12 Simple Tips to Make Your Yard Pet-Friendly

Many people consider their pets a part of the family. According to a study conducted by Pew Research last year, 62% of Americans owned a pet, and of those pet-owning households, over half considered their pets to be a part of their family as much as a human member.

For all of those dedicated pet parents out there, creating a pet-friendly outdoor space is just one more way you can keep your pet happy and healthy.

We researched the best plants, solutions and accessories to make your backyard a pet-friendly oasis. We only included solutions that you can implement in your yard without too much redesign or work. Some of these designs even have the potential to be rental-friendly.

Pet-Friendly Plants

One of the most important things when redesigning your yard for your pets is to make sure the plants you’re using are pet-safe. Many plants and flowers, including azaleas, birds of paradise, and aloe, are toxic to dogs and cats when ingested.

The ASPCA has a searchable database so you can double-check that whatever you plant in your garden is safe for your furry friend. There are even some beneficial plants out there for your pets, like mint for dogs or catnip for cats.

Grassless Alternatives

A grassless yard is a great alternative for pets because you don’t have to worry about urine killing your grass, pets with sensitive skin, messes, or watering. Utilizing different materials like mulch, synthetic turf, gravel, or concrete also creates various sniffing areas for your pet, making your yard more fun for them.

Turf and grassless alternatives are also a great solution for making balconies or small apartment yards a pet-friendly space. The nice thing about these alternatives is that they’re generally easier to clean up and can be switched out or replaced when they need a refresh.

Designated Potty Areas

Creating a designated area for your pets to do their business is a smart way to keep unpleasant smells or pests out of the areas that your family wants to enjoy. For smaller pets, you can purchase patches of grass, synthetic grass, or litter boxes that are made for the outdoors.

If you have a larger yard, doggy gates or fences help create a separate potty area. If you're using real grass for your potty areas, consider purchasing sprays and other alternatives that can protect grass from pet urine.

Pet Furniture

Pets deserve comfy furniture to lounge on, too. My pooch loves his elevated dog cot, and it’s a simple solution to keep your four-footed love from getting hot spots or dry spots from lying on the hot ground.

Using pet furniture also allows you to create shady areas to give your pet some respite from the sun on hot days. There are fancy pet beds out there with built-in sun shades.

Water Features

Water features can be a nice way to cool your pet down. If you want to get fancy, you can install special sprinklers or fountains. But if you want to keep it simple, small wading pools and features that attach to a garden hose will do the trick.

If you decide to use a water feature, it’s important to find a place for the water to go in your yard or balcony — you don't want it killing your plants or spilling down to other apartments. It’s also imperative to monitor pets in the water and watch for signs of dry drowning.

Safe Fencing

Making sure your yard is fenced is very important, especially if you plan on leaving your pets unsupervised.

Standard fencing might work for some breeds. However, if you have a cat or dog that can easily jump fences, it's wise to use a fence or netting that’s at least seven feet tall. If you’re renting, there are also fencing solutions that don’t require permanent poles or installation in the ground.

Enrichment Areas

Pet enrichment areas, like agility courses, digging pits, sensory gardens or sand pits, are great brain stimulators for dogs and cats. Studies have shown that sniffing is especially beneficial for dogs, as it can improve their mood and release dopamine.

Enrichment activities appeal to a pet’s natural instincts and stimulate brain activity. By giving your pet different enrichment options, you can also tire them out, curbing unwanted behaviors like digging and destruction.

Shady Spots

Having ample shade is a great way to create a comfortable backyard space year-round. If you’re able to, you can use a sunshade or umbrella to create large shady areas.

If space is limited, look for furniture with built-in sun shades to keep your pet cool. There are also certain types of trees and plants that provide shade and can cool down your yard.

Pest Control

In the summer, pests like fleas and ticks thrive. While it’s important to have your pet on a monthly pest preventative year-round, there might be some warm months where you should take extra steps to ensure your yard and home are pest-free.

There are solutions you can purchase at the store, like sprays and powders. But some natural alternatives, like spreading cedar chips around your yard, can help with pests as well. We also recommend keeping your yard tidy and disposing of debris like leaves and wood, which can serve as breeding grounds for pests like fleas.

Sandbox

A designated digging spot, like a sandbox, will help keep your dog from digging up plants and dirt in your yard. You can encourage your pet to use the sandbox by burying their favorite toy or treat and encouraging them to search for it.

Sandboxes are also nice because they can be generally inexpensive and a fun D.I.Y. project. All you need is some plywood, nails, and sand.

Catios

Although we typically think of dogs needing outdoor enrichment and space, cats can also benefit greatly from having an outdoor space. Catios can provide a safe way for your cat to enjoy the outdoors and explore their environment without having to worry about them getting lost or hurt.

Catios can also work for small balconies or apartments and come in a variety of sizes and materials. Some can even connect to a window so cats can come in and out as they please, and you can even build your own.

Privacy Screens

My dog is part beagle and very weary of new people, so he loves to howl at the neighbors. However, putting up a privacy screen on our glass balcony has helped curb his howling and keep his stress levels down.

You can use a simple screen or sticker to block out glass balconies or fences. More intricate solutions to create privacy, like trellises or plant walls, also exist. Both your pets and family members will enjoy the added privacy.