Is Lawn Feed Safe for Pets & Kids

It’s hard to disagree when I say one of the most important features of a garden are the pets running around in it.

So, in this post I’m bringing you everything you need to know about how to use lawn feed while keeping your pets safe in the garden. And yes, achieving that much yearned for beautiful lawn where the kids can play and the animals roam.

I’ll answer the most common questions, such as which lawn feed is safe for pets. I’ll also go over the important differences you should bear in mind for different types of pets – like dogs vs guinea pigs and chickens.

It’s also important to note that animals which graze the lawn will be impacted differently to animals who ‘use’ the lawn

One common thing, which is the same for ALL lawn feeds is that cats, dogs and other pets or even children should never have access to open containers of fertiliser or lawn feed.

It’s a solid reason to use our website – so you only have to buy the amount you need and don’t need to ‘store’ any product in the shed.

On the other hand, different minerals in fertilisers will affect different pets, differently-tongue twister alert.

That means depending on the pet and what ingredients are in the fertiliser will determine what precautions you should take.

So in this article, first I’ll share the best pet-safe fertilisers and then look at each type of pet to see how each pet type you have needs different approaches.

Non-toxic fertilisers & lawn feeds

All own-branded fertilisers or seasonal lawn feeds (i.e. ones that don’t contain weed killer) are non-toxic, so they won’t be fatal if ingested by dogs or cats. However, they also won’t be good for their digestive system if too much of it is ingested. If you’re concerned that your pet will eat it off the lawn, then I’d recommend choosing our 100% organic feeds.

Other pets however which graze the lawn, such as chickens may be affected differently and precautions should be taken with both organic granular products too.

I also recommend taking increased precautions when using anything that contains iron sulphate – e.g. Winter Lawn Feed or Moss Killer (more on this below).

Autumn & Spring Pet Friendly Lawn Feed

The best pet safe lawn feed & fertiliser to buy

The main reason I suggest these products below is because they wash into the soil immediately, leaving nothing left on the lawn. It’s important to note that any of our fertilisers that don’t contain herbicides are non-toxic and therefore won’t be fatal to pets. However, if ingested they won’t be good for the digestive system.

The best options when choosing a pet friendly lawn feed is to use the most organic products possible. That means avoiding weed and feed or any fertilisers that contain Iron.

Here’s a look at the top sellers

Organic ‘Pet Friendly’ Lawn Feed

Our pet-friendly lawn feed is a 100% organic fertiliser, which will easily wash into the soil and give your grass a good helping of Nitrogen for better green-up and growth.

This product is best used in the Spring & Summer because it’s made with droughtsafe technology, meaning you don’t need to worry about the weather being too warm because it won’t scorch the grass

Organic lawn feed is a 2-3mm granular product and therefore open packets should never be left open where pets and children have access to it.

Organic Liquid Seaweed

Liquid seaweed is another 100% organic product, which needs very little solution to do a great job on the lawn. It will keep your lawn vitalised and help with green-up during drought.

You can allow pets and kids on the treated areas immediately after application. No packages of liquid fertiliser, organic or otherwise should be left open where pets and kids will have access to it.

Organic Calcified Seaweed

Calcified seaweed is more of a soil conditioner than a fertiliser as it won’t ‘feed’ the lawn but a good soil will help the lawn a lot. Therefore it’s not the best alternative to a fertiliser but it is a great ‘pet-friendly’ product.

Which lawn feeds are NOT safe for pets.

There are some products that either need extra measures to be taken after application or should just be avoided when pets are using the lawn. Especially if you want your pets to have full free access ALL the time.

Fertilisers containing Iron

Fertilisers containing Iron, such as soluble moss killer and our Winter Lawn Feed is not harmful to dogs and cats but it could affect their hair if they roll around in it. Furthermore, pets, who graze the lawn need to be kept away from any Iron based fertiliser for a minimum of 2 weeks.

Non-organic Weed & Feed Products

If you want your pets to use treated areas all the time, then I highly recommend avoiding weed and feed products, such as 4-in-1 or anything that contains Iron. If you can keep your pets off the lawn – possibly easier in the Winter – then you will need to do so for a minimum of 2 weeks after application of weed and feed products

So that covers the different types of products. Now let’s look at each pet differently.

Cautionary measures for different pets when feeding the lawn

Is lawn feed safe for dogs & cats

When used at the recommended application levels, our lawn feeds do not pose a threat to cats or dogs.

The most important recommendation is that you allow liquid iron or soluble iron products, such as Moss Killer, to dry before allowing dogs and cats to use the area. Mainly because the iron base can cause staining on their light-coloured hair.

All unused fertilisers should be kept out of reach of dogs, cats (and kids) so they never get access to any open containers.

Is lawn feed safe for guineapigs, rabbits & tortoises (or animals that graze)

Guineapigs, rabbits and tortoises are well known to graze the grass when left to roam the lawn area.

When using our non-iron based fertilisers such as any Spring & Summer Lawn Feed our Autumn Lawn Feed or Pre-turf fertiliser – you can let your grazing animals free on the lawn.

I suggest avoiding any fertiliser that contains iron sulphate if you have any animals that graze the lawn. I would also suggest you avoid using our moss killer unless you can keep the grazing to an untreated area for 2 weeks..

If you do need to use iron based products which are designed to get rid of or prevent moss, then you should definitely keep animals that graze the lawn away from treated areas for a minimum of 2 weeks.

Is fertiliser safe for chickens & hens?

Chickens and hens are prone to peck for tasty insects and grit to aid digestion. Extra caution should definitely be taken when using any granular fertiliser where chickens and hens spend their day pecking around the ground.

Best practice would be to keep them confined to an untreated area for a minimum of 2 weeks. That’s the same for ALL granular products.

Your best option when it comes to chickens and hens is to use an organic liquid lawn feed such as seaweed.    

How to make the treated areas safe for pets & Kids

Whichever fertiliser you use, whether it’s organic or non-organic, I ALWAYS advise customers to water in the granules after use. That way you give it a much better chance of feeding the lawn sooner and letting your pets run free without any concern.

I hope this article has answered most of your questions. If there’s anything else you want to know, please get in touch – info@relentlessgardener.co.uk or use our Contact Us page. Alternatively, you can write a message in the comments below and that way everyone can see the answer.

Whatever you decide in terms of lawn feed – always let your pets enjoy the garden as much as you do, while keeping them safe at home.