Is Lawn Fertilizer Poisonous to Dogs?

When it comes to our pets, it's always best to limit their exposure to anything that could be toxic. Lawn fertilizers are not necessarily poisonous to dogs. It all depends on what ingredients are present in the mix.

  1. Effects

    • In general, lawn fertilizers should be kept away from curious pets. Dogs don't just run around on the lawn, they tend to stick their noses and paws down into the grass. Some lawn fertilizers contain pesticides or herbicides which can cause severe stomach upset or gastrointestinal obstruction if a dog ingests them.

    Considerations

    • If you don't need a pesticide for your lawn, a safer alternative to commercial chemical fertilizers are organic fertilizers. These contain natural, pet-safe ingredients like bone meal, corn and seaweed.

    Prevention/Solution

    • When using commercial lawn fertilizers, read labels carefully. Most recommend that you wait a specific amount of time after use and water the lawn thoroughly to wash away residue before allowing your dog to go out on the lawn.