Pet-Friendly Grass Fertilizer
Maintaining a healthy lawn and a safe environment for your outdoor pet may initially seem like an impossible goal. Commercial grass fertilizers promise rapturously lush lawns on one side of the bag, yet warn about the toxic threats to pets on the other. Finding a truly pet-friendly grass fertilizer is not difficult. The answer is as close as your lawn itself. Does this Spark an idea?
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The Dangers
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Dogs romp in grassy areas, absorbing dangerous fertilizer chemicals from their paws and skin into their bloodstream. Cats nibble on tender green grass shoots, digesting toxic compounds that can irreparably damage their sensitive livers. Most chemical fertilizers warn of the dangers of exposure and recommend that pets avoid the lawn for 24 hours after application. The chemicals are absorbed into the grass and soil, however, and some remain there for extended periods of time.
Natural Methods
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Grass needs nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to produce thick, healthy green shoots. These essential nutrients can be obtained naturally, from other plants in the garden. Grass clippings, shredded leaves and compost spread onto the lawn provide the necessary nutrients for a healthy and safe lawn.
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Organic Fertilizers
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Organic fertilizers are derived from natural materials or organisms from the earth. Corn gluten, nematodes, manure, activated sewage sludge, bone meal and chicken feathers provide lawns with micronutrients and are considered nontoxic for pets.
Considerations
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Even though organic fertilizers and natural fertilizing methods are deemed nontoxic, overuse of lawn additives can cause harm to the environment. Organic fertilizers improperly applied or applied too soon or too late in the grass-growing season can clog sewers, pollute rivers and streams, and contaminate groundwater. Overuse of grass clippings and compost can suffocate the lawn.
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References
- State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection; Organic Lawn Care; 2010
- University of Florida; The Lawn Fertilizer Toolbox; Laurie E. Trenholm, Jason K. Kruse, and J. Bryan Unruh
- State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection; What's Your Lawn Care IQ?; 2008
- City of Norman, Oklahoma: Fertilizing Your Lawn - A Homeowner Guide
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
