A beautiful, lush green lawn is something many of us prepare for every spring and strive to maintain throughout the summer.
Lawn and garden products are much safer than they were 20 years ago, it’s still important to know how these chemicals/treatments can affect your pet.
If you have a dog or cat, you know how they love to roll around and play in the grass, as well as eat it at times. Their closeness to the ground also makes it easier for them to inhale fumes and get residue on their paws, coat, and skin since they enjoy sniffing and digging in the yard and garden.
Reading package ingredients and warnings will help you determine which products are safe to use. While fertilizers may only give your pet an upset stomach, certain insecticides could cause severe sides effects including trouble breathing, tremors, seizures, loss of coordination…even death.
Fertilizer, Insecticide, and Mulch
• Fertilizer – Most fertilizers contain the ingredients nitrogen, potash and phosphorous as well as other elements including iron, copper, and zinc which, in large concentrations, can be toxic. Be aware of fertilizers containing pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides as these can increase the risk of poisoning. A small amount can result in mild stomach upset while larger ingestions can result in severe poisoning.
• Meal-based fertilizer – This type of fertilizer may contain ground bone, blood, or feather meal. Ingesting a large amount can form a concrete-like mass in the stomach leading to severe pain, bowel obstruction, and inflammation of the pancreas.
• Organophosphates and carbamates – These insecticides can cause severe poisoning in dogs and cats and might be mixed into other fertilizers or herbicides commonly used in rose or flower gardens. Fortunately, with stricter EPA regulations and limited availability, numbers are decreasing in this type of poisoning.
• Metaldehyde – This is the primary ingredient used to control slugs and snails. Even a small amount can be fatal if ingested.
• Mulch – Potentially harmful to pets, not because of chemicals, but it usually consists of bark, splinters, or other debris. If eaten pieces could perforate or obstruct the gastrointestinal and bowel tract resulting in the need for surgery.
• Cocoa bean mulch – Harmful because it contains elements found in chocolate…theobromine and caffeine which are toxic to pets if ingested.
Keeping your pet safe
If possible, wait until chemicals are diluted and absorbed into the soil before allowing your pet access to the yard. Also, wipe off your pet’s paws and coat as soon as they come inside to avoid ingestion while licking and grooming.
When to call the vet
Whether your pet ingests a poisonous substance or you only suspect that your dog or cat is in danger, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately! Even if it turns out that your pet is fine, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
My Hometown Vet
Emergency services are available at both the Durham and North Churton Animal Hospitals. If your pet needs emergency care, call (919) 620-7387 in the Durham area or (919) 644-7387 in the Hillsborough area. Dr. James Miller and his professional staff are available for all of your pet healthcare needs.
