From Fertilizers to Pests: Tips for Pet-Safe Lawn Care in Florida

You love a lush, healthy lawn, but you also love your pets and want to ensure their health and happiness. You might think you have to sacrifice a beautiful lawn to keep your pets safe and happy, but it’s possible to have the best of both worlds. Here, we’ve got all the info you need to select pet-friendly lawn care products and services, protecting your furry friends and helping you attain the lawn of your dreams.

The Basics of Pet Safety in Lawn Care

Right now, you might be busy prepping your lawn for summer, but you can’t forget to prep it for your pets as well. We’ve got plenty of pet-friendly lawn care tips so your favorite companions have room to frolic without fear of harm to them or your turf.

Here are steps you can take right away:

Use Pet-Safe Fertilizers

Fido and Fluffy might do their best to fertilize your lawn so you don’t have to, but that’s not what we’re talking about here (and we’ll get to why you don’t want them DIYing it further on). Lawn fertilizers are extremely effective in preventing weeds and growing gorgeous turfgrass, but they also frequently use synthetic chemicals that are unsafe for animals, kids, and the environment. Fortunately, fertilizer manufacturers are exploring more ways than ever to make their products safer for the earth and all its inhabitants. If you have pets or children and want to keep the soil and the groundwater healthy, you’ll want to look for organic or all-natural fertilizers. Specifically, look for the OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) label to ensure your fertilizer is certified organic. 

A word of caution: Just because a fertilizer is organic or natural doesn’t always mean it’s pet-safe. Check the ingredient list and avoid anything that contains bifenthrin, glyphosate, imidacloprid, or 2,4-D (2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid).

Managing Pests Without Harming Pets

Florida pet owners have their hands full when it comes to managing pesky (and potentially dangerous) pests. In your yard, you and your pals may encounter fleas, ticks, venomous spiders, mosquitos, and fire ants, just to name a few. Pet-friendly pest control is critical to keep dogs and cats safe while they’re outdoors. Products designed with animals in mind not only work to keep them protected from harmful bites but are also safe for use in areas your pets visit often. If you have a pest problem, be sure that any product you use is labeled safe for pets. When in doubt, consult with a professional.

Pet-Friendly Weed Control

Weeds aren’t just unsightly—they can also present a danger to your pets. Dog owners especially should be on the lookout for foxtail, which can be found across the country. The seedheads of foxtail act as barbs that can pierce a dog’s skin and cause major health issues. A lot of commercial weed killers contain harmful chemicals, so while it’s important to get rid of anything dangerous, you don’t want to replace one problem with another. Look for pet-friendly products if you’re going to do it yourself, or explore ways to reduce weeds naturally with manual removal and routine lawn maintenance. 

If you decide to use a professional service, read reviews carefully and always look for a pet-friendly provider.

Lawn Maintenance Practices for Pet Owners

Speaking of routine maintenance, what should you be doing to help your pets and your lawn live in harmony? Here are some of our best tips:

Clear a Path So They Don’t Have To

Dogs (and sometimes outdoor cats) will travel the same route over and over again, whether that’s to get to their favorite outdoor bathroom or to explore the more interesting parts of your yard. This can lead to wear and tear in your lawn and create unattractive and noticeable areas of trampled turf. Instead, create a path for them by putting down gravel or mulch (make sure it’s also pet-friendly and won’t hurt their paws) or by hardscaping with landscape tiles.

Designate a Pet Potty Spot

Once your dog picks his spot, getting him to go anywhere else is almost impossible. This leads to brown spots and damaged turfgrass from an excess of nitrogen. Instead of allowing him to roam free for bathroom breaks, pick a spot for him and guide him there on a leash until he adjusts to the change. Once he’s marked the spot and understands what you want him to do, it won’t take long to make it a habit. Remember that if you do have delicate plants or flowers in your yard, it’s always best to protect them with some kind of fencing or barrier, just in case your furry friend decides to spend his bathroom break testing out a new part of your yard.

Let it Grow Before You Mow

Keeping your turfgrass a bit longer is a good practice for numerous reasons. First, it contributes to a healthier, more lush lawn by strengthening the roots and keeping the sun off the soil, which promotes weed growth. In addition, longer grass provides a softer carpet for your dogs to play on, gives them something to nibble on that keeps them away from potentially dangerous weeds, and makes your lawn more durable and less susceptible to wear and tear.

Fix Your Fence

Routinely check for gaps between fence posts, especially where the posts go into the ground. Unmanaged fences make easy escape routes for many pets, and any big spaces can promote digging that leads to unattractive messes. Plus, these pet-made exits may work as entrances for unwanted critters looking to enter your yard.

How to Repair a Damaged Lawn From Pets

You want a lush and healthy Florida lawn, but your pets may have other ideas. They just want a green space that smells good, feels good, and gives them an interesting space to explore the world. In the process, they may unwittingly do some major damage. Here’s how to fix it:

Prevent Fungal Disease

Urine isn’t the only thing taking a toll on your lawn. Dog and cat feces may contain bacteria that can cause all sorts of issues, leading to fungal diseases that can decimate your turfgrass. For dog owners, this means removing excrement immediately after your dog goes, bagging it, and disposing of it properly. It will also help to have, as mentioned above, that designated bathroom spot so you know where to look for missed droppings. If you’re a cat owner with an indoor/outdoor kitty, you can keep a separate litter box for outdoor use. Place it in a covered area where it won’t get wet, and scoop it frequently.

Aerate Your Soil

Dogs—especially larger breeds—can wear down your lawn after repetitive running and playing. This compacts the soil and damages grass roots, which may cause your turf to suffer. Soil aeration is a great solution to this problem. This process loosens soil and allows it to breathe, giving your roots the ability to thrive again. 

How Pearce Lawn Care Can Help

Being a pet owner is a big responsibility, and it’s your duty to your furry friends to keep them safe, healthy, and content — whether inside your home or outside in your yard. Yard care for pets is a lot to manage on your own, but that’s why professionals like Pearce Lawn Care are here to help. Browse our comprehensive lawn care services to find out how we can support you and your pets with animal-safe pest control, weed management, lawn fertilization, and aeration. Your dog may be your best friend, but at Pearce Lawn Care, we’re your lawn’s best friend!