40+ Pet-Friendly Backyard Designs To Make Pets Feel Right At Home
By Ishita p
This article was originally published on mydiwise
Backyards are a great way to enhance your home. You can do so much with the space. You can turn it into a beautiful green garden, a fabulous patio, a creative dining space, and more. In a well-designed yard, you can always relax and have a great time alone or with friends. But when you have a pet, it’s even more important to have a comfortable backyard. Aside from being an easy spot to relieve themselves, yards can provide endless hours of entertainment where they can get their energy out — with more space to move around, zoomies are cute rather than destructive. With that in mind, we’ve put together some creative and fun ways to turn your backyard into a pet-friendly space.A Space Full of Sand
One of the main reasons people love hitting the beach is because of the sand. Whether building sandcastles or writing your name on the sand, almost everyone loves to do these activities. However, this love for playing with sand is not only limited to human beings. Dogs love sand, too.
Shower Amidst the Nature
Showering your pet at frequent intervals is essential to maintain their health and hygiene. And, of course, having a soft coat and a good smell is a benefit for every dog owner. However, actually getting your pet into the shower is one of the biggest challenges.
The Ladder of Ease
Most pet owners create a pet door on their house’s lower levels so that their fur babies can gain access to the outside world and explore to their heart’s content. But now, it’s time to unleash your creativity and try something unique for your pet.
A Scenic Dog Pond
Certain elements have the power to enhance your outdoor simply by their presence, and one such thing is a pond. Having a pond in your backyard will not only serve as the center of attraction for your exterior, but it will also give your dog great company.
The Great Fence of Safety
Dogs are natural explorers. They love roaming in the outside world, and perhaps this is why they do not like always being confined to their habitat. Running around and going on some great escapades at times is in their blood.
A Screened Runway
Every time the Fashion Week or the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is around the corner, we get excited to watch the models take the runway and determine who has the best and strongest catwalk. But here’s the truth — cats have the best ‘catwalk!’
The Fence with a Window
One of the most common ways to keep pets safe in your yard is a fence. The problem, though, with traditional wooden fences is that your pet can’t see the world outside your yard. Even if they can’t run around beyond your property, they love looking at what else is out there.
A Peaceful Dog Pool
Hitting the beach or going to the pool for a relaxing swim can sometimes be the happiest moments of our lives. But, then, why should it be any different for your pets? Some also love to engage in some swimming sessions.
A Treehouse for Your Cat
A treehouse is one of the best places you can create memories that last a lifetime. So, if you have spent much of your childhood in a treehouse, you may feel a bit of nostalgia reading this. But now, it’s time to recreate this nostalgic moment for your little kitty.
A Ladder for Goats
While they’re not as common to keep as pets, goats have found their way into the homes of many. If you’re a goat owner, you surely know how much they love climbing on just about any surface they can find.
A Shed Filled with Shade
Outdoors are indeed one of the favorite places for pets. But you must keep in mind that when your pet is outdoors, they are exposed to several weather conditions like scorching heat or sudden downpours, which can make them sick.
Fence with a Peeping Glass
Nowadays, almost all doors have a built-in peephole. Every time there’s a knock on your door, this hole comes in handy for you to peep outside and see who the visitor is. They also help maintain the security and safety of you and your house.
Running Ground for Rabbits
Although rabbits are smaller than dogs, and you might not think they need as much space, they love hopping around as far as their enclosure will let them. If you have a yard, it’s the perfect place to create an open space for your bunnies to explore.
Playground for Your Pet
Most of us have a favorite sport or activity, and the same goes for our pets. Moreover, the more your pets play, the more they tire themselves out. For more active pets, consider adding a play area for your pets in your yard.
Pet-Centric Garden
Having a garden in the backyard can immediately make your entire home look more visually appealing and welcoming. However, having a garden with pets at home can be a bit of a dangerous combination. Since pets love to run around, they may step on your plants and damage them.
Little Corner of Grass
Planning a personal space for your pet is easy when you have a home with a huge backyard. But the real challenge occurs when you live in an apartment or a building in the city that doesn’t facilitate a spacious backyard or lawn.
The Wheel of Fun
Be it humans or pets, some forms of exercise are essential for everyone to maintain one’s health and well-being from within. Dogs, however, may not be fancy about hitting the gym, but that doesn’t mean they have to steer away from fitness.
The Comfort Zone
Lofts are a fantastic place to have in your home. It gives you a space to lounge around and relax all day long. Hanging around in the loft also gives you peace and calmness. So then, why not construct the same for your dog?
Mini-Amusement Park for Pets
Amusement parks are one of the best places that make us feel alive. From the twists and turns of the roller coaster rides to the heart-sinking ferris wheel rides, they are filled with thrill and fun. You always leave these parks feeling refreshed and contented.
Plants for Pets
Plants make us feel tranquil. Being surrounded by them gives us the power to eliminate all the stress we have in our lives. They not only have a healing effect but also have an enhancing effect as they make the indoors and outdoors look pleasant.
A Pet Door in Disguise
As we’ve mentioned before, many people have a pet door for their furry companions to enter and exit their homes with ease. If you want to add some flair and creativity to your boring pet door, consider adding a covering in front of it.
View from the Top
Imagine if we had wings and could fly! The bird-eye view of the world would probably make us appreciate the world more, right? We get a glimpse of it through airplanes and helicopters, so it’s time to let your cats enjoy this view, too.
Garden with Bird Feeders
A backyard without a garden feels like it’s missing something, right? Gardens add beauty and enchantment to your residence and make it feel homier. But having the right decor items in your garden is essential. Bird feeders are one of the best things you can add to your backyard garden.
Water World
Going to the water park and enjoying the slides and water rides is always fun. However, this enjoyment should not only be limited to us humans. With some clever planning, you can give your pets the opportunity to experience the fun, too.
Space for Some Sweet Sleep
We all love taking naps. Many studies even suggest that getting a short afternoon sleep is beneficial for your health and well-being. The same goes for pets. While they love jumping around and playing, they’re not immune to a little afternoon shut-eye.
Pet Landmark
Sure it’s cliche, but there’s something about dogs and fire hydrants. While they don’t mind marking any spot, many seem to gravitate towards these structures. Why not give them a fun place to relieve themselves with a fire hydrant in your yard.
Security Fence for Cats
Cats may be cute, but that should not blind you from the fact that they are one of the most mischievous pets one can own. Unlike dogs, cats may not be polite enough to listen to your commands and act accordingly.
A Pawsome Patio
Patios can sometimes be the most beautiful and functional space in your home. You can do so much with a patio; from unleashing your creativity and decorating it in numerous ways to turning it into a cozy dining space or a relaxing lounge.
An Innovative Hutch
Rabbits are such cute and fun pets to have around, but they are too fugitive by nature. Hence, leaving them outdoors can be unsafe, and keeping them indoors may bore them. So, try constructing a rabbit hutch for them with a touch of innovation.
Creative Cat Ladder
If there was an Olympics tournament for animals, there is no denying that cats would receive the gold medal for being excellent jumpers. One minute they’re there, and in the next minute, they’re ten feet away. In fact, these feline creatures seem to be playing hide and seek 24/7.
A Runway for Dogs
If you had a running race with your dog, who’s more likely to win? Unless you’re Usain Bolt, the answer is surely “your dog.” And this proves the fact that once they start running, it can be too hard for you to catch them.
Rabbit Fun Zone
Rabbits love having fun, and if your idea is to confine them indoors with just a small space allotted to them, you may be depriving them of their enjoyment. But again, rabbits are too fugitive, so the best thing you can do is let them be free in a large space enclosed with fences.
A Stop for Treats and Water
You may love cuddling your dogs and want to hug them forever, but sometimes they love running around more than getting pets. So, letting them loose is essential. But due to this rigorous movement, they tend to get tired and exhausted frequently.
The Roller Bar Barrier
Of all the pets you can own, cats are probably the naughtiest. They are always full of energy, and the only time you can see them stay still is perhaps when they’re taking a nap or enjoying some delicious treats.
Pumpkin Treat for Your Chickens
Chickens are omnivores, so you can almost always find them pecking at the ground, looking for some tasty bugs to eat. Of course, they’re also fond of fruits and vegetables. Why not give them a special treat on November 1st.
A Turtle Habitat
Turtles are one of the cutest pets you can own. But as most people usually prefer cats or dogs, you can be amongst those few who hold a penchant for rearing and nurturing turtles at home. Besides, having a turtle can also put your backyard to good use.
The Tug of Dogs
As said before, dogs love running and playing around. However, you may be busy and not have enough time to play with them all the time, which may lead your furry friend to bother you more by bringing over toys to play with.
Pretty Backyard Aquariums
Although you can’t cuddle them like dogs and cats, many people prefer having pet fish as they’re relatively low maintenance. Aside from giving you company, these aquatic creatures also add an element of beauty and refreshment to your home. However, most people keep their fish indoors in a small aquarium.
A Dog-Centric Gym
For more active dogs, having just one activity in your yard might not be enough. Sure, they’ll love a hanging tug toy or ladders to climb on, but they’ll still want more to interact with. So why not give them a bit of everything!
Duck Coop with a Pool
Ducks are one of the prettiest creatures ever to grace the earth. Only a slight sight of them fills our souls with happiness and makes us believe that the world is beautiful. So, if you have ducks in your home, it’s time to give your backyard an upgrade.
Durable Green Paving
This one applies to all kinds of pets. If you are a pet parent, you know just how much animals love to be outside. As such, it’s important to ensure they have a nice dedicated area where they can be free to run around and play.