Reckless Gardener - Pets in the Garden

We are having a fantastic summer and making the most of our outdoor spaces. So too are our pets and this has prompted The Pet Health Council to issue some tips for pet owners so that both you and your pet can make the most of your garden this summer.

Designated and Forbidden areas! One of the best ways to maintain harmony in the garden is to set up designated areas in the garden and train your pet to understand what behaviour is acceptable and where.

Shady Spot: One of your pet's key needs during the summer is shade. Although a few pets enjoy sunbathing it is important that there is a shaded area to escape to if they begin to overheat. Dogs can be trained to go to the shade, so consider training them this summer. Make sure that this basic need is met by planting durable large plants in a corner to provide a place for your pet to rest and cool down away from the dangers of the sun.

Cats and dogs can suffer from sunburn and even skin cancer. During the summer months strong sunscreen, such as factor 50 should be applied to the ears of white eared cats and rabbits, and to the muzzles of dogs with white or pink muzzles and scarce hair. If you are unsure, ask your vet for advice. Remember that the heat inside cars, kennels, hutches, greenhouses and conservatories can become very warm, sometimes dangerously so, during hot weather.

Feeding Time: It is not recommended to feed your pet outside: remember food outdoors attracts flies and wasps, so uneaten food can be fly-blown in minutes and it quickly 'goes off' in the heat. Leftovers also attract mice that may carry diseases which can be transmitted to pets. A water bowl outside in the shade is a good idea so that pets have access to drinking water both indoors and out.

Digging : It is instinctive for dogs to dig, however, it is not behaviour that most gardeners want to encourage and it can cause health concerns, if stones and gravel get caught in paws. Keeping your dog fed and stimulated with other activities is one of the best ways of stop him from digging.

Basic obedience training will keep your dog away from fragile plants and fertilised earth, which is particularly attractive to dogs. Animals that eat plants, compost or manure must be dissuaded since they are at risk of getting a taste for it and transmitting disease.

Repellents: An easy trick to keep your dog away from fresh garden beds is to sprinkle forbidden areas with specific pet/garden repellents that come in granule or spray form. Read instructions carefully before using any garden chemical at all. Even so called 'natural' products can be dangerous to some animals. To deter cats, oil of citronella should do the trick as they hate the smell of citrus. Coleus Canina, also known as the scaredy cat plant, is very effective to repel cats and dogs. It is available from most garden centres. Another option is commercial products from your local pet shop.

Litter box : To avoid brown patches on your lawn, create an outdoor litter box for both cats and dogs. To integrate it into the garden and offer your pet some privacy you can also surround the litter tray with plants.

(Make sure that the plants are safe by checking the list of poisonous plants for animals. Concentrated urine scalds the grass and kills conifers.

Plants: By choosing your garden plants carefully you can not only have a garden which looks fantastic, but one that also offers your pets entertainment and protects them from potential dangers.

Cat Nip and Cast Iron : Cats have always been highly attracted to cat nip, and it is as easy to grow as mint. Dogs love movement and swinging plants make perfect entertainment for them.

Poison and allergies: There are many plants which are poisonous to animals. Lillies, especially the pollen from the stamens of the Amaryllis, are particularly toxic to cats and can cause vomiting and kidney failure if not ingested directly. Remember that pollen can fall in your pets' coats or food bowls.

Other common garden plants to watch out for are lupins, tulips, cyclamen, oleander, buttercups, daffodils, cowslips and ivy and the bean in the castor oil plant. Toxic shrubs and trees include yew, rhododendron and laburnum. Note that onions are quite toxic for dogs as well. Pets can suffer from pollen allergies. If your dog is really suffering then talk to your vet as a vaccination is available.

Insects: Fleas are most prolific during hot and rainy summers. It is essential that you regularly use an anti-flea treatment throughout the entire year but if you see fleas or ticks in your pet's coat, effective products are available (shampoos and sprays) from your vet or pharmacist. Stings from wasps and bees are also a problem during the summer. Try to teach your pets not to chase insects. If your pet is stung, phone your veterinary surgeon for advice. Multiple stings and stings in the mouth can be very serious.

Fertilizers and pesticides: Make sure that you keep your pet indoors whilst applying fertilizers and insecticides to your garden. When buying products for your garden always read the instructions carefully and try to select products that have least potential effect on children, pets and wildlife. Safer slug pellets are also available now and these state that children and pets do not need to be excluded. Biological control methods are extremely effective and safe. For example nematodes that have a specific action against slugs and snails can be watered into borders and are very effective. Ensure that your pet does not walk on newly treated lawns as paws can become infected from fertilizers and weedkillers. It is also dangerous for them to chew on plants that have just been sprayed with chemicals – such as antifungals and anti-insects. It is recommended to wait 24 hours before allowing your pet back into the garden after you have been using fertilizers or pesticides. Remember to label watering cans that are kept for applying chemicals.

Tools: When gardening, keep tools and machinery well away from your pet as they might be tempted to play with them and consequently injure themselves. A useful tip is to paint your garden tools a bright colour so you can see them out in the garden.

And finally, remember to keep animals away from the barbeque and to keep a close eye on your pet around swimming pools and ponds. Making sure your fencing is in good condition will also help to secure the area for your animals and stop them straying.