Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe Outside

Irene came and went. In her wake, she left a path of destruction: downed power lines, uprooted trees, and rivers where streets once were. If your backyard was ruined, here are some things to consider when rebuidling your yard in order to keep your canine safe from certain hazards.

Fence In Your Yard

Photo of Courtesy Nash

Dogs are natural born explorers with little regard for a map or compass, relying solely on their olfactory senses and stellar hearing capabilities. They can hear and smell interesting stimuli that is outside the perimeter of your yard. Unfortunately, these senses may not always be enough to lead them back to home sweet home. Because there is nothing more upsetting than a lost dog, it is highly important your yard is fully fenced in to prevent this from happening. If your dog is a jumper or a large breed dog, make sure to install a tall fence that is sturdy, strong, and can resist the repeated pressure of your dog jumping against it. If your dog likes to dig, it is crucial to reinforce the fence in order to deter your pooch from recreating a scene out of The Great Escape and tunneling to the other side. Make sure the fence is placed deep in the ground so this scenario cannot happen. Do not place objects like garbage cans near a fence that your canine can jump on and use as a trampoline to hop over the fence. Remember, if you are an owner that leaves your dog chained to a tree in the yard, it is not the safest option if you are not there to monitor and there is no fence. The rope or chain can easily break and your dog can get loose.

Lawn Maintenance

Before applying fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides, remove any water bowls or dog toys from the yard. Wait until chemicals have completely dried up. Some sources suggest waiting up to four days before allowing your dog to go out in the yard. Consider applying the chemicals in shifts and monitor your pup when outside to ensure he or she steers clear of the infected area for the suggested time frame. Keep chemicals in its original packaging and store them in a spot your pet cannot access. According to the ASPCA Poison Control Center, cocoa mulch, if heavily ingested can have a similar effect on dogs as chocolate causing vomiting and diarrhea, so steer clear of this mulch. The most poisonous pesticides for dogs are slug and snail bait, gopher and rat poison, fly bait and systemic insecticides. For the safety of your precious pooch, it is best to invest in natural, organic, and chemical-free lawn substances to avoid this situation all together.

Photo Courtesy of tar0

Holes

The potholes that continue to plague your driveway every year after winter may make you crazy but you should also turn your attention to the divets and holes dotting your grassy yard. If your dog takes off after a squirrel or rabbit and their paw happens to land in a hole, your pooch is liable to strain a muscle or sprain an ankle. Patch up holes with topsoil and replant grass in these areas. Enlist the help of a landscaper if lawn maintenance is not your speciality.

Letting your dog out in the backyard should be an easy way for your pooch to enjoy the outdoors. If you follow these simple steps to safeguard your yard for Fido, it can be a walk in the park. 

5 Ways to Go Green with Your Pets

We've all been told many ways we can green our homes and businesses. But what about our pets? You'll be glad to know that there are some simple ways to make their existence eco-friendly as well. From reducing your pet's carbon pawprint to making your home and yard a safe place for your pets to play, here are five ways to make an environmental difference.

1) Adopt your pet from an animal shelter or rescue group. ASPCA Executive VP Stephen Zawistowski estimates that nearly 12 million dogs and cats are brought to New York City animal shelters each year and about a third are euthanized because there are not enough homes available. By adopting, you will be shopping locally--you're getting a pet that was born in your neighborhood and will stay there.

2) Spay or neuter your pet. If your pet hasn't already been spayed (females) or neutered (males) when you get them, make sure you have this done as soon as safely possible. Spaying and neutering help to reduce the number of unwanted pets and helps prevent many diseases common to "intact" animals. According to pet author Karen Lee Stevens, your pet will be healthier and require less trips to the vet, therefore decreasing the number of greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere from your car.

3) Use natural cleaning and grooming products. Common cleansers like Lysol and bleach are toxic to pets, can cause digestive upset, mouth irritation and even liver damage. Fortunately, there are natural, inexpensive cleaning options right in your own cabinet. Some of the best include distilled vinegar, baking soda and lemons, both for scrubbing and for getting rid of odors. And rather than using pet shampoos that contain chemicals like propylene glycol, opt for herbal products derived from plant-based and other natural sources. Don't forget your paper towel usage counts, too. Sally Deen, of Dog Fancy magazine tells us to try to cut down on your use, and find recycled paper towels to get the job done.

4) Use eco-friendly pet products. From cat litter to collars, there are plenty of choices for the green-friendly pet owner. Your typical cat litter is clay-based, which comes from strip-mining the ground and wreaking havoc on the environment. Instead, try litters made of corn, wood pulp and pine. Toys are easy--walk into any pet supply store these days and you are likely to find a selection of pet entertainment options made of organic or recycled materials. Better yet, save money and the Earth by offering up an old sock, cardboard box or newspaper as a toy for your pet. You can find bedding made of recycled fibers, organic food and collars. You might even consider moving your pet to a part-time vegetarian diet to cut down on the energy required to raise and produce edible meats.

5) Stay chemical-free outside the house. Even if you switch the products you're using on your floors and counters, the lawn is likely to be teeming with pesticides that are harmful to both your pet and the environment. Garden centers have caught onto the fact that people don't want to ingest toxic chemicals, and they certainly don't want their children or pets to, either. Therefore, they have developed and begun offering outdoor products made of all-natural ingredients and educating home owners about organic techniques for producing a thriving yard or garden. Visit your local garden center for some expert tips on this "growing" practice.

With a little effort and some ingenuity, you can make a safer, more natural life for your pets...and tread a little bit more lightly on our one and only planet Earth.