most plastic or metal items can pose a danger if consumed. So, avoid the following Christmas decorations:

Decorative glitter or ribbons – Instead, opt for plain brown paper or cardboard. They’ll have just as much fun tearing open the package, and it’s much safer!
Berries from sprigs of holly or mistletoe – These can be toxic for dogs, so we recommend you decorate with artificial versions.

5. Use extra materials under the base of your tree

Placing your tree on top of a sturdy piece of plywood.
If you have hardwood flooring, place a non-skid mat underneath your Christmas tree stand (to avoid scratching).

6.Use this magic concoction to remove gravy spills

Christmas dinner spills are likely to happen, especially with gravy. If this happens, once you’ve mopped up as much gravy as you can, attend to the remaining staining by:

Sprinkling baking soda or corn-starch over the affected area.
Leave this to stand for around 15 minutes, before vacuuming the area.
If there’s any marking left over, mix one tablespoon of washing-up liquid with one tablespoon of white vinegar, and two cups of warm water.
Then, blot the stain with a white cloth. Voila!

To conclude, Kirstie Batty, Head of Merchandising at GTSE says: “Although the festive season can bring a lot of joy, it can also be a busy period and manic for many. Avoiding any damages or safety issues gives families peace of mind when enjoying Christmas and we hope our advice inspires people to keep themselves and their pets happy throughout. “

For further tips on how to keep your home damage-free this Christmas, visit: https://gtse.co.uk/blog/how-to-guarantee-a-damagefree-christmas

Your Pets Daily - Pet safety advice

9 ways to make your garden more pet-friendly

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Christmas Safety: How to fire-proof, dog-proof and stain-proof your home

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