Pet-Friendly Gardens: Plants, Landscaping & Safety Tips

tabby cat Caroline Smith

Caroline Smith

If you share your home with animal companions—or welcome visiting pets and wildlife—your garden should be a safe place to explore. By choosing pet-friendly plants, avoiding harmful chemicals, and creating a secure outdoor space, you can help keep animals happy and healthy.

You can also view safety information by species for more tailored advice.

Secure Your Garden

A secure garden helps prevent pets from wandering onto roads:

  • Install sturdy fencing to stop pets escaping.
  • Neutering dogs and cats can reduce roaming in search of mates.
  • Blue Cross offers low-cost services for dogs and cats.

Hedgehog Highways

  • Wildlife groups encourage cutting a 13 cm × 13 cm hole in fences so hedgehogs can move safely between gardens.
  • If you have small pets that could escape through these holes, block them during the day when hedgehogs are sleeping, then reopen them at night.

Choose Pet-Friendly Landscaping

The materials you use around your garden can make a big difference.

  • Paving is generally safer than gravel, which can trap between paws.
  • Paving can become extremely hot, so provide plenty of shade.
  • Keep heavy ceramic water bowls filled with fresh, clean water every day.
  • Choose wood outdoor kennels (not metal that could overheat).

Safer Gardens

  • Organic lawns are safer because they avoid pesticides.
  • Natural grass stays cooler than artificial turf in summer.
  • Use non-toxic wood stain on fences and furniture.
  • Repair broken fence posts, decking and balcony rails.

Store Chemicals Safely

  • Remove litter from the garden.
  • Keep chemicals locked away.
  • Recycle empty containers correctly.
  • Dispose of leftover chemicals through your local hazardous waste.

Protect Pets in Every Season

Hot Weather

  • Provide shaded resting places.
  • Never use human sunscreen on pets. Many contain zinc oxide.
  • Wash sunscreen, deodorant or cosmetic products from your own skin (due to zinc oxide or cocoa butter) before close contact with pets.
  • Use only pet-safe sunscreen recommended by your vet.

Water Safety

  • Avoid leaving open barrels of water where pets could fall in.
  • Use secure water butt with child and pet locks.
  • Ponds should have gently sloping sides or be safely fenced.
  • Avoid pond netting, which can trap wildlife.

Cats and Heights

Cats do not always land safely. If your cat lives above ground floor:

  • Keep accessible windows closed or fitted with secure screens.
  • Consider enclosed outdoor spaces (“catios”) for fresh air.

After Walks

Check your pet for:

Choose Safe Garden Plants

Many common garden plants are poisonous to pets—even brushing against them can cause harm. This applies also to rabbits and guinea pigs.

Avoid planting:

  • Lilies
  • Sago palm
  • Daffodils (all bulbs are toxic)
  • Tulips
  • Crocuses
  • Poppies
  • Rhododendrons

Essential oil-rich plants (lavender, pine) may cause problems, particularly for cats. Also choose unscented household cleaning and laundry products.

Avoid burning citronella around pets. Waspinator is a paper bag that looks like a nest to territorial wasps (install before nests occur, for best results).

Know the signs of plant poisoning

Common symptoms include:

  • Vomiting
  • Excessive drooling
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
  • Weakness

Blue Cross has tips on pet-friendly gardens. Campaigners want warnings on seed packs (and in gardening books) to alert of dangers. Learn more about:

  1. Toxic plants to dogs
  2. Toxic plants to cats
  3. Toxic plants to rabbits
  4. Toxic plants to guinea pigs
  5. Toxic plants/trees to horses
  6. Toxic houseplants
  7. Toxic Christmas plants (holly, mistletoe, ivy, poinsettias)

For Dog’s Sake is a lovely book with info on toxic plants and foods to avoid, with an illustrated first aid guide.

Animal Poison Helpline operates 24 hours a day (for any toxin concern). Veterinary professionals can also access VPIS Global. for specialist advice.

Safe Mulches for Pets

Mulch is excellent for no-dig gardening, but not every type is pet-safe.

Avoid:

  • Fresh compost (can contain harmful moulds)
  • Cocoa mulch (contains the same toxin as chocolate)
  • Pine mulch (sharp pieces can cause injuries)
  • Rubber mulch (choking hazard)
  • Straw mulch ((only digestible by ruminants, hay is better)

Garden Without Harmful Chemicals

Organic gardening is safer for pets and wildlife.

Oil and antifreeze are highly poisonous. If changing fluids yourself:

  • Choose propylene glycol antifreeze where possible.
  • Use a funnel to reduce spills.
  • Absorb spills with sand or cat litter. Then scoop and bin securely (don’t mop, this will spread the spill).

Collars, ID and Microchips

  • It’s UK law for cats over 20 weeks (and dogs over 8 weeks) to be microchipped. Get at reduced rates for low incomes.
  • FlexiTags lists important info, without needing for hanging tags.
  • Experts say to avoid collars until around 8/10 weeks (puppies) or 6 months (kittens). Blue Cross has tips on quick-release cat collars.
  • Quality quick-release dog collars remain secure on walks (the lead is locked through D-rings). But break off in emergencies. KeepSafe in North America is the main brand.

Help Protect Garden Birds

Cats are natural hunters, but a few simple changes can reduce bird deaths.

  • Keep cats indoors at dawn/dusk (when birds are likely feeding). Avoid wooden bird feeders (cats can claw up). Place them 10 feet above ground, sheltered from wind/sun with 360-degree view to spot predators.
  • Get involved in community efforts to provide natural habitats for birds like hedgerows (berries!) and tree-planting, to provide natural roosts.
  • Read tips on how to reduce bird-window collisions.

Always Pick Up Pet Waste

Pet waste can spread parasites to other pets and people.

  • Pick up waste immediately.
  • Dispose of it in biodegradable poop bags where available.
  • If your dog repeatedly urinates in one area, rinse the spot with water to help prevent lawn damage.

Keep Pets Safe Around Snakes

England’s only venomous snake, the adder, can bite dogs if disturbed.

  • Always keep dogs on leads when walking in tall grass or bush. Be extra careful around piles of wood and rocks. And creeks or other water sources, especially early morning or evening.
  • Don’t leave food (or fruit waste) outside (this can also attract rodents).
  • Humane dog trainers can teach dogs how to avoid snakes.
  • Dog-Friendly Cornwall has tips on when to avoid walking (‘safe hours’ were previously before 9am and after 7pm). But climate change has adapted temperatures, so this does not always follow.
  • Goodheart Animal Health Centres has tips to protect small dogs (advice could apply to other species) from birds of prey.  Attacks are rare, but info is useful for people who live near eagles and raptors.

If your dog is bitten by a snake:

  • Call a vet immediately (read how to avoid & treat adder bites).
  • Keep calm and stay quiet, so your dog doesn’t panic. Lift and carry your dog to the car to stop venom from spreading.
  • Don’t wash or attempt to treat the bite yourself.
  • If you can safely take a photo of the snake, this can help vets.
  • Animal Emergency Service has tips on symptoms and treatment.

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