Dog Safe Grass Fertilizers: Before you add any fertilizer to your backyard, you need to factor in your dog! As a Smart Dog Owner, it is our duty to keep our dog safe out in that yard. Unfortunately, some fertilizers are highly dangerous for dogs. This article gives you all the details you need to know to keep your pooch safe as well as laying fertilizer like a PRO. Here is our first PROtip#1: Always apply fertilizer and let the yard dry for about 24 to 48 hours, only then allow kids and dogs to play on it.
Why use Dog Safe Grass Fertilizers for the Yard?
Dog safe or Pet safe products allow for your animal to enjoy the grass almost immediately. Whether you fertilize your grass on your own or hire a professional for the service, be sure only a dog safe fertilizer is used on your lawn. For people planting a new lawn, we recommend reading our recommendations for Dog Safe Grass Seeds as well.
Folks you can quote us on this but we are going out on a limb here and just going to say this “dogs and plant food just don’t mix together”. Industrial fertilizers are full of substances that are harmful to kids and dogs alike. Usually, a fertilizer pack would come with a set of safeguards that need to be followed strictly. PROtip#2: Always break down larger pieces of fertilizer into small pieces! because dogs might chew on them and get poisoned. Store the leftover fertilizer away from your pets and kids too. Chances of getting poisoned by fertilizer are thin but if God forbid that happens here are the signs you should look for:
Symptoms of Fertilizer Poisoning in Dogs
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Swelling
- Excessive tearing
- Urination
- Abnormal heart rates
- Difficulty breathing (due to bronchoconstriction)
Dog Poisoned by Fertilizer?
Find any of these symptoms and suspect poisoning, contact your Vet immediately. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. They can better guide you on what to do in this situation, assess the risk of the poison, and maybe help you induce vomit for your dog.
Make the Right Decision for Your Pet
Fertilizers encourage growth in your yard by adding only natural elements to your soil. While these items are typically non-toxic, fertilizers often have insecticides to discourage insects from invading your grass.
When ingested, fertilizers with pesticides may cause problems like vomiting, drooling, gastrointestinal discomfort, seizures, and even poisoning. Purchase and use any of the best dog safe grass fertilizer if you want to treat your lawn without accidentally harming your pet.
Buy dog safe lawn fertilizer which is just as effective at encouraging growth in your yard. There are benefits of purchasing the right dog safe grass fertilizer for your home. The primary benefits include:
- Promoting the growth of your grass with the addition of natural elements
- Likely composed only of safe, non-toxic ingredients
- Never worrying about your pet’s health while he or she is in your yard
- Protecting passersby from ingesting harmful fertilizer accidentally
- Improving your garden while also protecting the environment
- Reducing the burn spots caused by pet urine on your yard
Pet Safe Lawn Fertilizer 5M
Let your dog run around outside without worrying about his or her safety once you apply a safe fertilizer. Pet Safe Lawn Fertilizer 5M is a 24-0-6 formula with a simple application process. All you do is spread the fertilizer, water the grass, and proceed to play (even before the soil dries). One 14.9-pound bag works for 5,000 square feet of lawn coverage. This brand is so pet-focused, its name is “Pet Safe” and its packaging includes a photo of a dog on the bags.
Pros:
- A more affordable price point than other pet safe products
- Online videos provided by the company help you direct online application
- Kids and dogs can safely play in the yard, even after application
- Quick dissolving into the soil after watering
Cons:
- Longer wait time for growth compared to other products
- A smaller bag size than other products
Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Fertilizer
One of the top names in lawn fertilization and lawn care is Scotts. No matter the time of year or the season, Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Fertilizer is a solution that encourages the growth of grass and crowds out harmful weeds. This highly-rated product also protects your lawn against future problems. Available in three sizes, 5,000, 10,000, and 15,000 square feet, these bags of products come with a product guarantee when you aren’t satisfied with results. Individuals may purchase these products at stores or hire a professional to spread the fertilizer throughout the yard.
Pros:
- Associated with a strong lawn care brand
- Improving your lawn’s ability to absorb water
- Safe for pets and children after dry time
- Thickening your grass and killing weeds
- Get your money back if you don’t like the results you get from the product
Cons:
- Requiring you to allow for drying before letting your dog on the grass
- Part of a comprehensive lawn care solution provided by a large company
Espoma Organic Lawn Booster Fertilizer
The Espoma Organic Lawn Booster Fertilizer is a complete lawn fertilizer made specifically with dog owners in mind. This complete lawn fertilizer and turf builder develops green and thick lawns. It comes highly recommended by previous purchasers who say, “it’s the real deal!”, “your grass will look emerald green,” “it is helping the grass fill bare spots,” and “this is the only thing that has EVER worked.”
Pros:
- Prevents burn spots caused by urine from pets
- Maintains the natural pH of grass
- Suitable for areas frequented by children and pets
- Fully organic material
- Encourages thicker grass growth in your yard
Cons:
- Requires a wait time more than other options
Encourage Green Grass Growth with Dog Safe Fertilizers
More than anything, you want your dog to be safe even when outdoors. Look no further than these dog safe fertilizers if you want your grass to grow while you also keep your pet safe from harmful chemicals.
While both of our recommendations are solid products, the best of the best is Pet Safe Lawn Fertilizer 5M. Your pet won’t experience any negative symptoms like seizures or drooling when you use this dog safe fertilizer. In addition, you will experience all of the benefits of regular fertilizer while also protecting the health of your pets and children.
Any of the options recommended are effective solutions for your yard. After the application of any product, be sure to allow time for the growth of new grass. Fertilizer isn’t an overnight solution because grass must grow for you to see results. Whether you have a dog or children running around in your yard, you’ll love the look of your fresh, green grass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Putting Lime On My Lawn Hurt My Dog?
Lime fertilizer for lawns is typically considered safe, but it should absolutely be used with caution if you have dogs. There are different types of lime, but quick lime should be avoided on lawns as it is very irritating to the skin on humans and pets. The other types of lime are less irritating and generally aren’t considered toxic, but you should still monitor your pet after application when they are outside.
Hi, I’m Jacob. I’ve been a professional blogger for over 6 years and in that time I’ve written countless blogs that have reached millions of people. I am a DVM by profession but all you need to know is that I LOVE DOGS!
SDO started way back in 2015 on a whim. I’d read a couple of dozen blogs online while searching for the best products for my pup and the amount of misinformation online from unqualified sources giving potentially harmful advice shocked me. Then suddenly it hit me, hey, I can do this too! And I can do this RIGHT! Without even knowing what a blog was or how it makes money. I jumped right in to share the years of knowledge I have of dogs with the world.
Within a few months I realized that people were reacting extremely positively to my blogs. My website had taken off and I would receive countless emails from happy dog owners telling me how my website was a God-send for them and their pups were doing so much better after they followed my advice. I would get so many questions as well, and in my attempt to consolidate and answer all the questions I would get from my readers, my blog has evolved to the website you see today. Over the years I encouraged my good friend Tina who is also a DVM to share her experiences and better guide the people who read us. By the Grace of God we now reach close a million people a year and we get such a warm feedback on how we have made life easier for new dog owners all over the globe.
As a dog owner only you would know the feeling you get when you come home at night and you pup is there at the door wagging their tail in sheer joy. The bond a person and their dog share can not be explained in mere words. Yet dogs are like children, and they need to be cared for and trained, and that’s why Smart Dog Owner exists, to give you the precise and exact information that you seek about your dog. No matter how minute that detail is, chances are we will be there to help you out! As someone who has raised 7 of her own dogs. Jacob will always help you out.