What Lawn Moss Killer is Safe for Pets
Let’s start by stating a few very important points:
- Any product 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 moss killer or allowing it on the lawn
- Ferrous Sulphate is the most widely used moss control product in the world. Because it is not registered as a pesticide technically it can’t be called a moss killer (at least in the UK) even though it kills moss very quickly.
- Any product containing Iron (ferrous sulphate) will stain for up to 24 hours after application but can continue for a little longer if applied as a dry product or with lawn feed.
The following is primarily for dogs and cats. See ‘Grazing Pets' at the bottom of the page for alternative advice.
Degrees of Safety of Lawn Moss Killer and Ferrous Sulphate
Totally Safe
MossOff is a unique product for killing moss and contains no harmful chemicals. This means that there are no restrictions on its use and no cautions to observe. It is more expensive than ferrous sulphate based moss killers but does have a residual effect which is very beneficial.
MossOff is in our shop here
Very Safe - Plain Ferrous Sulphate
Pretty much all ferrous sulphate moss products by themselves once diluted and applied are non-toxic, so safe. These are purchased as a dry powder or a liquid and are mixed and prepared in exactly the same way with both doing exactly the same job. The main differences being the liquid will cost considerably more and has a limited shelf life; the powder has no end date.
Products that fit into this category are here
Very Safe - Fertiliser with Iron Sulphate
Still very safe if the combination product is just fertiliser and ferrous sulphate. Both are mineral salts and not toxic. We have two products that fit this category: Winter Green for use from October to April and Evergreen Mosskill for use spring onwards.
Products that fit into this category are here
Generally Safe – No Rake Products
These vary between manufacturers but in general they are very high dose potassium products that can breakdown moss in the right conditions. They can be temperamental to use and take a long time to work so make over seeding timescales very long. For these reasons we do not sell these products and cannot fully advise on their safety.
Caution Needed – Moss Killer 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 or until watered in due to the pesticide content. Use with a high degree of caution and adherence to the instructions to maximise safety.
Lawnsmith Moss Products do not contain any weed killer.
Grazing Pets
- Guinea pigs and rabbits
- Hens, ducks and geese
- Tortoise
Any pet that forages at soil level or feeds on grass and weeds is best kept off for at least 3 cuts after any moss control application. Leaving an area of untreated lawn is usually the best approach which can then be treated once 3 cuts have been done on the main area.
Buy Lawn Iron and Moss Killer Products
More on Moss in the Lawn
-
![What Time of Year is Best to Kill Moss?]()
Moss in the LawnYou have three opportunities to kill moss in the lawn; spring, autumn and winter with spring being the best as moss is usually the worst at this time of year.
-
![Which Lawn Moss Killer to use and When]()
Moss in the LawnThere are a variety of moss killers on the market each having their own particular benefits. The most flexible and useful ones are discussed here.
-
![Lawn Sand Moss Killer]()
Moss in the LawnLawn sand is a lawn care product that typically consists of a mixture of sand, iron sulfate and occasionally fertiliser in very small quantities. Here are some pros and cons of using lawn sand:
-
![How to get Rid of Moss in Spring]()
Moss in the LawnAfter a cool wet winter most lawns will be showing some moss. You may get away with simply killing the moss or need to rake and over sow with new grass seed.
-
![Lawn Moss Control in Autumn]()
Moss in the LawnAs the weather cools and gets wetter you may notice a resurgence of moss. Quite often this happens too late for moss removal but you can still kill it!
-
![Using Winter & Iron Lawn Fertilisers]()
Moss in the LawnWinter is the time of greatest threat to your lawn from moss because moss thrives in the cooler wetter weather whilst grass growth slows and can't fight back!
-
![How Long does it take for Moss Killer to Work?]()
Moss in the LawnSome moss killers work very quickly but more important than how quickly is how well do they work and how easy to apply. Here is the low down.
-
![What Kills Moss on a Lawn Permanently?]()
Moss in the LawnFerrous sulphate is the quickest, most versatile and cheapest moss killer for lawns. A bit like the common cold though, moss will always come back if the conditions are right!
-
![What is Ferrous Sulphate?]()
Moss in the LawnCommon problems when putting moss killer on the lawn. Some moss killers can be very aggressive to the grass yet others like washing up liquid shouldn't be used.
