Keeping your furry friends safe is always a first priority, and when it comes to your garden, you want to make sure that they will be safe and happy outdoors. When it comes to create a pet friendly garden, there are a few things to know before you get started.

From avoiding potentially harmful plants to discovering pet-friendly garden hacks, we've got everything you need to know to create the perfect pet-safe garden.

Research Harmful Plants and Flowers

Before putting anything in the ground, it's best to research on the plants to avoid having in your garden. For example, if your family dog likes to dig up your flowerbeds, then it's best to avoid plants and bulbs such as Hyacinths, Daffodils, Crocus, etc.

However, if you have a cat that likes to chew on your indoor flowers, try to avoid picking plants like Irises, Lilies, and Ferns. There are quite a few toxic plants and flowers to avoid, so do your research before starting your displays.

Safety is Key

Before letting your pet outside, it's best to assess the overall safety of your garden. Is there a pool? A shed filled with dangerous tools? Reduce access to these areas with a fence.

It's also a great idea to use organic or pet-safe mulch and fertilisers when gardening. If your pet ingested anything else, it could cause serious harm.

Protect Your Borders

If, like many cats, yours likes to do its business in flowerbeds... it's time for that to change. To avoid this, you can designate an area of the garden for your cat to use. Establish this early on when the cat is young to ensure it doesn't get stuck in a habit.

If your dog loves to dig up your newly planted bulbs, try raising your beds out of their reach. That way, they can't get to your plants, and it's less of a worry when you let them out.

Wildlife Protection

Cats are natural hunters. They love to jump and chase and catch, but unfortunately, this isn't great for local wildlife. If you're cat is an outdoor cat and you have bird feeders or bird baths in your garden, try putting them elsewhere.

This could be higher up on a tree or anywhere that your cat could easily reach.