Are you an animal lover like us? Here at Cory’s Lawn Service, we know the importance of keeping your animals safe, whether it’s your family dog or the birds that come and visit your yard. 

It’s safe to say, chemicals and animals are not a good mix. It’s vital that when we put chemicals on your lawn, you take whatever steps you feel are appropriate to keep your animals safe. When you have questions or concerns, contact your veterinarian for more specific guidance. 

If you have any questions about the chemicals we use, contact us at Cory’s Lawn Service. We would be happy to answer your questions. 

When Can Dogs Go On Lawn After Fertilizing

Our lawns are an important extension of our homes, not only for us but also for our dogs. We all know just how important our furry friends are to us, so we must ensure their safety. 

Your dog might love to spend time in the yard, but springtime can bring the possibility of illness for pets. Many of us fertilize our lawn at this time of year, and excessive fertilizer ingestion can cause some pretty nasty health issues for our dogs. 

Due to the risk of fertilizer ingestion, many people wonder precisely when dogs can go on the lawn after fertilizing.

This article will look at exactly when your dog can go on the lawn after fertilizing, so you no longer need to take any risks. 

When can your dog go on the lawn after fertilizing?

The exact time your dog should stay off the lawn depends on the type of fertilizer you have used and whether or not you have watered the lawn. Before getting into more detail, let’s look at the average time you should wait before your dog goes back on the lawn. 

It is common practice to wait at least 24-72 hours before letting your dog go back on the lawn. After this period, the fertilizer is absorbed entirely into the soil.

Before letting your dog free again, it is also good to water the lawn. Though you don’t have to do this, it will only keep your dog safe from any harmful chemicals. On top of that, it also allows your lawn to absorb nutrients without being disturbed.

What is in fertilizer that is harmful to dogs?

Some fertilizer blends are coated with selective herbicides that can be harmful to our dogs. In the Reno/Sparks high desert regions, fertilizer rarely contains insecticides.

When insecticides are present, they can cause a real problem. Insecticides are used to kill small insects like grubs and bugs. They contain ovicides and larvicides that eliminate larvae and eggs; therefore, they can have a much more significant impact on your dog’s health. 

Ingestion of insecticides can result in symptoms of diarrhea, changes in behavior, skin sores, and lethargy. 

Types of fertilizer 

There are two popular types of fertilizer used, liquid and granular fertilizers. Both can be harmful to your dog (if ingested), but choosing one over the other may be more beneficial in knowing when it is safe for pets to go back on the lawn. 

Below you will find a description of both fertilizers. 

Liquid Fertilizer

Liquid fertilizer is the quickest absorbing fertilizer available. The liquid is absorbed by the plant and the soil. It has the benefit of letting the soil absorb the nutrients faster, making the lawn safer to use sooner. 

However, determining grass safety after applying a liquid fertilizer can be tricky. With the liquid application, you will find it tough to see the fertilizer on the lawn, creating a difficult decision. Is all the fertilizer absorbed? 

The only solution to this problem is to wait until the lawn is completely dry. The lawn’s dryness will provide a good indication that the fertilizer has been absorbed fully by the soil. 

Some manufacturers recommend watering the lawn before letting your dog on it after waiting at up to 48 hours. Watering will simply reduce the risk of any fertilizer still being present.

Granular Fertilizer

Granular fertilizer is probably the easiest fertilizer to apply evenly and correctly. This fertilizer is made up of tiny pellets that are spread across the lawn. 

Fertilizer prills or pellets fall down in the canopy of the grass.  It is usually when there are pellets on patios, driveways, and walkways that pets will be interested in licking.

Once you can no longer see the pellets, wait 24 hours. After this time, check the lawn to ensure no granules are still present. If there are none, your dog can go back on the lawn. 

Checking the lawn for fertilizer is much easier and more time-efficient than using liquid fertilizer. 

Which type of fertilizer should you use?

Deciding which fertilizer to use is down to personal preference. If you take a careful approach when fertilizing the lawn, you won’t have any issues. In our opinion, when it comes to guaranteeing a dog's safety, we would recommend a granular fertilizer. 

Granular fertilizer is quite simply much easier to see. Though it might not absorb as quickly as liquid fertilizer, using this type of fertilizer helps us make a more confident decision. 

After observing the lawn for pellets, you can rest assured knowing that your dog will be safe. If the lawn is still wet with liquid fertilizer, there could always be a high chance there is still too much fertilizer left on the yard.

Safety Considerations

To ensure your dog is as safe as it can be, consider these points.

Pet-friendly Fertilizers

Organic, pet-friendly, or child-friendly fertilizers typically don’t require as long a waiting time after application. You can apply the product and then wait until your lawn is dry by following the fertilizer instructions. Once completely dry, you can let your pets and children explore the yard once more.

Don’t add too much fertilizer

Always add the recommended amount of fertilizer. By adding more than the recommended amount, you can increase the risk of your dog being harmed, even after you have waited up to 72 hours. If you accidentally add too much fertilizer to the lawn, keep your dog away for an extended time. 

If possible, wait longer

If there isn’t a need for your dog to be on the lawn, wait longer to ensure the fertilizer has been absorbed. To be sure the lawn has no fertilizer present, wait until after the recommended time frame has passed. 

The recommended time changes, depending on the fertilizer used. Read the label found on the fertilizer bag for specific instructions on wait times.

Weather

The weather can play a part in how easy it is to determine whether or not a fertilizer has been absorbed. If you have been experiencing sunny weather and the lawn is dry, you can quickly tell if the water used with the fertilizer has evaporated. 

At this point, the fertilizers are deep in the soil. If it has been raining, you may need to use more fertilizer and allow more time for drying. 

Takeaway 

When your dog can go back on the lawn after fertilizing depends on the type of fertilizer you use. Different fertilizers will have different recommended waiting times, but you will generally need to wait as little as "until dry" or as much as 72 hours with fertilizers with pesticides in them.

Using a granular fertilizer is arguably a better option for identifying any leftover fertilizer. Though it might not be as fast-acting, it is highly visible on the lawn. You will have the confidence to say yes, the lawn is safe. 

Despite not being able to 100% confirm that all the fertilizer is gone by taking care and caution and following the instructions religiously, your dog will be able to play on the lawn in no time. 

For professional lawn care, contact Cory’s Lawn Service. Whether it’s lawn mowing, lawn fertilization, weed control, yard clean-up, sprinkler repairs, lawn aeration, or residential snow removal, Cory’s Lawn Service will provide you with top-notch customer care and quality service!