Herbal Sensory Gardens: Enriching Your Dog’s Environment Naturally

Hello again!

If you are looking for a simple, joyful way to enrich your dog's day, a sensory garden filled with dog-safe herbs is a wonderful place to start. In my 40 years with dogs, I have loved watching them wander along a border, nose down, sniffing and nibbling with obvious delight. A herbal sensory garden is beautiful for you and endlessly interesting for them.

What is a sensory garden for dogs?

A sensory garden is a space planned to engage your dog's senses: smell above all, but also touch and taste. Different scents, textures and heights give your dog a reason to slow down, explore and sniff, and sniffing is one of the most calming, satisfying things a dog can do. It is enrichment and relaxation in one, right outside your back door.

Dog-safe herbs to grow in a UK garden

These are some of my favourites. All are considered safe for dogs to sniff and nibble in small amounts. Introduce any new plant to your dog's diet gradually, and keep an eye out for any sign that a plant doesn't agree with them.

• Parsley: fresh and bright, and traditionally used for fresh breath. A little chopped over dinner is plenty. Avoid feeding large amounts, and skip it for pregnant dogs.
• Basil: a sweet, aromatic leaf many dogs love to sniff.
• Rosemary: strongly scented and stimulating, so use sparingly in food.
• Thyme: low-growing and hardy, lovely for edging paths so dogs brush past and release the scent.
• Dill and fennel: soft, feathery leaves, traditionally used for digestive comfort.
• Mint (spearmint or peppermint): wonderfully fresh-smelling. Grow it in pots, as it spreads, and never grow pennyroyal, which is toxic to dogs.
• Coriander: a few leaves can be mixed into meals.
• Chamomile: a soft, apple-scented carpet that many dogs love to lie on, traditionally used for a calm, settled mood.
• Lemon balm: a gentle, lemony herb from the mint family, lovely for nervous or excitable dogs to sniff.
• Couch grass: the grass many dogs seek out to graze on. Let a patch grow somewhere safe.
• Cleavers: the sticky spring weed many dogs enjoy nibbling fresh.

How to create your herbal sensory garden

1. Choose a sunny spot. Most of these herbs love sun and well-drained soil.
2. Plant in clusters, pots and raised beds at different heights, so there is plenty to explore.
3. Add different textures, such as a log to sniff around, a patch of soft chamomile and a path of bark or pebbles.
4. Let your dog lead. Watch which plants they are drawn to and let them explore at their own pace.
5. Keep it chemical-free. Never use pesticides, slug pellets or weedkillers anywhere your dog sniffs or nibbles.

Plants to keep out of your dog's garden

Some common garden plants are harmful to dogs. Keep these out of any area your dog can reach:

• Onions, garlic, chives and leeks
• Pennyroyal
• Foxglove, lily of the valley and yew
• Daffodil and tulip bulbs
• Cocoa shell mulch

This isn't a complete list. If you are unsure about a plant, Dogs Trust's guide to things in the home and garden that are poisonous to dogs is a good place to check, and call your vet straight away if you think your dog has eaten something harmful.

Why sensory gardens matter

A herbal sensory garden gives your dog a safe space to slow down, sniff, explore and simply be a dog. For older dogs who can't manage long walks, or nervous dogs who find the outside world a lot, it can be a real gift.

If you love the idea of getting to know herbs better, my A-Z of Dog Safe Herbs ebook is a handy quick reference to 122 herbs, perfect for planning your planting.

Final thoughts

You don't need a big garden to give your dog a little herbal haven. A few pots of thyme, mint and chamomile by the back door will do. Plant with care, keep it chemical-free, and enjoy watching your dog discover it.

Natural love & care,

Elaine, The Dog Herbalist