Compass SF

2 Dog-friendly landscaping ideas to try at home

by Eric Janson 01/14/2024

If you have a dog at home, dog-friendly backyard landscaping ideas might be just what you need to inspire your backyard upgrade. Are you concerned about your pet’s safety around plants? Do you want to protect the condition of your garden? Or, do you just want to make your dog feel more comfortable playing in the yard?

Regardless of your reasoning, there are plenty of options that work for any circumstance. Here are some great tips and ideas for creating a dog-friendly outdoor environment at home:

Lose the lawn

A lawn might seem like the perfect environment for a dog, but both their digging and droppings can mean trouble for the health of the yard. If you want a more sustainable backyard your pups will also benefit from, consider replacing your lawn with any number of dog-friendly grass alternatives.

For the same lush feel without the maintenance, try planting dog-friendly ground covers like Irish moss, creeping thyme or clover. These hardy ground covers feel soft under your dog’s paws, but can stand up to rough play and pet urine.

Plus, they’re much more environmentally friendly than grass lawns because they require almost zero watering once established.

Dog-friendly plants

Another aspect of dog-friendly landscaping is keeping your pooch safe from toxic or dangerous plants. If you love fragrant, vibrant flowers, good news: you can plant fuchsias, sunflowers, snapdragons, nasturtiums and magnolia bushes without worrying about your pet’s safety.

If you’re more interested in tall greenery, maiden grass makes an extremely durable pet safe option for your backyard landscape. Your dog will love romping around in the long, rustling leaves - meanwhile, you can rest easy knowing they won’t get sick if they happen to take a bite.

If you want to create a dog-friendly landscape at home, prioritize replacing your lawn with a mat-like ground cover and choosing plants carefully to keep your four-legged friends healthy. If you remember these key tips, both you and your dog will enjoy the benefits of a dog-friendly yard.

About the Author
Author

Eric Janson

Known as the #TallestManInRealEstate, in 2019 I teamed up with the Bellings Brothers (also Bay Area natives) and we quickly became the #1 buyers team in 2019 and 2020 by helping our clients purchase over 100 houses and condos in San Francisco. This wouldn’t be possible without our operations manager Teryssa Pineda and our Transaction Coordinator, which allows us to give the personal care and attention our clients need in this extremely competitive market. 

With my 10 plus years of experience in the mortgage and real estate industry, I look forward to serving you and your personal real estate interests.