The dog days of summer are living up to their name. When temperatures climb, your pup isn’t the only one feeling the heat—your lawn is taking a beating, too.
Between the blazing August sun, dry grass, digging, bathroom breaks, and those wild backyard zoomies, keeping a yard looking good when you have a dog can feel like an impossible task. But you don’t necessarily have to choose between a happy pup and a healthy lawn.
According to landscaping experts at LawnStarter, a few smart changes can help you create a dog-friendly backyard that gives your four-legged family member a place to play while helping your lawn survive the summer.
1. Design Your Yard Around Your Dog’s Personality
Before you start changing your landscaping, think about how your dog actually uses the yard.
Do you have a digger who believes there’s buried treasure under every patch of grass? Consider creating a designated digging area or sandbox where your pup can dig without destroying the rest of the lawn.
If your dog is a runner, you’ve probably already noticed those well-worn paths around the fence or through certain areas of the yard. Instead of constantly trying to regrow grass there, embrace your dog’s natural route by covering frequently traveled paths with mulch.
You can also turn some of that zoomie energy into playtime by adding a simple dog agility course.
And for the pups who can’t resist water, a doggy pool can provide a designated place to splash, play, and cool off during those hot August afternoons.
2. Create a Backyard That Engages Their Senses
A dog-friendly yard doesn’t have to be all about running and playing. Your landscaping can also give your pup opportunities to explore with their nose.
Dogs have an incredibly powerful sense of smell, and adding interesting scents around the yard can provide mental stimulation that may help reduce boredom and destructive outdoor behaviors.
LawnStarter suggests incorporating plants such as basil, common thyme, and succulents like hens and chicks into your landscaping.
Before adding any new plants to a pet-friendly yard, however, it’s always smart to double-check that they’re safe for your specific pets—especially if you have a dog who likes to nibble on anything within reach.
3. Put Those Grass Clippings to Work
You might want to think twice before bagging up all those grass clippings after mowing.
Leaving grass clippings on your lawn can act as a natural, pet-friendly fertilizer. The clippings return nutrients to the soil while also helping shade grass roots and keep the soil cooler.
During hot summer weather, that extra protection may help your lawn recover from heat stress—and from all those paws running across it.
It’s also a simple way to reuse something you already have rather than immediately reaching for another lawn product.
Don’t Forget About Shade and Water
While you’re making your yard more dog-friendly, remember that summer safety comes first.
Make sure your pup always has access to fresh water and a shady place to escape the sun. Even a beautiful backyard isn’t a safe place for extended play when temperatures become dangerously high.
Keep an eye on hot surfaces, too. Patios, decks, artificial turf, and other surfaces can become uncomfortable or even dangerous for sensitive paws after sitting in direct sunlight.
Sometimes the best backyard activity on an extremely hot afternoon is a quick potty break followed by a return to the air conditioning.
A Backyard Both You and Your Dog Can Enjoy
Creating a dog-friendly landscape doesn’t mean giving your entire yard over to your four-legged family member. It’s about paying attention to your dog’s natural habits and designing around them instead of constantly fighting them.
Give the digger somewhere to dig. Give the runner a path. Give the water-loving pup somewhere to splash. And give your lawn a little help surviving all those adventures.
Because let’s face it: the zoomies aren’t going anywhere.
You might as well create a backyard that’s ready for them.
