Pet-Safe Weed Killer: The 5 Best Options for Your Yard and Pets

No one wants to have pesky weeds piling up in their beautiful garden! Still, though, that’s the very same garden that your beloved dogs and cats wander through on a daily basis. Sometimes it can be difficult to navigate the weed-killer product market as a pet owner. Frankly, a clear garden shouldn’t come with an inherent safety sacrifice on behalf of your pet. That’s why in this article, we’ll be going over five of the best options for pet-safe weed killers.

How to Identify Pet-Safe Weed Killer

Weed killer that is considered to be safe for pets is something that hit markets not too long ago. For quite some time, the only options for store-bought weed killers were ones that contained toxic chemicals. These chemicals weren’t just toxic to pets, but also to any surrounding wildlife. Here are some of the ingredients that proved to be particularly violent offenders:

• 2,4-D or Mecoprop – These ingredients, which are both types of Chlorophenoxy Herbicides, help get rid of broadleaf weeds. These two ingredients are found pretty commonly in traditional weed killers, but have proven themselves to be quite dangerous (especially to dogs)!
• Quaternary Ammonium Herbicides – You probably won’t run into these ingredients at the supermarket, but they are commonly used on a commercial level for weed removal. So, if you hire someone to spray the lawn, this could very well be what they’re putting on your grass!
• Glyphosate – This ingredient works to disrupt photosynthesis, and we don’t photosynthesize, so it proves to be less of an issue. Though the symptoms that this ingredient causes aren’t as severe as the others, it can still cause some major internal issues if accidentally digested while wet.

In comparison to these ingredients, the ones found in new, pet-safe weed-killer brands are much more natural and tame. These include things like vinegar and saltwater, which still do an effective job at killing weeds, but don’t have the potential to harm our pets in the same manner!

Symptoms of Herbicide Poisoning in Pets

If you have been using an unsafe brand of weed killer, or if you simply want to know for future peace of mind, there are specific symptoms and signs to look out for in the event that your pet accidentally takes a walk through a patch of recently-treated grass! These include:

• Irritation, including burns and rashes, around the mouth/nose/paws
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive amounts of drool
• Lack of appetite
• Seizures

If you suspect that your pet has in fact gotten herbicide poisoning, it is imperative that they receive immediate medical attention. Either take them to an emergency vet or call an animal poison control hotline.

The Best Pet-Safe Weed Killer

Below is a compiled list of five solid options for pet-safe weed killers. The options were selected as a result of thorough, personal research into the matter. None of these products are sponsored by A-Z Animals and have been added to the article due to a combination of high customer ratings, word of mouth from professionals, and listed ingredients. With that said, let’s get into the recommendations!

1. Natural Elements Weed Killer

First up on our list is the Natural Elements Weed Killer, one that is both powerful and entirely naturally derived. The key killer in the ingredient list is vinegar, but it’s combined with salt water to effectively coat and kill the weeds. It is so powerful, however, that it will kill grass if sprayed on an entire lawn! Be sure to keep your mind open regarding this.

Key Product Information:

• Claims to kill poison ivy as well as weeds.
• Made in the USA.
• Vinegar-based ingredients.
• More tame smell compared to other vinegar-based products.

2. ECO Living Solutions Organic Weed And Grass Killer

Not only does the ECO Living Solutions Organic Weed And Grass Killer claim to kill weeds, but the ingredients used in the formula also claim to prevent regrowth. It is so safe, it claims, that it isn’t just pet safe- it’s safe for bees, fish, livestock, and even human children! Environmentally friendly to the extreme, it is also biodegradable.

Key Product Information:

• The active ingredients are organic white vinegar and Himalayan rock salt.
• The company has a 100% money-back guarantee.
• Strong, overwhelming scent.
• Sustainably sourced ingredients.

3. Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed And Grass Killer

The power of the Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed And Grass Killer is harnessed through its three simple ingredients. These are ocean saltwater, vinegar, and soap! It was tested for efficacy by the University of Florida and will kill weeds and grasses of many varieties down to the root. The solution is non-selective, meaning that it doesn’t discriminate between grass, weed, or moss.

Key Product Information:

• No mixing required- ready to be used immediately.
• Only made up of three primary ingredients.
• Biodegradable, and glyphosate free.

4. Sierra Natural Science WeedRot™

What makes Sierra Natural Science WeedRot™ stand out among the listed products is that, alongside claiming to be a pet-safe weed killer, it also claims that the results of the product can be seen in as little as three hours. This is an incredibly short period of time for a product to begin working at killing weeds, especially considering many competitors claim a much more modest 24-hour timeframe.

Key Product Information:

• Claims to remove up to 250 weed types, including dandelions, spurge, starthistle, and crabgrass.
• Works in three hours.
• Free of glyphosate.
• Made in the USA.

5. Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer

Green Gobbler is a weed killer that has been certified by the OMRI for organic use. Though vinegar is its primary active ingredient, it is alleged to be about 30% stronger than the table vinegar you may have at home. It is environmentally and pet-safe, making it an excellent choice to get the job done.

Key Product Information:

• It is made from corn that has been grown in the USA.
• OMRI certified.
• When diluted with water, it can be used for regular household cleaning.
• There are no dyes or harsh chemicals in the product.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © NoonVirachada/Shutterstock.com

WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more.

Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day.

Thanks for subscribing!