How to Create a Pet-Friendly Garden

Pet-friendly yards are having a moment. Thanks to the rising petscaping trend, more homeowners are designing outdoor spaces that are just as enjoyable for their pets as they are for the people who live there. Petscaping blends smart landscape design with pet safety, creating gardens that are beautiful, functional and built for play, exploration and relaxation.

A truly pet-friendly garden goes far beyond picking a few safe plants. It means choosing the right trees, shrubs and groundcovers, avoiding toxic plants, managing weeds responsibly and timing lawn treatments with pet safety in mind. Every design choice plays a role in protecting your four-legged family members while keeping your yard looking its best.

With thoughtful planning and the right mix of DIY tips and professional support, you can create an outdoor space that works for pets without sacrificing curb appeal. This guide will walk you through the key elements of creating a pet-friendly space so you can build a yard that’s safe, stylish and enjoyable for the whole family year-round. 

Selecting the right plants is one of the most important steps in petscaping. The goal is to build a landscape that’s beautiful, durable and safe for curious pets who love to sniff, brush against leaves or occasionally take a taste-test nibble. These popular pet-friendly options are a great place to start:

• Trees: Maple, birch and dogwood provide welcome shade, improve air quality and are generally safe for pets as they move through the yard.
• Shrubs: Camellia, hydrangea and Oregon Grape holly work well for natural borders and privacy hedges without posing a risk to pet health.
• Flowers: Marigolds, sunflowers and snapdragons add bright color, are easy to maintain and are safe for pets to be around.

Just as important as what you plant is what you avoid. Common favorites that can be toxic are lilies, boxwood, azaleas and daffodils. They can cause symptoms such as vomiting, drooling, lethargy and more serious health issues if ingested. If you’re hoping to attract pollinators without putting pets at risk, consider safer alternatives like pansies or zinnias instead.

For ongoing care and protection of your trees and shrubs, explore TruGreen’s Tree and Shrub Care services to help keep your landscape thriving year-round. For additional guidance, the ASPCA’s list of toxic and non-toxic plants is an excellent resource when planning or updating your garden.

Pro Tip: Plant a mix of low and tall plants to create vertical interest and give pets a variety of textures and scents to explore safely. 

A healthy lawn is the foundation of a pet-friendly garden. Beyond looks, weeds can introduce allergens and even toxic plants like spotted spurge into your yard, making weed control especially important for households with pets. To manage weeds while keeping your furry friends protected, follow these best practices for treatment and instructions for aftercare:

• Maintain a Regular Lawn Care Schedule: Plan pet playtimes around service days. On treatment days, keep pets indoors and allow applications to fully dry before letting them back onto the lawn.
• Follow Lawn Care Treatment Re-Entry Guidelines: Always keep pets out of treated areas for the recommended waiting period, typically a few hours to a full day, depending on the treatment.

Consistent lawn care also helps reduce pests like ticks and fleas, creating a welcoming outdoor environment for your pets to enjoy. For reliable year-round weed control, explore TruGreen Weed Control services.

Pro Tip: Professional, scheduled treatments help ensure products are applied at the right time in the right amounts to help maintain a pet-friendly yard and landscape.  

Even in the most carefully planned gardens and landscapes, curious pets may occasionally nibble on the wrong plant.  

If you notice any symptoms or suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance. Early intervention can make a significant difference. To help prevent exposure, keep hazardous plants out of reach and inspect your garden beds regularly for potentially toxic plants that may appear unexpectedly. For additional guidance, AAHA’s resources on recognizing signs of poisoning in dogs are a helpful reference.