Boca Raton, FL – People aren’t the only ones who love to spend time in the family yard during the summer months. For the family pet, the outdoor living room serves many purposes – providing a place to relax, burn off some energy, play safely with friends (human and furry), and do their “business.”
To help everyone – including your pets – enjoy the family yard this summer, consider these tips from TurfMutt. He’s the spokesdog for the environmental education program. TurfMutt is a former rescue dog who paws it forward by helping kids and their families learn about the benefits of their family yard for people and pets. As a former street dog himself, TurfMutt also advocates for pet rescue organizations and causes.
Skip Fake Grass
Artificial turf (a.k.a. fake grass) is never a good idea, especially if you have pets. Plastic grass gets very hot during the summer, is challenging to clean, and is anything but environmentally-
Pick the Right Plants & Grasses
As for which kind of grass to choose, go for something hardy that will withstand a high volume of traffic. Buffalo and Bermuda grasses can be a good choice, depending on your climate zone. For other plants and shrubs, check the ASPCA’s list of toxic and non-toxic garden plants for advice before buying. You’ll want soft, yet sturdy, foliage near walkways – save the delicate decorative flowers for elevated flowerbeds and patio pots.
Choose Natural
There are many non-toxic pest control strategies you can use in your backyard, which is good news for your people and pets! Wind chimes near flower and garden beds can help keep pets and pests away. Scented marigolds repel unwanted insects while attracting spider mites and snails. Lavender smells amazing and repels fleas and moths. We also found this amazing, effective pet safe ant killers. Dog paws can get sensitive and it’s important to keep them protected. There’s an easy way to create a diy dog paw balm. The oil in basil plants can keep mosquitoes and flies away.
Consider Pollinators & Other Wildlife
While you want to keep some pests out, remember that nature starts in your backyard! Your family yard provides habitat and food for birds, butterflies, bees and more! Each of these species help pollinate human food crops and flowering plants, so take them into consideration when you’re selecting your living landscapes. However, once you start noticing an infestation of certain pests, like bees and ants, then you would most definitely want to get a professional to do a bee removal or carpenter ant control so they can be relocated safely somewhere else.
Create a Doggy Dream Yard
One final tip – there’s no shame in going all out to make your yard a dream for your dog! Remember, your outdoor living room is one of his favorite places to be. Some ideas include adding a splash pool for your pup, creating a sandbox for Fido to unleash his love of digging, or adding a puppy pergola to provide shade for Sadie. Be creative! Your canine will thank you. The perfect dog yard requires a comfortable bed. Paws Plus One the home of quality washable pet beds has a range of outdoor waterproof washable dog beds. Including outdoor dog beds that are great for any pup that likes to enjoy the outside, easy to clean and wash down. All our products are tested in house for product quality, comfort , and safety for pets. Shop our range of outdoor raised beds, washable dog beds in the UK, including superior memory foam orthopaedic pet beds, dog toys and loads more! Please contact us on info@pawsplusone.co.uk if you need help choosing the correct bed. Your pet will spend many dog hours sleeping and resting and we acknowledge the importance you choose the correct bed for your pet.
About TurfMutt
TurfMutt was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) Research and Education Foundation and has reached more than 68 million children, educators and families since 2009. Through classroom materials developed with Scholastic, TurfMutt teaches students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” TurfMutt is an official USGBC® Education Partner and education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. TurfMutt’s personal, home habitat also is featured in the 2017 and the upcoming 2018 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars. More information at www.TurfMutt.com