What Lawn Fertiliser is Pet Friendly?
Let’s start by stating two very important points:
- Any fertiliser in the bag if eaten in quantity can be harmful so store out of reach of children and pets
- You know your pet better than anybody else so if it does have some idiosyncrasies that could cause it harm then think twice before applying fertiliser or allowing it on the lawn
The following is primarily for dogs and cats. See ‘Grazing Pets' at the bottom of the page for the other most common pets.
Degrees of Safety of Lawn Fertiliser
Very Safe - Plain Fertiliser – No Weed Killer
Pretty much all fertiliser by itself is non toxic so safe. For all intents and purposes, they are mineral salts and at worst will sting if in contact with a cut. Due to their pelleted nature they also have a limited surface area for contact and settle deep into the turf pretty much out of reach. All but two of the Lawnsmith Fertiliser range fit in this category. The two that don’t both contain iron only, not pesticide.
Lawnsmith fertilisers that fit into this category are here
Very Safe - Fertiliser with Iron
Still very safe, however, the iron salt aka ferrous sulphate, though hardly dangerous in the quantities likely to be applied to the lawn will stain paws whilst active:
- Lawnsmith Green-up Ferrous Sulphate will stain for up to 24 hours
- Lawnsmith Winter Green may stain for up to 3 days in damp conditions
If you do wish to use this type of feed the worst staining effect is in the first 24 hours. We suggest placing a dust sheet inside the cat flap or dogs entrance so paws are dried before entering the house.
Caution Needed - Fertiliser with Weed Killer
These are usually fine powdery products and often known as weed and feed, after-cut or 4 in 1. The instructions on the pack usually state to keep pets off for 3 days until watered in due to the pesticide content. Use with a high degree of caution and adherence to the instructions to maximise safety.
Lawnsmith fertilisers do not contain any weed killer.
Very Safe once dry - Liquid Fertiliser
If this is just fertiliser, like our Soluble Fertiliser, without iron or pesticide it is contact safe once dry.
Very Safe - Organic Products
These are very few and far between and generally not great at feeding the lawn but we would consider these to be very safe.
Dogs and Cats do like to Munch on Grass Leaves
If this is the case then perhaps stay away from liquid feed or feed that needs to be watered in. Both of these will leave a residue on the leaf. This is however only a mineral salt so may not be an issue but we would suggest checking with your vet if you have concerns.
For these situations use plain fertiliser without additives, that are granular or pelleted, not powdery. These settle well down into the turf once applied, are generally not very noticeable and hardly likely to be hoovered up by your pet wanting to settle its tum with a few grass leaves.
All Lawnsmith granular fertilisers fit into this category.
Grazing Pets
- Guinea pigs and rabbits
- Hens, ducks and geese
- Tortoise
Any pet that forages at soil level or feeds on grass and weeds should be kept off for at least 3 cuts after any fertiliser application.
Our Fertiliser has a High Degree of Safety for Cats and Dogs
More Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
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![When to Feed the Grass]()
Follow a few simple rules to apply your lawn fertiliser and get the best results from your grass whether it's a spring, summer or an autumn feed
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![When to Feed New Grass]()
For convenience you can fertilise the seeded lawn area on the day of sowing however, due to changing weather patterns this may not always be best.
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![What is Lawn Fertiliser]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsYou can save time and money and get a better result if you use the correct fertiliser for your lawn. Adjust for these and your grass is 90% of the way there.
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![Test for Clay or Sandy Soil]()
The soil in your lawn controls the amount of fertiliser, air and water to the grass roots, therefore sandy and poor soils should be fed more than clay soils
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![Best Lawn Food for Spring]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsKnowing what to use to feed your grass in spring can make a big difference to your lawn whilst saving you time and money.
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![Best Lawn Food for Summer]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsIn summer you can use a granular or liquid fertiliser. However, the conditions for application are very important during the warmer and dryer summer months.
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![Best Lawn Food for Autumn]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsAutumn fertiliser needs to be able to support the grass nutritionally, give maximum colour to make use of lower autumn light levels and promote deeper roots.
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![Best Lawn Food for Winter]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsThere is plenty of root growth in winter as the lawn soil at root depth is invariably warmer than the air. Keeping the roots fed means a healthy resilient lawn.
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![Best Lawn Fertiliser for Clay Soils]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsClay soil tends to be heavy and dense, with poor drainage and good nutrient retention. Your lawn feed should take this into consideration.
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![Best Lawn Fertiliser for Sandy Soils]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsSandy soil tends to drain quickly and lacks essential nutrients, so the best lawn fertilizer should provide a generous level of prime nutrients to compensate.
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![Using Seaweed for a Blooming Great Lawn]()
Seaweed promotes health, goodness and biological activity within the grass and the soil producing a greener, stronger and more disease resistant lawn.
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![Instant Green Lawn]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsUsing a proven mix of nutrients you can rapidly enhance the green in your lawn in less than a day. Ideal for application between seasonal feeds or as a standalone fast green-up before an event.
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![Sprayers for Liquid Moss Killer]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsLiquid feeding of the lawn is suitable from late spring to early autumn during the main growth period in warmer weather.
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![How to Mix Lawn Weed Killer with Fertiliser]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsHere are two simple ways to use weed killer and soluble or granular lawn fertiliser that is easy for you, safe for the grass and deadly for the weeds.
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![Can I Put Fertilizer on by Hand?]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsWhen spreading fertiliser on the lawn you need to do two simple things otherwise you'll damage the grass: spread the correct amount and put it on evenly.
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![How to Apply Lawn Fertilizer]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsThere is only one way to spread fertiliser on your grass safely and evenly and that is with a rotary or broadcast spreader; not by hand or with a drop spreader
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![When to Water my Lawn after Fertilising]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsWatering-in a fertiliser treatment is necessary for fine powdery products such as weed and feed so try using a fertiliser that doesn’t need watering in!
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![How Long does Lawn Fertilizer take to Work?]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsThere are three factors that control how long fertiliser takes to work. The availability of moisture, the temperature and the type of fertiliser.
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![Why isn't my Lawn Fertiliser Dissolving?]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsLawn fertiliser may not completely dissolve in to the grass for a variety of reasons. Most of them are good and better for a healthy lawn!
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![Grass Cutting Tips and Tricks]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsAftercut is very similar to ‘weed and feed’. There are those with weed killer and those without. Do not use the one with weed killer on a regular basis.
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![Lawn 'Weed and Feed']()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts'Weed and feed' is a clever lawn care idea. The problem is, for most people it doesn't work leaving stripes, burnt grass and even bigger weeds
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![Fertiliser Storage and Shelf Life]()
Lawn Food Do's and Don'tsThe shelf life of fertilizers can vary widely based on type of fertilizer, storage conditions, and packaging. Here's a guideline for common types of fertilisers.
