Lawn Chemical Dangers for Your Dog

The days are getting longer, the birds are singing, and the world is turning green again. Buds are appearing on the trees, and daffodils are stretching toward the sun after a long winter’s rest.

This can only mean one thing; spring is in the air.

With March comes warmer afternoons, longer daylight hours, and the dreaded daylight savings time, which Benji firmly believes means dinner should be served an hour early. But there’s something else that comes with spring that I dislike even more—lawn chemicals.

The Hidden Dangers of Lawn Chemicals

I don’t care what other people choose to put on their lawns, but I do care about mine. I also care about what my dog is exposed to when we’re out and about. Lawn chemicals, including fertilizers, weed killers, and pesticides, can be incredibly harmful to our pets. They don’t just stay on the grass, dogs can inhale them, absorb them through their paws, or ingest them when licking their feet or fur.

Exposure to these chemicals can cause immediate symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rashes. But the long-term risks are even more concerning. Studies have linked lawn chemicals to canine malignant lymphoma, liver and pancreas inflammation, respiratory issues, and even cardiac arrest. I can always tell when a fresh batch of chemicals has been applied because I can smell them from a mile away, and they burn my nose, imagine what they’re doing to our dogs.

Protecting Your Dog from Lawn Chemicals

Even if you’re mindful about what you use on your own lawn, there’s no guarantee that your neighbors are doing the same. But there are steps you can take to reduce your dog’s exposure and keep them safe.

Choose pet-safe fertilizers and weed control products. There are plenty of natural and organic options available that won’t harm your pets or the environment.

Apply treatments in sections. If you must use a fertilizer or weed treatment, do it in phases so your dog still has access to part of the yard while other areas are being treated.

Wait before letting your dog outside. If you’ve applied any treatments, keep your dog off the grass for at least 24 hours to allow the chemicals to settle or wash away.

Be mindful on walks. Avoid walking your dog on freshly treated lawns, and keep them on sidewalks when you notice those little warning signs posted in the grass. Also, discourage rolling in grass, no matter how tempting it may be for them.

Wash their paws after every walk. Even if you think they didn’t step on treated grass, it’s better to be safe than sorry. I personally use the MudBuster paw washer to clean Benji’s paws after every walk, and it gives me peace of mind knowing I’m reducing his exposure to harmful toxins.

Watch for signs of illness. If your dog shows any unusual symptoms like excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy after being outside, contact your vet immediately.

Awareness is Key

We can’t control what our neighbors do, but we can be mindful of our surroundings and take proactive steps to protect our pets. Spring should be a time of renewal, joy, and fresh air, not a season of hidden dangers for our dogs. With a little extra awareness and care, we can make sure our pets stay safe while enjoying the warmer days ahead.

Benji may still believe daylight savings time means he gets an early dinner, but at least he doesn’t have to worry about chemicals on his paws. And that’s a win in my book.