Keeping Your Lawn Green and Your Pooch Happy: Choosing the Best Dog Safe Weed and Feed

As a dog owner, you want what’s best for your furry friend. You go the extra mile to buy premium dog food, schedule regular vet visits, and make sure your pup gets plenty of exercise and playtime. However, you may be unintentionally exposing your dog to harm in your own backyard with the weed and feed products you use on your lawn.

Many popular weed and feed formulations contain chemicals that can be toxic to dogs if consumed even in small amounts. The dangers of pesticide poisoning in dogs are real. As our canine companions regularly sniff, dig, and nibble in the grass we work so hard to keep green, it’s crucial to choose a dog safe weed and feed product.

In this article, we’ll go over:

• The risks of traditional weed and feed products
• What makes a weed and feed dog safe
• The safest organic and natural options
• How to use dog safe weed and feed correctly
• Extra tips for dog-friendly lawn care

Dangers of Common Weed and Feed Products

Standard weed and feed products available at most home improvement stores contain synthetic herbicides and insecticides that are highly toxic. Ingredients like 2,4-D, MCPP, and dicamba kill broadleaf weeds but also pose a major risk to your pet’s health.

Some of the serious side effects dogs can experience after ingesting these potentially lethal lawn chemicals include

• Vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite
• Elevated heart rate and seizures
• Liver and kidney damage
• Muscle tremors and respiratory paralysis
• Ulcerative sores and lesions in mouth and skin
• Fatal organ failure

Exposure most often occurs when dogs walk through a recently treated lawn and ingest residue through their paws and fur during self-grooming. Eating grass, digging, or chewing on sticks in the yard also provides opportunity for direct pesticide consumption.

According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, they receive over 200,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic substances each year. Don’t take chances with products made with ingredients known to be hazardous to animals.

What Makes a Weed and Feed Safe for Dogs?

When shopping for a dog safe weed and feed, read labels carefully and watch out for these harmful chemicals:

• 2,4-D
• Dicamba
• MCPP (mecoprop)
• Carbaryl
• Cyfluthrin and other pyrethroids

Instead, look for products made with natural herbicide ingredients like:

• Acetic acid (vinegar)
• Citric acid
• Clove oil
• Fatty acids like pelargonic acid
• Iron HEDTA or FeHEDTA (iron chelate)
• D-limonene

These plant-derived weed killers work to rupture cell membranes and burn through weed leaves while remaining harmless and non-toxic for pets. Natural insect deterrents like garlic, cinnamon oil, and neem oil can replace dangerous pyrethroids in dog safe formulas.

Also check that the fertilizer components are pet-friendly phosphorus-free options like compost, seaweed bone meal alfalfa meal, and chitin. These provide nutrition for grass roots without posing digestive issues or toxicity risks to dogs.

Finally, steer clear of weed and feed products in granular form which can be easily consumed by mistake. Opt for spray application instead.

Best Organic and Natural Weed and Feed for Dog Owners

Here are some of the top-rated dog safe weed and feed products:

1. Safer Brand Weed & Feed

• OMRI listed for organic use
• Uses corn gluten as a natural pre-emergent weed blocker
• Also contains molasses and iron for fertilization
• Safer for pets, people, and the environment
• Concentrated liquid applied with sprayer

2. Nature’s Lawn Weed and Feed

• Natural active ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, and clove oil
• Fertilizes with alfalfa meal, kelp, and bone meal
• Won’t burn lawn even in hot weather
• Also repels ants, grubs, fleas, and ticks
• Attach spray nozzle to apply evenly

3. EcoSmart Weed and Feed

• Fast-acting vinegar and citric acid combo
• Feeds lawn with fish bone meal and kelp
• Can be used near edible gardens and wells
• Kills weeds down to the roots without residues
• Also available as pet safe granules

4. Dr. Earth Weed and Feed Supplement

• USDA certified organic weed and feed
• Herbicidal oils disrupt weed germination
• Contains no synthetic chemicals or GMOs
• Fertilizes with alfalfa, kelp, and humates
• Easy to mix concentrate for spray application

5. Nature Safe Weed and Feed

• OMRI listed concentrate derived from corn gluten
• Fertilizes lawn with bone, blood, and alfalfa meals
• Also contains cedar oil and cinnamon oil
• Kills 250+ weed species without harming grass
• Must be mixed with water and applied with sprayer

Be sure to follow package instructions carefully for any dog safe weed and feed product. Only apply at recommended concentrations to avoid grass burning. Never let dogs onto the lawn immediately after treatment. Allow the area to dry completely before letting your pup roam and play.

Tips for Maintaining a Dog-Friendly Lawn

Keeping your lawn lush and weed-free while protecting your pet requires diligence beyond choosing the right product. Here are some extra pointers for safety:

• Mow higher – Longer grass shades soil limiting weed seeds. Long blades also disperse chemicals reducing concentrated exposure for dogs.

• Water well – Hydrating your lawn helps the grass grow strong and crowd out weeds. Moisture also activates soil microbes to break down chemicals.

• Use barriers – After applying treatments, block off the yard with temporary fencing or stakes and caution tape to keep pets off until dry.

• Limit risks – Apply weed and feed early in the morning when dew is on the grass so chemicals stick to weeds rather than drifting. Avoid windy days.

• Follow up – Manually pull weeds by hand whenever you can instead of reapplying herbicides repeatedly over the season.

• Rinse paws – Wipe down or hose off your dog’s paws after being in the yard to remove any lawn product residues.

• Train avoidance – Work on “leave it” commands and teach dogs not to eat grass, dig, or pick up sticks to reduce snacking behaviors.

• Provide alternatives – Give dogs ample chew toys and interactive play to satisfy their needs to gnaw and forage.

With vigilance and common sense, you can have the verdant lawn you want without compromising your dog’s health and wellbeing. Choosing an organic, all-natural weed and feed is the first step toward safely sharing the yard you both cherish. Do your homework and read the labels. With so many pet-friendly options now available, there’s no good reason to use anything toxic.

Your furry best friend will thank you for taking these simple precautions to protect them while nurturing your outdoor space. And you’ll have peace of mind knowing your little “lawn mower” can safely enjoy some grass grazing without ingesting nasty chemicals. Just be sure to follow directions and keep them off treated areas until thoroughly dry.

With the right dog safe weed and feed, vigilance, and smart practices, you can keep your lawn lush and your pup happy. Choose natural products made with safer ingredients. Restrict access after application until the yard is dry. And teach your dog to avoid behaviors like digging and grass grazing. Protect your pet while reaching for that picture-perfect green lawn. Your dog wants to share and enjoy the yard too!