How To Make Your Patio Pet-Friendly

Pets really are part of the family, and it’s not uncommon for our customers to make some of their garden renovation decisions based on the needs of their four-legged friend. If you already have a patio in place and are thinking about bringing home a puppy or kitten, you’ll want to ensure your outdoor space is both a beautiful and safe space for your new friend. Here’s some of our best tips on making your patio pet-friendly.

Use a pet-friendly patio cleaner

When cleaning your patio for summer, you’ll want to use an organic cleaner that’s safe for children, pets, and wildlife. Simply mix 1 part of the solution and 3 parts water and apply with either a garden sprayer on droplet setting, soft broom, or paintbrush, wetting the surface evenly.

Set up a watering station

Just like us, pets need to stay hydrated on a hot summer day. Choose a comfortable, shaded area to place a large water bowl, and make sure you keep it filled throughout the day. Dogs love playing with ice cubes too, which not only cools them down but keeps the whole family entertained!

Make sure there’s enough shade

Patios can get incredibly hot in the summer. Nobody would expect you to walk barefoot when the ground is scorching, so why should your pet’s paws suffer? There’s plenty of ways you can bring more shade onto your patio, including a table umbrella, trees, canopy, or even a shade tent your pet can retreat to when needed.

Choose your plants carefully

Turn your back for one second and you’ll find your puppy taking the opportunity to bite one of the plants you have around the garden. Tulips, geraniums, and hyacinth can be dangerous for dogs, so it's best to do your research on pet-friendly plants before you start gardening. You could always surround your plant beds with fencing too or purchase wall plants.

Make a dig zone

Dogs love to dig, and if you want to avoid your gardening efforts being ruined, you’ll want to lay out a designated dig area where it’s perfectly okay for your dog to bury his favourite toys. Fill a sandbox, place it in a shaded area, and sit back and watch as your pet digs to their heart’s content.

Safeguard the area without blocking the view

If you have a balcony patio, you’ll want to make sure your pet doesn’t try to slip through the railings, especially if they’re small. You can nail plexiglass or acrylic sheets to the rails so that both you and your pet can still safely look out at the view. If you’d like more advice on pet-friendly outdoor surfaces, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. We can come and take a look at your outdoor space and advise the most suitable option for you and your beloved pet, with the installation taking place whenever works best for you.