Your NJ Pet Friendly Lawn Care Checklist

If you’re a homeowner with pets, you’re probably wondering what pet safe lawn care should include. There are lots of things you can do to maintain pet friendly lawn care, most of which are focused on finding products and tools that are safe for the ecosystem and curious pets. These products will be free of toxic chemicals while keeping your healthy lawn beautiful. 

We put together a comprehensive checklist that you can use to make sure your lawn is as safe as possible for your furry friends, focused on both proper maintenance and safe product use. 

Hazards to look for in keeping your pets safe

1. Wooded areas outside of the lawn boundary may harbor ticks and other harmful insects. If you frequently see deer in your yard, keeping your pet away from these wilder areas will help protect them from bites and lyme disease.

2. Make sure any foliage you choose for gardens and lawn perimeters is safe for pet consumption. While your pet might not chew your flowers and other decorative plants, it’s best not to take the chance. The ASPCA has a list of plants to avoid, which you can find here, along with the animal poison control phone number.  

3. Keep lawn and garden tools out of reach, especially if they have shape edges, can create a puncture hazard, or leak chemicals like oil or gasoline. Always store gas-powered tools properly and do not leave electric equipment plugged in or turned on.

4. Fill in any major holes that might endanger your pet. Criteria for this will depend on the size of your pet. Larger, deep holes that smaller pets can fall into should be filled. Smaller, deeper holes can endanger larger pets if there’s a risk of stepping into them while running. Check the yard for holes before you let your pet roam.

5. Monitor the yard for predators and don’t leave pets (especially smaller pets) unsupervised if this is a risk. Predators as small as owls and foxes can sometimes pose a danger to pets.

6. Check fencing for any holes or damage that could injure your pet or allow predators access to them. Consider whether your pet will injure themselves if they try to investigate holes or gaps. If so, repair the area before allowing pets to roam freely. 

Your pet-friendly lawn checklist

Once your major hazards are cleared, make sure your regular maintenance is safe for your furry friend. As mentioned in the beginning of this article, many lawn care products are not safe for pets. Here are some of the products you’ll need to research before buying and applying:

1. Make sure you’re using a pet friendly lawn fertilizer.

2. Choose a pet friendly lawn weed killer, or let the experts choose one for you.

3. Find a  pet friendly weed and feed for lawns if you’re going to use one.

4. Only buy pet safe bug killer for lawns, or leave that to us. We offer fully organic mosquito and tick control that leaves your lawn smelling like fresh cedar.

5. Check all seed and plant types before planting to make sure they’re safe for pets. 

6. If you buy a “spot repair formula” to repair damage from pet urine and feces, check the label for chemical safety warnings. 

How to protect your lawn from pet damage 

Now that you’ve protected your pet from harsh lawn care products, make sure you protect your lawn from pet damage too! Animal waste can cause damage to your lawn, so start by cleaning up after your pet’s messes as soon as you notice them. You may want to section off a part of the lawn just for your pet’s bathroom duties. 

Free roaming pets are less likely than chained animals to do damage to your turf from repeated traffic wear, so consider keeping your pet chain-free and instead training them to stay within the perimeter of your outdoor space. If you absolutely must tether your pet, consider moving the location of the tether or chain periodically in order to reduce heavy traffic in a single location.

You might also want to consider keeping a section of your yard wild, and filling it with wildflowers and native plants instead of planting grass seed and maintaining it. Not only does it support pollinators which are vital for ecosystem health, but it also allows you to let your pet roam, dig, and do damage in an area that you don’t use for entertaining your human friends. Other options are to create an area of your yard with dog-friendly mulch or artificial turf that can be easily cleaned. 

In the areas that do have grass, make sure you choose a hardy grass seed that grows quickly and suits the climate and the amount of sun or shade your lawn gets. Water regularly, aerate and reseed in the fall, and remember your pet-friendly products to keep your lawn as healthy as possible. 

Searching for “pet-friendly lawn care near me?” Search no further

Green Roots Organics is your local lawn care expert and we offer fully organic and semi-organic lawn care services that pet parents love! No matter which option you choose, all of our products are high-quality, low-toxicity, and EPA-approved to keep your pets and family safe all year round. You can enjoy a beautiful, lush lawn and give your furry friends room to roam with our eco-friendly lawn care services this summer. Just get in touch today and we’ll send you a free estimate!

We can also help you find natural products that are safer for your pet, and do a lawn analysis by testing your soil health. We can repair pet damage from urine and feces and use natural ingredients to restore your once beautiful lawn with green grass and proper soil health.