Reese There’s nothing more enjoyable being outdoors and seeing your pet enjoy nature with you. If you love to garden, adapting your garden to your pet’s needs can make nature time in the garden an even better experience for both you and your pet.
Creating a pet-friendly garden is about putting in a little fun, safety and functionality into your outdoor area. These DIY pet projects we’ve outlined below will make your garden a haven for both you and your pets, be it a curious Siamese, a playful Goldendoodle, or both.
1. Pet-Safe Water Features
Adding water features such as fountains or ponds can be a great way to add some serenity into your garden. They’re beautiful, they can help your pet cool off on warm days, and give them a relaxing place to drink. Moreover, the sound of flowing water can be especially soothing for both you and your pet. Here’s how you can create a DIY water feature for your garden:
Materials Needed:
A shallow basin or a pre-formed pond liner
A small water pump
Decorative rocks
Water plants (choose non-toxic varieties like water lettuce or duckweed)
Steps:
- Choose a flat spot in your garden that’s visible but a bit out of the way from most heavy foot traffic.
- Dig a hole slightly larger than your basin. Add the pond liner or shallow basin into the hole and pack the soil around it to secure it in place.
- Place the water pump in your basin, making sure it’s deep enough to be fully submerged in the water with the cord routed to an outdoor outlet.
- Add rocks and plants all around the basin to create a natural look. You can add water plants in or around the basin. Make sure there’s enough room for the plants to spread and grow.
- Fill the basin with water, plug in the pump, and adjust the flow accordingly. Enjoy!
This water feature is a beautiful touch to your garden and can also double as a natural drinking fountain for your pet.
2. Hidden Litter Box Planters
For cat owners, there’s nothing more annoying than having a beautiful garden that stinks of cat pee or poop. Thus, a litter box is essential for the safety of the rest of your garden. Integrating a litter box into your garden planter can help camouflage your litter box and help it work seamlessly into your garden.
Materials Needed:
A large pot or planter with enough room for a litter box
A litter box that fits comfortably inside the planter
Potting soil
Pet-safe plants (such as cat grass, lavender, or rosemary)
Steps:
- Find a planter that is wide enough to fit your litter box.
- Dig a hole and place the litter box inside the planter.
- Plant pet-safe plants in the remaining space in the planter box. You can even opt for catnip or cat grass to keep your cat interested in going there.
- Use potting soil to fill in any gaps and decorate the entire thing with rocks and plants to help camouflage the planter box into your garden seamlessly.
This planter box is a great way to disguise your cat’s litter box and can even make your garden more beautiful.
3. Dog-Friendly Herb Garden
Dogs love to nibble on plants so having a dog-friendly herb garden is a great way to keep your dog entertained while you garden. It can also double as a place for you to get your own herbs to cook with.
Materials Needed:
Raised garden bed kit or materials to construct one (wood, nails, soil)
Selection of dog-friendly herbs (basil, thyme, cilantro)
Mulch or pea gravel
Steps:
- You can construct a box frame with wooden planks or use a pre-made raised garden bed kit.
- Choose dog-safe herbs and plant them in the raised bed, allowing ample space for each plant to grow.
- Cover the soil with mulch or pea gravel to help keep the soil moist. It will also help make it more comfortable for your dog to walk on and make it less muddy when it rains.
- Encourage your dog to explore his herb garden by rewarding him with treats or affection so he associates it with positive feelings.
Final Words:
A pet-friendly garden can be a great way to safely bond with your pet outdoors. And these DIY projects we’ve recommended can not only help make your garden more pet-friendly, but also add to the overall aesthetics of your garden. With every pet-friendly touch, your garden becomes more and more of a haven for you and your furry friend.
