Having a garden is something that many people dream about having in their yard and it can be a great aesthetic and functional feature to have. From flowers and plants to edibles, the possibilities for what you can have in a garden. If you have pets who typically roam around outside however, there are many things you will need to be aware of when planting in order to keep both your garden and your pets safe. There are many plants that can be very dangerous and harmful to your pets. If you have pets and are planting a garden and setting up your backyard in general, here are some helpful tips and tricks to follow to keep everything safe.

Many people use mulches in their backyards for gardens, but there are some kinds of mulch that can be very harmful to your pets if they get into it. Cocoa mulch can cause serious heart issues in pets if consumed so this is a big one to make sure to stay away from. As far as the plants themselves are concerned, there are several different species you should steer clear from in order to keep your pets as safe as possible. Some of the more common poisonous flowers that can be very harmful to your pets are yews and azaleas. Other key plants to avoid when planting your garden and keeping your pets safe are species such as milkweed, lilies, and tulips. These are all very common plants that are found in gardens today yet the danger that lurks in their chemical makeup can be fatal if your pet ingests them.Check out the list of plants to avoid from our friends at www.aspca.org here.

Plants can also attract bees very easily and if your pet can be in great danger if they are stung. A quick reaction is key to keeping your pet safe following a bee sting. Scrape the stinger out as soon as you can and get them to a veterinarian if swelling hasn't gone down and your pet is having visible struggles.

In the summertime, having a pool in your backyard is a great luxury to have. A pool can be a potential problem however if you do not take the proper safety precautions. Installing some kind of fence around the pool is a great way to keep your pets from getting into the water that contains toxic chemicals if swallowed. This also prevents them from falling into a covered pool which is a quick recipe for disaster as they can get tangled in the cover or the straps.

Having a garden or a wall set up backyard is a great thing to have in the summer, but make sure to follow some of these tips and tricks to make it as safe of a place as possible.