The best gardens are those you can share—not just with loved ones, but with your furry companions too. Designing and maintaining a pet-friendly garden isn’t all that different from creating a standard one, but there are a few key things to keep in mind.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to build a safe, stylish outdoor space your pets can enjoy right alongside you—with expert tips on choosing the right plants and protective features.
Why Build a Pet-Friendly Garden?
There are so many great reasons to make your garden pet-friendly—but the biggest one? We only have so many years with our pets. Creating a safe outdoor environment for them means you don’t have to choose between garden time and quality time.
Your garden should be a place everyone in your home (four-legged family members included!) can enjoy.
Plants to Avoid in a Pet-Friendly Garden
One of the most exciting parts of designing a garden is choosing what to plant. But not every beautiful bloom is safe for pets.
🛑 Toxic Plants
Some plants are toxic to cats and dogs, especially if your pets tend to nibble on anything they find. Here are a few common ones to steer clear of:
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Lilies
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Lily of the valley
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Foxglove
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Azaleas
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Hostas
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English ivy
Always double-check plant safety using a reputable source like the ASPCA’s toxic plant database.
🌸 Fragile Flowers
Even if a plant isn’t toxic, some are just too delicate to hold up to zoomies or digging paws.
If you have an energetic dog (or a curious cat), you may want to skip soft-stemmed flowers like:
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Dahlias
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Bleeding hearts
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Other dainty perennials
Instead, go for resilient groundcovers, shrubs, or plants that regenerate quickly—so they bounce back after a spirited game of fetch or chase.
How to Protect Your Plants (Without Excluding Your Pets)
Creating a pet-friendly space doesn’t mean your plants are free game. There are stylish and simple ways to give your greenery a little protection without fencing off the entire garden.
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Low fences, decorative borders, or raised beds can all help keep paws off delicate areas.
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For dogs that like to mark territory, consider strategically placed stones or statues to redirect their attention away from your prized peonies.
These gentle deterrents can help strike the perfect balance between freedom and preservation.
Other Design Tips for a Pet-Friendly Garden
The key to a harmonious garden is to design with your pets in mind from the start.
Think about how your dog or cat naturally moves through the yard and build pathways and play areas around that. If they always cut through a certain bed—maybe it’s time to give them a trail there instead.
Want to go the extra mile? Create a dedicated pet zone with:
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A shady nook or pet-sized pergola
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A kiddie pool or splash pad
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A sandbox filled with toys
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A soft outdoor bed for lounging
These additions give pets a place to play and relax—without disturbing the rest of your garden.
Flexibility Is the Secret Ingredient
Even if you’ve laid the groundwork (literally) for a pet-friendly garden, things will change—your pet may develop new habits or the seasons might affect your layout. The best gardeners stay flexible, observing and adjusting as they go.
Because in the end, a successful garden isn’t just about pretty plants—it’s about creating a space you love to live in, together.
