This is a question that many pet owners have asked themselves. The short answer to the question is “yes.” Lawn fertilizer and other additives can hurt your dog or cat. A lot. There are several chemicals and toxins in commercial lawn fertilizer that can be very dangerous for the health of you and your family. In addition, these types of chemicals also create a lot of waste, which ends up in our garbage and seeps into groundwater supplies.
The average homeowner does not realize how much impact the use of fertilizer has on the environment. Many people simply toss their used fertilizer and soil from their yards onto their driveways or in their gardens. While this is perfectly acceptable, it is actually one of the largest contributors to pollution.
Comercial Lawn Fertilizers
Most of the chemicals found in commercial lawn fertilizers are banned from the human body. However, they remain in the soil and eventually enter the water supply. When they do this, they can cause damage to local waterways and ultimately poison your pets. Fortunately, there are some safe, natural alternatives to the harmful effects of fertilizer. If you want to add healthy nutrients to your lawn or improve its appearance, using natural fertilizers will help.
What’s the Alternative?
So what exactly should you be using as a natural alternative to commercial lawn fertilizer? Well, anything that contains, is a good natural fertilizer. By this I mean anything that is rich in the nutrients that make up the soil. You can add manure, coffee grounds, sea salt, fruit, and vegetables. All of these natural substances will provide your lawn with the essential nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium that it needs to thrive.
Another important thing to remember about natural lawn fertilizers is that they do not contain any artificial additives. This means that they are very safe to use around your pet’s, and at the same time will not cause any negative effects. Many of these types of lawn fertilizers also come with natural enzymes that break down the lawn clippings, providing the nutrients needed to keep them healthy and green.
Organic Lawn Fertilizer?
Along with using natural lawn fertilizer, another thing you can do to ensure the health of your lawn is to give your pet the right amount of vitamins. There are a lot of vitamins available for dogs, including Vitamin D, B-12, E, and even folic acid. Give your dog a full stomach every day. Also, be sure to keep their eyes well clean. You can purchase enzyme pills for dogs that will increase their digestion and thus, their nutrient absorption.
In addition to giving your pet a full meal, you should also take a daily pill with your dog’s meals. The pill will contain a special blend of probiotics. These help your pet’s digestive system along, thus preventing constipation and other types of intestinal problems. Also, remember to give them a daily dose of flea and tick medication. These can prove to be very effective in reducing the population of fleas and ticks in your yard. You can find these medications at your local pet store or over the Internet.
It is important to keep your lawn healthy and beautiful. The right lawn fertilizer can go a long way in making this happen. But be sure you know what is in it and read the label carefully. Natural fertilizers are far safer than chemicals and are also more effective. So choose a natural lawn fertilizer and keep your lawn looking beautiful.
Let’s Talk About Your Pet
If you have pets, you know how much they eat. It might seem cute to plant vegetables on your lawn, but watch your pets when they try to eat some of the lawn care materials. They might swallow some of it, and this could prove to be very harmful to them. Some types of fertilizer contain small amounts of pesticides that could be harmful to pets.
If you have children or teens in your home, then lawn care might not be the best subject to discuss. But keep in mind that some chemicals used in lawn care products are known to cause cancer. Many people have discovered this scary fact, and as a result, they have stopped using the chemicals in their lawn care products. Others still use them, but only after reading about the potential harmful effects.
Always Contact an Expert
As you can see, using lawn fertilizer that is safe for your dog, cat, or even your guinea pig can be a smart decision. You should also be sure that you know all about how the chemicals in the pet food are absorbed into the animal’s fur, and whether or not these chemicals might affect them in any way. Pets need as healthy a life as we do, and the best way to ensure this is by keeping their bodies as clean as possible. This way, they will live as long as we do.
We can help you with all your questions and help you with the maintenance of your lawn. To request a quote, give us a call at 619-212-5478 or contact us today.