natural pet
Create a Dog-Friendly Yard Plants, Paths and Play Areas to Wag a Tail by Karen Shaw Becker
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ackyards can be sanctuaries, filled with gardens and landscaping. For homeowners with dogs, consider “dogscaping”. It’s a term coined by landscape designer Maureen Gilmer of Palm Springs, California, who wrote the e-book The Dog-Scaped Yard. Gilmer points out that nobody asks Fido his opinion on how to landscape the yard, “yet he spends more time there than anyone else.” The yard should be a safe and secure place for the family dog, so fencing may be necessary to give ample room to roam. Lawn chemicals on grass are linked to cancer in dogs, so those are best avoided. Some people choose to go beyond grass to create a rich environment for the dog to explore. Gilmer recommends planting a meadow, complete with tall grasses and perennials, where the prized pet can investigate the terrain. Low troughs of wheat grass are good for a dog to nibble on and may discourage him from chewing on ornamental flowers and plants. Some dogs also enjoy rose hips from Rosa rugosa plants.
Flea-Repelling Herbs Many herbs were once known as “fleabane” because they could repel fleas. Plant a fleabane garden to discourage these pests from moving in and finding the dogs. “When my dog Dot rubs against them, I can smell the aromatic oils on her fur,” Gilmer notes. Suitable plants for this garden include pennyroyal (Mentha, pulegium), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), fleawort (Erigeron canadense), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), sweet bay (Laurus nobilis) and eucalyptus. The plants can also be dried and added to a dog’s bedding for a more natural flea repellant. When choosing the best locations for herbs and flowers, consider keeping about 18 inches around the border of the yard free from plants. Because dogs regularly tend to patrol the boundary of their territory, any plants on this trail may get trampled.
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Provide Thoughtful Areas for the Dog
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Sarasota/Manatee Edition
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Dogs love to dig, but if it has become a problem, it could be because the dog is trying to uncover a cool spot to rest. Gilmer recommends being proactive by digging a shallow pit where a dog can comfortably fit in a shady spot. Line it with sand to prevent it from turning into a mud pit and keep it damp. In warm weather, a dog can retreat to this cooling-off spot.
