Pet-Friendly Outdoor Plants

As the owner of pets, you are aware that they are very inquisitive creatures. Just as with farm animals, dogs and cats love to graze outdoors. They will sniff and nibble on plants and flowers that appear interesting to them. For this reason, it is imperative that your yard contain outdoor plants that are safe and pet-friendly for the safety of your beloved pets.

  1. Planning Your Outdoor Garden

    • As with any big decision, doing your research and planning ahead is important in creating a safe, pet-friendly yard. Beauty and upkeep shouldn't be your only decision when choosing outdoor plants. The Humane Society provides a listing of plants that are poisonous to pets, which you can use for guidance in planning your yard.

    Grasses

    • Grass is a pet-friendly plant that dogs and cats love to romp and graze in. Pets like the taste and the texture of the blades of grass, and they use the grass as a self-medication for digestive upset, according to naturalpetcare.com. Dogs and cats eat the grass, which helps them to vomit, relieving the upset in their stomachs.

    Hardy Pet-Friendly Plants

    • With a varied choice of pet-friendly outdoor plants, it is best to decide on plants for their hardiness as well as appearance. Your pets aren't going to be gentle and careful around the plants. Select plants such as bamboo, sweet woodruff, cotoneaster, thyme and periwinkle, which are very hardy, woody plants. These types of plants can withstand being walked on and nibbled on while maintaining beauty in the yard.

    Non-Toxic Flowers

    • Along with pet-friendly green outdoor plants, there are many fragrant and pretty flowers that you can safely add to the yard. Some non-toxic flowers include marigolds, snapdragons, rex begonias, honeysuckle fuchsia, bachelor buttons and hollyhocks. Careful planning can produce a pet-friendly outdoor garden.