Best Dog Friendly Mulch – The backyard is a wonderful place for dogs and people alike, but it’s important to make sure your space meets your needs as well as Fido’s. Dog-friendly landscaping and human-friendly landscaping are not automatically the same thing.
Whether you think of your outdoor space as a place to relax or a vegetable garden, your dog doesn’t think the same way you do. For them, the yard is a place to run, smell, dig (even if it is in the flower garden), explore and answer the call of nature.
Best Dog Friendly Mulch
This does not mean that we cannot have a dog-friendly yard where we can enjoy it just as much, but it does mean that we cannot plant and landscape with only ourselves in mind. Dog-friendly landscaping ideas available; you just need to know where to look and what you need to get the information to your local landscaping professional to make it a reality.
Dog Friendly Landscaping Tips (for A Backyard You Both Can Enjoy)
While green lawns are a nice sight, dogs can kick up grass while running and show yellow stains in their urine. Consider alternatives like mulch, rocks, or artificial grass that will support and not overheat during the warmer months. If you use rocks, make sure they are not small enough to get caught in your dog’s paws and that your dog doesn’t eat the rocks.
Talk to your local landscaper about the best options and consider using gravel, mulch or mulch under the rocks to prevent material from settling in the soil. Also known as landscape fabric, this material prevents weeds from growing in the center of the mulch.
The main fabric is a layer of woven fibers with holes to allow water to pass through. Some include UV protection to extend the life of the fabric. If you use base cloth, it should be taped down to prevent dogs from digging and tearing. Landscape sticks are available for this purpose.
When planning your dog-friendly garden landscaping, consider the planting zone and how the climate affects the ground cover. For example, if it rains a lot where you live, you may want to avoid dirty sidewalks that can lead to muddy paws.
Pet Friendly Landscaping Tips
When considering your options, you may want to consider the prices of different landscaping options and how they may affect your budget. Landscaping costs are a big part of any project, and you need to know what you’re getting into with your plans, whether you hire someone or do it yourself.
While these are sturdier options than traditional grass, they can still wear down, especially if you have a large dog running over the same area multiple times. When choosing, consider climate, durability, seasonal dormancy, appearance and lawn care, among other things.
Bermudagrass is a good choice for large dogs that like to leash up and play in the yard because it has deep roots and works well in high traffic areas. Bermuda grass goes dormant in the winter if the weather is too cold, so it grows well in areas with warmer, milder winters, and in grades 7-10.
If you’re not sure where your zone falls, you can enter your zip code on the USDA’s plant resistance website to find out.
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Kentucky Bluegrass is a relatively thick grass that grows and heals quickly, making it a good Bermudagrass alternative for those who live a little further north. Kentucky Bluegrass is best suited to cool climates, tolerates cold weather better than Bermudagrass, and grows well in zones 2 through 6.
People sometimes call alfalfa a weed (most herbicides kill it), but they usually find it attractive. As an added bonus, alfalfa suppresses unwanted weeds. Alfalfa can be a good alternative if you want to keep your yard green because it won’t stain your grass.
However, it has one drawback: it is not very durable in high traffic. Alfalfa spreads after a while and needs to be replanted every few years. It dies down in the winter, but don’t worry – it’ll come back in the spring. But until then, you can stay in the muddy yard.
On the other hand, alfalfa grows well in poor soil, and walking around with bare feet can feel soggy. Plus, you never need fertilizer, and you don’t even need to mow. It’s also affordable: the average seed cost is $4 per 4,000 square feet.
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Artificial grass made of synthetic fibers was developed as an alternative to grass for sporting events. It was first widely used in Houston’s indoor stadium, the Astrodome, built in 1966. Due to the indoor nature of the stadium, it could not receive the rain and sunlight needed to grow organic grass. Astroturf was the solution.
If used correctly, artificial grass can also be a solution for dog owners. It’s more durable than organic grass, and if it can handle a 280-pound women’s suit, it can handle anything a Golden Retriever or Doberman can throw at it.
Artificial grass does not need to be watered, although it is worth rinsing to avoid the smell of dog urine. Be sure to have it installed by a professional for good drainage. Deodorant pads are also available to reduce pet odor.
If you’re considering artificial grass, know that it can be an expensive option, typically between $5 and $20 a square foot. Please consider this in your decision before doing so.
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If you don’t want grass, consider mulching, or even explore low-maintenance options like mulch or cedar shavings.
Technically, a roof is not a type of hardscape because it is organic, and hard surfaces are made of inorganic materials such as stone, brick, and concrete pavers. These surfaces require less maintenance than lawns, clover and other organic materials because they require no mowing and are low maintenance.
It’s also easy to pick up your dog’s dirt.
Unlike hard surfaces and gravel, mulch is more forgiving to your dog’s paws: it doesn’t get as hot and it’s softer. Absorbs dog urine and its odor. Additionally, cedar mulch provides its own aroma that helps mask unpleasant odors. Just make sure the mulch and soil have good drainage.
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If you decide to use mulch, avoid cocoa nibs, as they can cause symptoms similar to chocolate poisoning in dogs. Side effects can include diarrhea and vomiting, muscle tremors, and neurological problems if larger amounts are consumed.
Pea gravel, as the name suggests, consists of rounded pieces of stone about the size of a pea: usually one-eighth to three-eighths of an inch. Available in colors from gray to brown and white, you can easily complement the look of your yard.
With its smooth surface, you and your dog don’t have to worry about stepping on bumps or sharp edges, and pea gravel can be used for everything from walkways, patios, playgrounds, and even bathrooms.
Best of all, pea gravel is inexpensive, typically $300-$400 to cover 200 square feet. Color changes may incur some additional costs.
How To Plant A Dog Friendly Garden
Although not as smooth as pea gravel, crushed limestone can be folded to make it easier on your dog’s paws. It repels odors well, and you can easily wash off odors because it filters well. The price of crushed limestone can vary depending on its quality.
Like crushed limestone, crushed granite is durable but not too hard for a dog’s paws. It’s also an affordable option, ranging from $0.30 to $0.70 per square foot.
While concrete, artificial grass, and asphalt can be fine if you live in a temperate climate or are in a shady part of your yard, it’s important to understand how hot it can get.
Humidity, wind and other factors can affect how much heat a dog can tolerate. Similarly, the size, age and breed of the dog.
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Make sure your dog always has plenty of water and shade to retreat to. You may even want to add a water feature, such as a pet-friendly drinking fountain. Spraying the mulch with water can reduce its heat.
The information in the table above comes from several individual studies, including Petsitters.org, PetSitterCourse.com, Liberty Home and Pet Services, WHAS11, and Penn State.
You may have noticed that the smell of dog urine can build up over time. The easiest way to combat this is to rinse the affected areas with water or turn the soil, but if that doesn’t help, try natural solutions like baking soda, vinegar or citrus fruits.
When choosing green plants for landscaping, it is important to avoid poisonous plants. For example, aloe grown for medicinal purposes is popular: it contains antioxidants and, among other beneficial effects, can be excellent for treating wounds and burns. But it is also toxic to dogs, cats and horses, so keep it out of gardens and grow it in containers.
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