As lawns green up, many households bring out the spreader. Fertilizers, weed killers and insect treatments are common in spring, and dogs spend a lot of time with their noses and paws in the grass. Many products can be used around pets with care, but some can cause problems if a dog walks on them before they dry, eats granules or gets into the bag. A few habits can make spring yard care safer.
Read the label first
The product label is your most important source of safety information. Labels for lawn chemicals typically explain how to apply the product, how long to keep people and pets off treated areas, and how to store it. Instructions differ widely from product to product. Some say to keep pets off until the product has dried; others say to water it in first. Follow the specific directions for the product you are using, and if anything is unclear, contact the manufacturer.
Fertilizers
Many lawn fertilizers can cause stomach upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, if a dog eats a large amount. Some fertilizers contain added herbicides or insecticides, which raises the stakes. Organic fertilizers made with ingredients like bone meal, blood meal or fish products can be especially appealing to dogs, and eating a large quantity can cause problems, including a risk of obstruction in some cases. Store all fertilizer bags where your dog cannot reach them, and clean up any spills.
Weed killers and pest treatments
Herbicides and insecticides vary a great deal in their ingredients and potential effects. The safest approach is to keep your dog away during application and until the label says it is safe to return. Spot treating only the weeds you need to, rather than spraying the whole yard, reduces the area your dog is exposed to.
- Keep your dog indoors while you apply any product.
- Follow the label’s re-entry instructions before letting your dog back out.
- Store products in their original containers, sealed and out of reach.
- Rinse spreaders and sprayers away from areas where your dog plays or drinks.
- Ask any lawn care company you hire which products they use and how long to keep pets off.
Walking past other people’s lawns
You cannot control what your neighbors use. Some lawn care services post small signs after treating a yard. When you see them, steer your dog away. Wiping your dog’s paws and legs after walks can reduce the chance of them licking off residue from treated grass. Discourage your dog from eating grass on walks, especially in unfamiliar areas.
Signs that call for the vet
If your dog gets into a lawn product, or you notice signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness, tremors, difficulty breathing or unusual behavior after time on a treated lawn, contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic right away. Have the product container or label handy so you can tell them exactly what your dog was exposed to.
Animal poison control services can also help. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is reachable at (888) 426-4435, and a consultation fee may apply. You can find more information at aspca.org.
