When you shouldn’t let your dog onto the lawn!
Are lawns poisoning your dog? Perhaps you’ve noticed that, especially in spring and summer, your dog’s skin allergies start to act up, or maybe she starts licking and chewing on her paws. Or maybe sneezing, coughing, lethargy, or worse symptoms, such as stomach upset or diarrhea, seem to get worse. It may not be a coincidence that this is the same time of year when people are most actively applying fertilizers, pesticides, and weed killers to their lawns. Most, and I repeat most of these products are at least mildly toxic to your pets, not to mention other wildlife and perhaps even you. Pets can pick up a significant dose of these substances simply by walking on it, particularly if it is wet. They can also get a significant dose from rolling in the grass, scooting, or burying their noses in it.
Most fertilizers, particularly concentrated chemical fertilizers containing nitrogen and other nutrients, can cause problems. Herbicides and pesticides, common in “weed and feed” products, can be particularly harmful. Many of these can affect the central nervous system and are suspected or known carcinogens.
Many dogs love to walk on lawns, mine included. however, the only fertilizers I use are rain (which contains nitrogen!) and all the leaves that I mulch-mow back into the grass. Occasionally I might use some composted manure, but when I do I’m sure to keep my dog off the lawn. If you’re going to use pesticides, insecticidal soap or products containing spinosad are much more benign than most. And if you have grubs in your lawn, be sure not to kill the wasps that are actively probing for them.
When I can afford it, I’m going to convert most of my lawn to mulched beds with native ground covers, annuals, and perennials. This will save me a lot of water, hassle, and expense while trying to maintain a more natural ecosystem in my yard. Not to mention, it will greatly benefit wildlife!
My wife and I just ordered a cute little product that your dog wears and which covers his feet and legs, protecting them from contact with chemicals, not to mention hot asphalt and dirt when walking. Watch this space for my critique of the product!
Most fertilizers, particularly concentrated chemical fertilizers containing nitrogen and other nutrients, can cause problems. Herbicides and pesticides, common in “weed and feed” products, can be particularly harmful. Many of these can affect the central nervous system and are suspected or known carcinogens.
Many dogs love to walk on lawns, mine included. however, the only fertilizers I use are rain (which contains nitrogen!) and all the leaves that I mulch-mow back into the grass. Occasionally I might use some composted manure, but when I do I’m sure to keep my dog off the lawn. If you’re going to use pesticides, insecticidal soap or products containing spinosad are much more benign than most. And if you have grubs in your lawn, be sure not to kill the wasps that are actively probing for them.
When I can afford it, I’m going to convert most of my lawn to mulched beds with native ground covers, annuals, and perennials. This will save me a lot of water, hassle, and expense while trying to maintain a more natural ecosystem in my yard. Not to mention, it will greatly benefit wildlife!
My wife and I just ordered a cute little product that your dog wears and which covers his feet and legs, protecting them from contact with chemicals, not to mention hot asphalt and dirt when walking. Watch this space for my critique of the product!
