A Chemical-Free Yard: Rid Your Lawn of Pesticides, Chemical Fertilizers, Weed Killers and Insecticides

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You want to give your pet a lush outdoor space to run and roam, but many fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides use harmful chemicals. Almost all chemical yard treatments have a natural alternative. If you or your neighbors must use them, understanding the chemical composition of fertilizers, weed killers (or herbicides) and pesticides could save or prolong your pet’s life.

Fertilizers

Animal health experts agree that fertilizers—whether synthetic, natural (animal manure or worm castings) or a combination—are relatively safe around pets. Most formulations are composed of three primary elements normally present in our (and our pets’) bodies: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.

If your pets eat fertilized grass, “it doesn’t cause any major problems—just some mild gastrointestinal irritation,” says Justine A. Lee, a certified emergency critical care veterinary specialist and author of It’s a Dog’s Life...but It’s Your Carpet and It’s a Cat’s World... You Just Live In It. Seek emergency medical care if your dog eats fertilizer straight out of the bag. In higher doses, it could be toxic.

Weed killers

Weed killers, or herbicides, are not terribly problematic from a toxicology perspective, says Steven R. Hansen, a veterinarian and senior vice president at ASPCA Animal Health Services. “Most have a limited effect on animals.”

Many weed killers contain the herbicide glyphosate. “If an animal ingests it, it can cause some vomiting, but nothing life-threatening,” Lee says—as long as the animal doesn’t ingest the concentrated (nondiluted) form. Still, the EPA has concerns about glyphosate levels in drinking water and lists kidney damage and reproductive effects as its long-term health effects, so avoid herbicides that contain this chemical.

Insecticides

Insecticides also pose a threat to mammals. Insecticides containing organophosphates or carbamates (specifically the N-methyl subclass) can damage an animal’s nervous system, leading to muscle weakness or paralysis. Most organophosphates have been phased out of use, but some outdoor products do contain carbamates—the presence of these is generally not indicated on product labels. The EPA says these formulations should not pose a risk to pets or humans, as long as you follow label guidelines for application. You can avoid them entirely by choosing an organic, natural product instead.