In my opinion, DO NOT USE ANY CHEMICALS on lawns ever. Try all natural products! Buy safe fertilizers.~H.O.P.S.
Is it Safe to Use Lawn Fertilizer Around My Dogs?
By Amy M. Armstrong
The answer to this question depends on the type of lawn fertilizer. The same elements that make grass grow green and lush often cause canine health problems. To have both a beautiful lawn and a healthy pup to play with there, take a few precautions.
A Dog's Behavior
The dilemma with the application of lawn fertilizer is that it goes exactly where your dog wants to put his nose. Dogs by nature are scavengers. They like to smell the ground and poke their nose into holes. Trouble is, that is where the fertilizer goes until it is absorbed into the ground for the roots of your lawn to convert to food for the grass.
Fertilizer and Stomach Troubles
According to Veterinary Medicine DVM 360 online magazine, many commercial fertilizers not specifically manufactured with the health needs of pets in mind contain mixtures of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in concentrations potent enough to cause gastrointestinal irritation in a canine. While it's unlikely an ingestion of these elements will cause death, they were never intended to be in your dog's digestive system. They will most likely cause him a moderate to severe stomachache and bring on vomiting and diarrhea. DVM 360 states that a dog ingesting large amounts of phosphorus and potassium commonly reacts by being lethargic.
The answer to this question depends on the type of lawn fertilizer. The same elements that make grass grow green and lush often cause canine health problems. To have both a beautiful lawn and a healthy pup to play with there, take a few precautions.
A Dog's Behavior
The dilemma with the application of lawn fertilizer is that it goes exactly where your dog wants to put his nose. Dogs by nature are scavengers. They like to smell the ground and poke their nose into holes. Trouble is, that is where the fertilizer goes until it is absorbed into the ground for the roots of your lawn to convert to food for the grass.
Fertilizer and Stomach Troubles
According to Veterinary Medicine DVM 360 online magazine, many commercial fertilizers not specifically manufactured with the health needs of pets in mind contain mixtures of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in concentrations potent enough to cause gastrointestinal irritation in a canine. While it's unlikely an ingestion of these elements will cause death, they were never intended to be in your dog's digestive system. They will most likely cause him a moderate to severe stomachache and bring on vomiting and diarrhea. DVM 360 states that a dog ingesting large amounts of phosphorus and potassium commonly reacts by being lethargic.
Safe or Not?
Since pet owners want both worlds -- a lush lawn and a protected dog, several manufacturers of lawn care products now produce fertilizers that are considered organic or "more safe" for lawns frequented by animal companions. Even when marketed as "safe," some of these lawn applications may still contain elements that could be harmful to a canine. Thoroughly check the labels to determine the safety of a product. It can take a bit of searching to find a truly pet-safe lawn fertilizer, according to Gardening Central. Some fertilizers are clearly marked as "not safe" while others have no declaration either way.
Keep Off The Grass
In the case of your canine companion at your home, this should be more than just a posted sign. It should be your mantra whenever you apply products to the lawn. This doesn't have to be a lengthy ban. The Dog Owner's Guide suggests keeping pets off treated grass for 24 hours, as nitrogen can burn the pads of a dog's foot. The guide also recommends keeping pets indoors during application to prevent an airborne inhalation or skin contact.
Since pet owners want both worlds -- a lush lawn and a protected dog, several manufacturers of lawn care products now produce fertilizers that are considered organic or "more safe" for lawns frequented by animal companions. Even when marketed as "safe," some of these lawn applications may still contain elements that could be harmful to a canine. Thoroughly check the labels to determine the safety of a product. It can take a bit of searching to find a truly pet-safe lawn fertilizer, according to Gardening Central. Some fertilizers are clearly marked as "not safe" while others have no declaration either way.
Keep Off The Grass
In the case of your canine companion at your home, this should be more than just a posted sign. It should be your mantra whenever you apply products to the lawn. This doesn't have to be a lengthy ban. The Dog Owner's Guide suggests keeping pets off treated grass for 24 hours, as nitrogen can burn the pads of a dog's foot. The guide also recommends keeping pets indoors during application to prevent an airborne inhalation or skin contact.
Fertilizer That Is Pet Friendly: Pet Safe Fertilizer For Lawns And Gardens
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By Jackie Carroll
Your pets depend on you to keep them safe both indoors and out. That includes using fertilizer that is pet friendly. Knowing that you don’t have to worry about your pet’s safety when he/she plays outdoors gives you peace of mind so you can focus on enjoying the time you spend together. |
Using Pet Safe Fertilizer for Lawns and Gardens
Commercially prepared pet friendly fertilizers may list precautions and restrictions, and you should follow them to the letter. The label may suggest keeping the pet off the lawn for a specified period of time, usually about 24 hours. For an extra measure of safety, make sure you break up any clods or clumps of fertilizer because your pet will find any new objects lying on the ground interesting, and perhaps worth a taste. Store any unused portions of the fertilizer in its original bag. Place the bag out of reach or put it in a plastic bin with a lid that locks in place securely.
Commercially prepared pet friendly fertilizers may list precautions and restrictions, and you should follow them to the letter. The label may suggest keeping the pet off the lawn for a specified period of time, usually about 24 hours. For an extra measure of safety, make sure you break up any clods or clumps of fertilizer because your pet will find any new objects lying on the ground interesting, and perhaps worth a taste. Store any unused portions of the fertilizer in its original bag. Place the bag out of reach or put it in a plastic bin with a lid that locks in place securely.
Pets are very skillful at getting into places where they don’t belong, so even if you use pet-safe fertilizers for your lawns and gardens, you should be aware of the symptoms of chemical poisoning, which include:
Types of Fertilizer Safe for Pets
Here are a few types of safe fertilizers for pets:
Seaweed – Seaweed is rich in nitrogen. You can buy it ground up but it’s more common as a spray-on liquid.
Fish emulsion – While fish emulsion is a great fertilizer option, remember that this is a quick-release fertilizer and it can burn plants if you use too much. Dogs are likely to find the smell very appealing and might try to dig up your garden plants.
Grass Clippings – You can use 20 percent less nitrogen fertilizer by leaving grass clippings on your lawn. For this to work, you may have to mow more frequently. Long clippings can do more harm than good.
Pets are very skillful at getting into places where they don’t belong, so even if you use pet-safe fertilizers for your lawns and gardens, you should be aware of the symptoms of chemical poisoning, which include:
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Swelling
Types of Fertilizer Safe for Pets
Here are a few types of safe fertilizers for pets:
Seaweed – Seaweed is rich in nitrogen. You can buy it ground up but it’s more common as a spray-on liquid.
Fish emulsion – While fish emulsion is a great fertilizer option, remember that this is a quick-release fertilizer and it can burn plants if you use too much. Dogs are likely to find the smell very appealing and might try to dig up your garden plants.
Grass Clippings – You can use 20 percent less nitrogen fertilizer by leaving grass clippings on your lawn. For this to work, you may have to mow more frequently. Long clippings can do more harm than good.
Manure – This is a tricky one because dogs may try to eat it. Composting for three or four months removes much of the smell and makes it safer for pets and the garden. Be aware that horse manure may contain weed seeds.
Compost – Compost is one of the best fertilizers for gardens and if you make your own it’s free. You can also use it on the lawn, but it takes quite a bit to provide enough nitrogen for lawn grass.
Bone Meal/Blood Meal – Bone meal and blood meal are natural products that may not harm your dog, but he or she will find the taste and smell very appealing. Avoid them to prevent digging and rolling in the garden.
Compost – Compost is one of the best fertilizers for gardens and if you make your own it’s free. You can also use it on the lawn, but it takes quite a bit to provide enough nitrogen for lawn grass.
Bone Meal/Blood Meal – Bone meal and blood meal are natural products that may not harm your dog, but he or she will find the taste and smell very appealing. Avoid them to prevent digging and rolling in the garden.
After Fertilizing Your Lawn, When Is it Safe to Let Your Pets on the Lawn?
By Homeguides
Your lawn is an extension of your home, especially for your pets. The grassy space provides dogs and cats with room to run and a comfortable place to play. However, springtime brings the possibility of illness for your beloved pets since fertilizing is a common chore at this time of year. Any excessive ingestion of fertilizer causes symptoms from vomiting to seizures. It is imperative to evaluate when it is safe for a pet to venture out onto the grass after fertilization.
Liquid Fertilizer
Using liquid fertilizer on your lawn has the benefit of allowing the soil to absorb the nutrients faster than a granular type of fertilizer, but determining grass safety after application is tricky. With liquid application, you will not be able to see the fertilizer on the lawn to confidently say it has been absorbed completely. As a solution, your pets need to stay away from the grass until it is visibly dry. Most liquid fertilizer manufacturers suggest using water along with the fertilizer for soil solubility. The lawn's dryness indicates that both the fertilizer and water have evaporated or absorbed into the soil. The grass blades should not have any residual fertilizer if it was applied according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Your lawn is an extension of your home, especially for your pets. The grassy space provides dogs and cats with room to run and a comfortable place to play. However, springtime brings the possibility of illness for your beloved pets since fertilizing is a common chore at this time of year. Any excessive ingestion of fertilizer causes symptoms from vomiting to seizures. It is imperative to evaluate when it is safe for a pet to venture out onto the grass after fertilization.
Liquid Fertilizer
Using liquid fertilizer on your lawn has the benefit of allowing the soil to absorb the nutrients faster than a granular type of fertilizer, but determining grass safety after application is tricky. With liquid application, you will not be able to see the fertilizer on the lawn to confidently say it has been absorbed completely. As a solution, your pets need to stay away from the grass until it is visibly dry. Most liquid fertilizer manufacturers suggest using water along with the fertilizer for soil solubility. The lawn's dryness indicates that both the fertilizer and water have evaporated or absorbed into the soil. The grass blades should not have any residual fertilizer if it was applied according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Granular Fertilizer
One of the easiest fertilizers to apply correctly and evenly is the granular type. As you spread the tiny pellets, they are easily visible across the grass blades. A solid watering across the entire lawn forces the fertilizer down into the soil. You can let your pets back onto the lawn after 24 hours have elapsed from the last time you saw granules on the grass blades. A full day allows the fertilizer to soak deep into the soil and provides evaporation time for the water.
Elapsed Time
To be absolutely sure that the lawn is devoid of remaining fertilizer residue, you can wait until two days or 48 hours have passed after the fertilizer application. If your region is sunny during this time period, you know that the water used with the fertilizer has evaporated; granules or liquid fertilizers are deep into the soil by this point. Rainy days after application help move the fertilizer even deeper into the soil, although you may need to apply fertilizer more often after a rainy period.
One of the easiest fertilizers to apply correctly and evenly is the granular type. As you spread the tiny pellets, they are easily visible across the grass blades. A solid watering across the entire lawn forces the fertilizer down into the soil. You can let your pets back onto the lawn after 24 hours have elapsed from the last time you saw granules on the grass blades. A full day allows the fertilizer to soak deep into the soil and provides evaporation time for the water.
Elapsed Time
To be absolutely sure that the lawn is devoid of remaining fertilizer residue, you can wait until two days or 48 hours have passed after the fertilizer application. If your region is sunny during this time period, you know that the water used with the fertilizer has evaporated; granules or liquid fertilizers are deep into the soil by this point. Rainy days after application help move the fertilizer even deeper into the soil, although you may need to apply fertilizer more often after a rainy period.
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Safety Considerations
Applying more fertilizer than the instructions indicate can potentially harm your pets, even after waiting 48 hours. You must apply the fertilizer as the manufacturer instructs, or the grass may hold the residue for an extended amount of time. Pets pick up the residues on their fur and paws and quickly ingest them. Consulting a professional landscaper for custom fertilizing instructions is the best way to stay safe if you are unsure of the application amount.
Applying more fertilizer than the instructions indicate can potentially harm your pets, even after waiting 48 hours. You must apply the fertilizer as the manufacturer instructs, or the grass may hold the residue for an extended amount of time. Pets pick up the residues on their fur and paws and quickly ingest them. Consulting a professional landscaper for custom fertilizing instructions is the best way to stay safe if you are unsure of the application amount.
Avoid these most commonly used lawn care products chemicals: Fertilizers, Fungicides, Polyphosphates, Iprodione Urea/reaction products, Thiophanate methyl, Potassium chloride, Ammonium phosphates, Insecticides, herbicides, Diazinon, 2,4-Dichlorphenoxyacetic acid, Chlorpyrifos, MCPP, Isofenphos, MCPA, Carbaryl, Dicamba, Cyfluthrin, Pendimethalin, Triclopyr, Glyphosate.
Buy SAFE Fertilizers
