Fall is when many people do their biggest yard projects: raking, mulching, reseeding, fertilizing and putting the garden to bed. A lot of that work involves products and materials that can be risky if a curious dog gets into them. A little planning keeps the cleanup safe for everyone with four legs.
If your dog eats something from the yard and you are concerned, call your veterinarian or a pet poison control service. Have the product label or a photo of it ready.
Before you start
- Decide where your dog will be while you work: indoors, in a safe fenced area, or on leash with you.
- Read labels on every product you plan to use, including instructions about pets and how long to keep them off treated areas.
- Store products in their original containers, sealed and up high, in a place your dog cannot reach.
Fertilizers, weed killers and lawn treatments
Fall is a popular time to fertilize lawns and treat weeds. Some of these products can cause stomach upset or more serious problems if dogs eat them, and some fertilizers include ingredients such as bone meal or blood meal that dogs find appealing.
- Follow label directions carefully, including re-entry times for pets.
- Sweep spilled granules off sidewalks and driveways.
- Wipe your dog’s paws after walks if neighbors have treated their lawns.
- If you use a lawn service, ask what products they apply and what they recommend for pets.
Compost and garden debris
A compost pile full of fall scraps can smell irresistible to a dog. Decomposing food and plant matter can grow mold, and eating it can make dogs sick. Use a closed bin or fence off open compost. Also clear away pulled garden plants, rotting fruit and vegetable scraps rather than leaving them in piles.
Mulch
Mulch is often spread in fall. Cocoa bean mulch, made from cocoa shells, contains theobromine, the same compound that makes chocolate toxic to dogs. It is best avoided in homes with dogs. Any mulch can be a problem if a dog eats a lot of it, so supervise dogs who like to chew wood or bark.
Tools, bags and equipment
- Store rakes with tines facing down, or hung up off the ground.
- Keep leaf blowers and mowers off and away from dogs, who may be frightened by noise.
- Do not leave open bags of products, seed or soil where your dog can tear into them.
- Check that gates are closed after deliveries and yard crews leave.
When the work is done, walk the yard once more. Pick up stray tools, clip ties, plastic plant tags and any mushrooms or fallen nuts. Check fences for gaps that may have opened while you worked. Then let your dog explore their freshly tidied yard and enjoy the fall afternoon together.
