Is There Pet-Safe Weed Killer for My Lawn?
A wild rabbit in the grass in a backyard with a blurred green background.
If you have outdoor cats, dogs, bunnies, or other pets, you are probably very interested in non-toxic weed-killer options. Of course, even if you don’t have pets, you may want to consider the well-being of wild animals in your yard.
You want a beautiful, weed-free lawn. You also want healthy animals.
We get it.
When it comes to a pet-safe lawn weed killer, there are a number of interesting ones to choose from. Let’s dig into your best options in this post.
We’ll cover topics like:
8 qualities to look for to find the safest weed killer for pets
3 pet-friendly weed killer/non-toxic weed killer options
Pet-safe weed and grass killer
Homemade weed killer that is safe for pets
Additional tips about using natural weed killer — safe for pets
Non-chemical methods for controlling weeds that are safe for pets
Professional pet-safe weed control
Warning:
Remember that even when you use chemicals that say they are non-toxic or safe weed killer for pets, please always follow all directions, warnings, and precautions. If you are ever unsure about a product’s safety for your pets, children, or other animals, check with the manufacturer, your vet, or your pediatrician.
Ready for professional, pet-safe weed killer in Columbia SC?
At Boots On Enterprises, we provide professional-grade pet-friendly weed killer for lawns. Just ask about it when you get in touch with us.
Why not let us handle your weeds, fire ant mounds, landscaping, irrigation, and lawn care issues so you have more time to do the things that really matter to you?
Contact us today for a FREE estimate.
Phone: 803-521-4978
Email: bootsonenterprises@gmail.com
Next-day and same-week service is available.
A gray kitten and brown and white boxer puppy looking into a stainless steel dog food bowl in a grassy yard near a wood fence.
8 qualities to look for to find the safest weed killer for pets
The best pet-safe weed killer will usually fall under the following categories…
Natural ingredients that tend to be safer like vinegar, citrus oil, clove oil, or plant-based herbicides.
Labels that say “pet friendly,” “pet safe,” or “safe for pets.”
Products that are labeled “non-toxic.”
Organic herbicides.
Avoid glyphosate or ask your vet about recommendations before using this product.
Avoid weed killers with strong chemicals that have warnings for pets.
Manual weeding methods.
Professional pet-safe weed killer.
Again, please don’t allow animals to ingest the products or come in contact with them until the label directions say it’s safe for them to. Please always follow all safety guidelines, precautions, and warnings on the labels and safety data sheets for any chemical or weed killer.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and Jack Russell Terrier in a grassy area with autumn leaves and trees in the background.
3 pet-friendly weed killer/non-toxic weed killer options
Some commercially available, safe weed killer for dogs and other pets include products like:
Eco-Logic® Weed and Grass Killer (rosemary and cinnamon essential oils)
Dr. Kirchner® Natural Weed Killer (salt water, commercial strength food grade vinegar, and soap mixture) - don’t apply to your grass or other plants.
Fiesta®, Iron X (chelated iron-based herbicides) - label states pet may enter the treated area once the product has dried.
Always check with your veterinarian before using any chemical that you are not sure about.
Cream tabby beige white Maine coon cat sitting beside a birch tree in a well-cared-for back yard.
Homemade weed killer — safe for pets
Homemade pet-safe weed killer is an alternative option to buying commercially prepared weed killer that is safe for pets
4 options for pet-safe homemade weed killer
Boiling water - This is safe IF you can apply it only to the weeds you want to kill and you don’t spill it on yourself, your pet, or other plants. Some people find that using a tea kettle can be the best way to target only the weed you want to kill and to prevent burns.
Corn gluten meal - Can be used to help stop weeds from sprouting but may not be effective at being the only weed control method you use. And it could impact the ability of desirable plants to sprout, so use it with caution.
Vinegar - Vinegar kills all plants on contact — weeds, grass, and anything else. It can take some time and multiple applications for this option to work for weeds because it doesn’t get to the root.
Salt - Some people recommend using salt as a non-toxic weed killer. And while salt does kill weeds and is relatively pet-friendly, it can cause a lot of problems. Not the least of which is causing the soil to be infertile for years. And salt kills all the plants it comes in contact with. Even the ones you want to keep. It also hurts your soil’s pH balance.
In this post, we have two recipes for homemade dog-safe weed killer that you can try for other animals and pets, as well.
A close-up view of a hen’s head as she cocks her head to the right with a blurry green background.
Additional tips about using natural weed killer — safe for pets
Using pet-safe weed control is a wonderful goal for any homeowner or gardener.
It is important to note that not all pet-safe weed killers are equally effective.
Here are some additional tips for using pet-safe weed killers:
Always wear gloves when applying a pet-safe weed killer.
Don’t let animals eat or drink chemicals or anything that might be dangerous for them.
Apply the weed killer to the weeds only. Do not get it on your pet's fur or skin.
Keep pets away from treated areas until the product has dried completely.
Reapply the weed killer as needed to keep weeds at bay.
By following these tips, you can keep your yard weed-free without having to worry about your furry friends.
A Gardener holding hand-pulled dandelion weeds near a large grassy area with woods in the background.
Non-chemical methods for controlling weeds that are safe for pets
Controlling weeds is about a lot more than just applying a chemical weed killer. There are also other organic weed-control methods that you can use like:
Mulch and weed-control fabric in landscaping beds
Regular mowing
Mechanical weed pulling
Proper watering
Proper fertilization techniques
We go into more detail about these practices in this resource.
Professional pet-safe weed control in Columbia, SC
If you are frustrated by weeds and non-toxic weed killer isn’t working well for you, it may be time to call to ask about a professional weed killer that is safe for pets.
At Boots On Enterprises, we have weed control options that are non-toxic and can give you great results for your lawn.
We’re also happy to help with fire ants, moles, and other pests. And we do almost any kind of landscaping job, tree service, and hardscaping service you could need.
Contact us today and we’ll be glad to give you a FREE estimate.
Phone: 803-521-4978
Email: bootsonenterprises@gmail.com
Next-day and same-week services are available.
