WHETHER it’s a friendly wet nose nudging for attention or a sleek, whiskered body curling into your lap, our pets bring not only daily joy but genuine companionship and a deep sense of wellbeing.
Australians are unmistakably devoted to their animals. With one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world, around 73 per cent of households own a pet. That equates to an extraordinary 31.6 million animals, far outnumbering the human population.
With this in mind, it is little surprise that pet owners are increasingly investing in outdoor spaces designed with their animals in mind. Beyond simple shelter, these areas are becoming thoughtful, dedicated environments. Pet patios, or ‘petios’, are on the rise, alongside backyards transformed into true pet paradises.
From pet-safe plants and designated ‘dig zones’ to secure fencing and screening, below are a few examples of what devoted owners are doing across their backyards.
Begin by crafting a pet-friendly outdoor space with clearly defined areas. Use secure fencing to prevent great escapes, establish pathways to protect garden beds, and create designated toileting zones.
Remove any toxic plants such as tulips, bulbs and oleander, and instead choose pet-safe options like ferns, marigolds, roses and blueberry bushes. Harsh chemical fertilisers should also be avoided. With a little research, you can create a garden that is both pet-safe and beautifully lush.
With a soft pad of the paw and an endless sniff, dogs just love to patrol the perimeter, making fence lines an ideal place for paw-friendly paths. A smooth paved or crushed granite pathway along property lines helps deter them from trampling garden beds.
Whether for joy, instinct or simply to cool off, dogs love to dig. To prevent destruction among prized shrubbery, designate a specific sandbox or loose soil area with buried toys and treats to redirect their enthusiasm.
When inevitable ‘rough patches’ occur in your lawn, replace them with hardwearing ground covers such as artificial turf, self-repairing buffalo grass or clover.
Keep your pets high and dry with an off-the-ground kennel, doghouse or covered pergola, and add natural cooling shade with native trees like bottlebrush or lilly pilly.
Most important of all, always keep a heavy, non-tip water bowl of water in the shade and for hot days, set up a shallow paddling pool, it can really bring those beloved over-heated paws some very welcomed relief.
