Establishing a good garden for pets

Contrary to popular belief, pets and gardens are compatible. All you need is some creativity to accommodate both of them. However, because the animal is part of your life, you have to consider meeting his or her needs a given when setting out to lay out your yard and garden. Your biggest concern may be where your pets “do their business.” Dog and cat urine can create brown spots in lawns (because it’s too high in nitrogen), especially when the pet is a creature of habit and returns to the same spot over and over again. Just water the area to dilute, and the problem should go away.

Dusting the area with gypsum can also help. Either bury or scoop pet poop — your decision. Just never add this waste to a compost pile or spot where edible plants are growing, because cats and dogs aren’t vegetarians, and meat waste products don’t belong there. Pet feces can contain harmful bacteria, parasites, or other disease-causing organisms.
Dogs seem to have two basic outdoor needs:

• Water to drink: Place a large bowl of fresh water in a spot where your dog can get direct access to it without trampling through valued plants and where no humans will step on it. Replenish the water often, as it may collect debris, dry up, or get too warm if in the sun.
• Shade to rest in: Your dog may have his or her own ideas about which shrubs or trees to rest under, but you can influence your pooch’s decision by trimming away lower branches so scooting into the spot is easier. You can also create and fill in a “sand beach” area, which also allows unfettered and non-destructive digging, if your pooch is a digging sort. If you want to have a fenced-in “dog run” area, make sure it has sheltering shade throughout the day in some part and that the run is in a spot where you can see and/or hear your pet (so you don’t forget about your four-legged friend!). Dogs don’t like to “do their business” in the same place where they rest or play, so the run needs to big enough to allow for both activities.

Outdoor cats need clean, cool water, too, and they also like the sanctuary of a safe, shady spot where they can observe undetected or undisturbed. Watch where they go and improve it for them if you can with extra protection (like their own small, simple cat house) and more space. Note: The sand beach idea is not for cats; they’ll think it’s an outdoor litter box! Sometimes cats use tree trunks as scratching posts; little trees can’t tolerate this abuse of their outer bark, so rig a collar of tape or wire to prevent the damage.

If you do bring pet birds in cages outside, do so only temporarily — birds tend to be sensitive to cold nights, wind, or hot sun. Make sure they have plenty of water. And don’t leave caged birds outdoors unattended. Vermin are sometimes attracted to the feed in their cages, and curious wild birds that can pass on diseases often visit.

If you have pets, be careful about the gardening products you use and where you store them. Plan to keep the critters indoors after fertilizing or spraying until the packaging says it’s safe. You may also want to consider what you choose to grow and where you plant it: If animals eat a plant that doesn’t agree with them, up it comes — on your living room floor! In some cases, a trip to the vet may be in order.

Visit the Animal Poison Control Center Web site at
www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc ,for more information.