4 Steps for a Pet Safe Yard

Our pets give us love, support, and countless hours of entertainment. It makes sense, then, that we would want to provide for them and ensure their safety. But in many cases, our own back yards pose the potential for hazard and harm. Here are four tips that will help make your yard a pet safe yard.

Stay Away from Spray

Insects are a major nuisance, but if you have pets, or wildlife frequents your yard, spraying insecticide could be dangerous. Most pesticides contain harmful ingredients that can be deadly if ingested. Even skin contact poses a problem. As the animal walks on a freshly sprayed surface, the chemicals rub off on its paws, where they can enter the body through cracks or cuts on the feet or when it licks its paws. If you decide to use these products, always read labels carefully to identify any risks, and never let pets walk on the lawn until the chemicals have fully dissipated.

Sticks and Ticks 

Ticks have become a major problem in the Mid-Atlantic region in recent years. Often encountered in tall grasses and brush, ticks also are found on the ground on fallen twigs, branches, and leaves. Given the increase in their numbers, it’s likely your pet will come in contact with them if it spends any time outside. Using tick prevention products should keep pets safe from receiving tick bites, which not only cause pain and irritation, but can transmit serious diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease in both pets and humans.

Fences Make Good Pet Parents & Pet Safe Yard

If you’ve ever watched a dog run, you know how much they love the activity. But sometimes the excitement of chasing a rabbit or squirrel leads them into the street where they could be struck by a vehicle, or perhaps just far away from your home and risk getting lost. Even when kept on a chain or leash, the device could break, leaving them free to roam. That’s why many pet owners opt for the safety and security that pet fencing provides.

But not just any fence will do. While small dogs should be safe within 4-foot fences, medium and large dogs are strong jumpers, so it’s advised to go with a fence at least 6-feet high. You’ll also want a fairly solid fence, as gaps and openings, such as those in split-rail fences and sometimes aluminum or wrought iron fences, may allow animals to escape. For that reason, wooden and vinyl privacy fences and chain-link fences are often recommended for keeping pets safe. 

Watch What You Grow

Gardens are beautiful, but they can also be deadly if an animal eats the wrong thing. In fact, many of the most attractive and oft-planted flora are toxic to cats and dogs. Azaleas, bluebell bulbs, kalanchoe, oleander, and rhododendron pose a dire risk to a pet’s heart health, while daffodils, hydrangeas, and wild mushrooms are other common species that are incredibly dangerous when devoured. If you’re not sure what’s growing in your garden, keep pets away.

At Excel Fencing & Decking, you could say installing pet fences is our pet project. So, if you’re in need of affordable fencing in Baltimore and beyond, give our office a call. Whatever the size, style, or material, our installation crew has the experience and knowledge to tackle any project.