Beautiful blossoms, warm weather, and bothersome weeds all accompany spring and summer. To keep your lawn looking beautiful, you might be enticed to use the strongest weed killer on the market, but if your dog or cat ventures outside (or if your neighbor does), you must also keep their safety in mind.

Is weed killer safe for dogs?

It depends on how you define “safe” and how much of the weed that has been sprayed your pet will eat. Once the product has dried, it won’t transfer to a child’s skin or a pet’s fur and allow ingestion that way.

Please read on.

Can Weed Killer Kill Dogs?

It would be extremely unlikely given the exposure your dog might experience in the yard. But it could be fatal if your dog ingested a large amount of weed killer, perhaps from a garage container that had spilled. Keep all chemicals away from your pet.

Is Homemade Weed Killer Safe For Pets?

To keep their dogs from being exposed to harsh chemicals, pet owners have developed a number of homemade, animal-safe weed killers. Some of these ingredients are more useful for spot weed control than for regular lawn maintenance, but if you’re looking for a quick way to get rid of a few troublesome weeds, they can work without endangering your pet.

• Salt: This will stop the soil from supporting the growth of weeds or plants.
• Boiling water: This technique is efficient for a large problem area and will instantly eliminate any undesirable weeds. However, take caution because any plants or grass that are exposed to the water will die.
• Sugar isn’t good for weeds, especially difficult-to-kill weed trees or vines, despite the fact that it may be sweet for us. At the plant’s base, sprinkle some sugar. Add chili pepper to the mixture to prevent causing another pest problem.
• On plant seeds, cornmeal functions as a pre-emergent. Therefore, it won’t harm the plants you already have and will stop weeds from spreading.

Weed Killer And Pets: What To Know

When it comes to weed killers and animals, it is best to be as cautious as you can. When purchasing weed killers, carefully read the label. Even if a product is labeled as pet-safe, it may still provide specific instructions on how to keep your animals safe while using it.

Additionally, keep an eye out for common toxic ingredients that can be fatal to animals. A list of more than 100 ingredients that are deadly at various doses can be found in the Merck Veterinary Manual. Avoiding products that contain toxins like paraquat, glyphosate, and organophosphates is a good idea.

Check to see if weed killers have any certifications as well. The Organic Materials Review Institute accredits organic content. While that doesn’t always imply that it’s pet-safe, it’s a good place to start if you want to get rid of toxic products from your house to better protect your animals.

The immediate past president of the American Animal Hospital Association, Pam Nichols, DVM, advises waiting at least 24 hours after treating your lawn before letting pets near treated areas. Following that period, she suggests rinsing the area with a lot of cold water if your pet experiences any irritation due to exposure.

Weed killers should be kept in locked cabinets or other locations where your pet can never access them. Contact your veterinarian right away if you believe your pet has consumed poison or any harmful chemicals, or take your dog or cat straight to an animal hospital.

Weeding Solutions That Are Always Pet-safe

There are some methods for getting rid of unwanted weeds that are unlikely to ever put your pet in danger, even though some weed killers may be dangerous to pets in certain circumstances.

Try hand weeding. Although this method can take some time, it is a great way to get some exercise and kick weeds to the curb (perhaps literally) without using any harmful chemicals.

Use weed killers designed with pet safety in mind. For instance, compared to many commercial weed killers, Green Gobbler Weed Killer, Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed Killer, and BioSafe Weed Control are made with less toxic ingredients.

Are Dogs Safe To Use Weed Killer On The Lawn?

No, if your weed killer contains chemicals. Glyphosate, an herbicide linked to cancer in both humans and dogs, is a common ingredient in over-the-counter weed killers. Isopropylamine salt of glyphosate is present in the most widely used weed killer.

What Signs Indicate Weed Killer Poisoning?

If your dog is allowed to frolic immediately after any application of weed killer, it could suffer some of these symptoms:

• Burns or rashes around the mouth or nose
• Uncontrolled drooling
• Gastric problems
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fits or seizures

Keep your dog inside for at least 48 hours following a chemical lawn treatment, is the general rule of thumb. Contact your neighborhood veterinarian as soon as possible if your dog is exhibiting these symptoms and you suspect chemical exposure may be to blame.

Pick The Best Weed Killer That Is Also Safe For My Dogs

What works best for you will depend on how much coverage you require, how bad your weed problem is, and whether you have a green thumb.

There are many recipes for (homemade, animal-friendly weed killers), some of which only call for combining one of the aforementioned ingredients with water. You can purchase a number of items that are both pet-friendly and weed-killing in shops or online. You can also put on your gardening gloves and pull the weeds yourself while your dog stands by your side.