Homes are often characterized as sanctuaries for their residents. Though such characterizations often are made in reference to humans and their domiciles, homes also should be safe spaces for pets.
Pet owners go to great lengths to ensure their pets are healthy and happy, and that typically includes efforts to ensure their home interiors are free of hazards that could affect their furry friends. But there are various threats to pet health in a yard as well. Recognition of those threats and what can be done to minimize them can ensure exterior spaces are as safe for pets as areas inside the home.
• Mulch: Mulch is found in many yards, as it adds aesthetic appeal to a landscape and helps soil retain moisture, which can safeguard trees, plants and flowers from drought and the dog days of summer. But some mulch contains theobromine, a chemical compound that can be toxic and may even be lethal to dogs when ingested. Pet owners are urged to use mulch that does not contain theobromine, which is typically found in cocoa mulch.
• Flower: The mulch around flowers can be toxic to pets, and so can the blooms themselves. Lilies, tulips, hydrangeas, and azaleas are just some of the popular flowers that can cause stomach upset in pets. Pet owners are urged to speak with their veterinarians about flowers and plants native to their areas that might be toxic to pets.
• Wildlife: A collaborative study from researchers at the University of Michigan, the University of Washington and University College London published in 2024 warned that the overlap between humans and animals will increase considerably over the next half century. Climate change and human population growth are driving forces behind that increase, which suburban homeowners may already be witnessing. As more and more wooded areas are leveled to create additional housing, wildlife such as deer, racoons, opossum, foxes, and more are losing their habitats and subsequently being seen with greater frequency in suburban neighborhoods. Wildlife can carry disease that can make domesticated animals sick, and some wildlife might go on the attack when they encounter cats or dogs in backyards. Monitoring pets whenever they’re outside, sealing garbage cans so wildlife is not attracted to the yard and keeping compost piles free of foods that might draw wildlife to a yard are some of the ways to reduce the chances of interactions between wild animals and domesticated pets.
These are just a handful of threats to pet health that might be lurking in your backyard. Always keep an eye on pets when they’re outdoors and speak with a veterinarian to identify ways to minimize backyard threats.
