Pet FriendlyCreating a outdoor living space must also be pet friendly. There are many things to consider regarding our pets safety, things that may not always be obvious. Lets start with each of the major elements including hardscape, plantscape and accessories that can determine a pet friendly yard. When choosing a deck or patio, keep current and future pets in mind. Will they be able to navigate the stairs? Is the deck spacing safe for smaller dogs? Will they attempt to jump off from to high a deck? These are just a few questions we should ask ourselves. Unfortunately, I have learned from bad experiences, it's always better to think the impossible. With plantings there can be many issues outside the obvious issue of poisonous plants. My smaller dog has a way of finding trouble even though she is well trained. Last year she got a rose thorn in her paw and by the time we discovered it the infection had already abscessed. One of my previous dogs was eating cherry tomatoes without our knowledge until he got quite ill. I always keep a watchful eye on my dogs but it only takes a second for them to get into trouble. I still have roses and tomatoes but I am more careful where I place them and how I block them from the animals. Rockscapes are another hazard my little one discovered. One day she was after a bug and pull a large rock onto her leg causing a sprain. She has since learned not to bother with the rocks since they can cause pain but that was after our worry and vet bills. I never thought she could move something so heavy. Even water features can be hazardous. The larger ponds can cause smaller dogs to drown if the ledge is too high for them. Drinking from any pond can cause all types of bacterial infections. It may not seem possible but it has happened to many people. There are also plants that can be poisonous to pets. The following is a partial list of plants to avoid if you know your pet will eat them. Poisonous Plants
Virtually any accessory we add to the yard can be a hazard. We must consider the specific training and personality of our pets when we decide what to add and where we add it. We must also consider sun and shade to ensure our pets are safe if ever unattended. Just as in the house, we should provide them their own special little place with all their necessities. It's important for all of us to keep in mind that an outdoor living space is a fantastic addition to our homes but it must also be pet friendly. 
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