This spring, pet owners rethink what earns a place in their gardens. Shoppers read plant tags carefully, weighing toxicity alongside bloom time and color before anything goes into their carts. As February opens the growing season, pet-friendly gardening moves to the forefront, indicating a lasting shift in how families plan yards meant to be safe for every member of the household.
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Retailers and growers move quickly as new plant collections arrive in late winter. Stores expand non-toxic selections, updating signage and making safer choices easier to spot. Industry forecasts for 2026 point to pet-conscious design as a guiding force for households that see the backyard as a shared living space.
Pet-friendly gardening becomes a priority
About 66% of U.S. households own a pet, placing animal care at the center of daily life for millions of families. Americans increasingly design their yards around how pets move, rest and play, turning backyards into active spaces that serve as play zones, exercise tracks and quiet retreats.
February often sets the pace for early-season purchases as seed catalogs arrive and nurseries debut new plant collections. With preorders underway, shoppers look for clear safety cues before committing. In response, many garden centers group nontoxic plants in dedicated sections and add paw-print icons to tags to guide buyers toward safer choices.
Veterinarians continue to caution pet owners about common landscape plants that pose health risks. Toxicity can vary by species and even by plant part, which makes accurate identification critical before anything goes into the ground. Careful research at the planning stage can prevent emergency vet visits later in the season.
Designing a yard for paws and pollinators
Plant lists alone do not complete a pet-friendly gardening plan. The 2026 Garden Trends Report from Garden Media Group lists “barkitecture,” or landscapes built with pets in mind, as one of its key themes for the upcoming season. Designers say they now prioritize durable pathways, defined play areas and pet-friendly planting zones that work with how animals move and interact in outdoor spaces rather than treat pets as an afterthought.
Many homeowners designate a durable turf area or ground cover zone for high-use corners, giving dogs space to run and dig without disturbing ornamental beds. Strategic fencing also helps prevent pets from entering neighboring yards that may contain hazardous plants.
Water features require consistent maintenance, especially in yards where pets drink from outdoor sources. Veterinary guidance notes that stagnant water can harbor bacteria and parasites, so homeowners should clean fountains regularly and provide fresh water in designated bowls to reduce health risks. Pollinator plantings remain part of the plan, with flowering beds placed outside heavy pet traffic areas to protect both animals and beneficial insects.
Choose plants that keep pets safe
Designing a pet-safe yard begins with careful plant selection, and homeowners who practice pet-friendly gardening read labels and research species before bringing plants home. The effort extends beyond garden design to the daily habits of dogs and cats that live in the space. By choosing plants with safety in mind, homeowners protect curious noses and paws while maintaining a yard that remains inviting and functional.
Gardeners often choose sunflowers, zinnias and snapdragons because veterinary references classify them as nontoxic to dogs and cats. Marigolds also appear on pet-safe lists despite the risk of mild stomach upset if eaten in large amounts. In addition, herbs such as basil, rosemary and thyme fit easily into backyard beds without increasing risk, while many homeowners grow catnip in containers to provide safe stimulation for cats and control its spread.
Organizations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, maintain searchable databases of toxic and nontoxic species that help homeowners identify potential risks. These lists outline which plants can cause symptoms ranging from mild stomach upset to severe reactions in dogs and cats, allowing pet owners to make informed decisions before adding new plants to the landscape.
Retailers respond to pet-focused demand
Retailers are quickly adapting their merchandising strategies to meet rising demand for pet-friendly gardening products and guidance. Companies like Central Garden & Pet operate across lawn, garden and pet categories, supplying retailers with a broad portfolio of products. That structure gives stores the flexibility to stock coordinated product lines and build displays that speak to shoppers who think about plant safety and pet care during the same visit.
Nurseries are also expanding in-store education to help shoppers make informed plant choices. Clear signage identifies nontoxic plants, and trained staff answer safety questions with confidence. Online stores match that effort by adding pet-safe filters so customers can sort selections as easily as they would by sunlight needs.
As spring approaches, many garden centers schedule late-winter workshops that focus on soil preparation, mulch selection and lawn alternatives suited for homes with pets. Extension guidance and veterinary sources caution against cocoa mulch because it contains compounds related to chocolate, so some retailers promote pine bark or untreated wood chips instead as safer options for yards with dogs.
Keep pets safe outdoors
Pet-friendly gardening only works when attention continues long after the last plant goes into the ground. Safe selections matter, but daily habits make the real difference as owners clear fallen leaves, check for potential hazards and adjust layouts when needed. A yard designed with pets in mind asks for awareness, not worry. When that mindset holds, the space feels easy to use, enjoyable and ready for whatever paws wander through it.
Zuzana Paar is the creator of Sustainable Life Ideas, a lifestyle blog dedicated to simple, intentional and eco-friendly living. With a global perspective shaped by years abroad, she shares everyday tips, thoughtful routines and creative ways to live more sustainably, without the overwhelm.
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