If you’re wondering how you can find dog-safe weed killer for your garden, you’re in the right place. Having a beautiful yard is something we all dream of, but having unsightly weeds popping up all over your grass can be a frustrating experience.
You might already use one of the best electric weed eaters to maintain your garden, but sometimes you might also need to reach for weed killer as well. However, when it comes to weed killers, not all products are safe for your dog. So, how do you know what are the best types of dog-safe weed killers? And are there any ingredients you should avoid?
Firstly, when picking a weed killer that’s safe for your furry friend, your best bet is to pick a product that’s natural. Generally speaking, natural weed killers use ingredients such as vinegar and/or salt to rid pesky weeds from your space. Once dry, these are safe to use around pets, including dogs.
What ingredients should you stay away from?
• Glyphosate: This is a popular herbicide used on lawns and yards to keep weeds away. And while it can be effective at doing just that, it mustn’t be used if you have a dog. Unfortunately, if dogs sniff or eat lawns treated with glyphosate, it can cause heart rate problems, breathing difficulties and convulsions.
• Disulfoton: This type of pesticide is largely unavailable in the residential garden world, however it is available in some products used to help plants grow. While you might not be using this product to kill weeds, it’s important to double check none of your garden materials contain this ingredient as it can be toxic to dogs.
• Borax: Borax is toxic to dogs and cats. So if you have any pets, be sure to avoid any products with this ingredient in. It can be found in some all-purpose cleaning products and pesticides to deter ants from your garden.
What are the best types of dog safe weed killer?
If you’re in any doubt about using a weed killer, triple check the bottle. Usually, the product will say ‘pet-friendly’ or ‘safe for pets’. But to help you discover some of the best dog safe weed killers, here’s our recommendations for two great dog-safe options:
• Dr. Kirchner Natural Weed Killer
If you haven’t already heard of this pet-friendly brand, you need to get it on your radar. As its name suggests, once dried, Dr. Kirchner Natural Weed Killer is glyphosate-free (which all dog-friendly weed killers should be) and is made from using just four natural ingredients. This includes sodium chloride (more informally known as salt), water, vinegar and soap. If you want even more peace of mind, this natural weed killer has been tested by the University of Florida who confirmed it’s safe for wildlife yet ‘effective for killing weeds to the root’.
• Natural Elements 30% Vinegar
One of the best ways to kill weeds? Use vinegar. Both inside and outside of the household, vinegar can be used for all manner of tasks. From restoring your sanitary–ware back to its sparkly self to cleaning rust from tools. And Natural Element’s 30% Vinegar offering is no different. So, what makes this different from store bought vinegar? Natural Elements’ 30% Vinegar is 6 times stronger than the average vinegar you’ll find on supermarket shelves. It’s also 100% non-toxic and 100% biodegradable. The brand behind the product also claims that this makes it all natural and safe for humans and furry friends. So you can rest assured that it will weed out your weeds in a safe and natural way without harming your dog.
Just to be careful, we'd always recommend keeping your dog inside and away from your garden when you're using weed-killers, even if they're listed as being dog-safe. It's also best to leave plenty of time for the weed-killer to dry before letting your dog out into the yard as well.
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