After a long, cold winter, we are again out in the yard, mowing and pruning. Having our pets outside with us while we work makes the day more enjoyable. The sight of a dog rolling around joyfully in the grass is one that fills us with the same amount of happiness. But if you've treated your lawn or shrubbery with chemical-laden pesticides or weed killers, your pet, your children, and you could be in danger.
According to published studies(*), dogs exposed to herbicide-treated lawns and gardens can double their chance of developing canine lymphoma. For some breeds, exposure also increases their risk of bladder cancer by four to seven times.
Exposure may not always be avoided simply by keeping off the grass. Toxins can also drift inside through windows and tracked in on shoes. The residue can then contaminate the air, surfaces and carpets inside the home, exposing your family via skin contact, ingestion and breathing.
But dousing your lawn in chemicals to keep away weeds and pests is not the only option. Safe, natural, organic products and services are available from companies like Good Nature Organic Lawn Care, an Ohio based company that serves the Cleveland and Columbus areas.
"Our products are made from things that may be in [pet] food already: Soybean Meal, Alfalfa Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Molasses etc.," said Alec McClennan, Good Nature's President.
Products from organic-based companies like Good Nature are made from natural, mostly food-grade materials, and do not contain any human or animal waste. Good Nature will care for your lawn, or you can follow the tips at their website to care for your lawn yourself with their products, which are available at many Northeast Ohio garden centers.
But what if you live in an apartment or condo? How do you know if the land is safe for your pet? Follow these tips to keep your pet, and your entire family, safe and healthy:
- Ask your landlord or association who they use for landscaping and research the company.
- If the company is not organically based, "keep your dog leashed and stay off the grass, especially after it has been treated," said McClennan.
- Ask that they switch to an organic program. Print information off the internet from credible sources. Remind them that it would be a great selling point.
- If they refuse and you have a section of lawn directly in front of your door, ask to opt-out of their lawn service and treat yourself or hire a company like Good Nature. If you can get together a handful of other residents who also wish to opt-out, the association might be able to save money. Or better yet, they might realize how important healthy lawn care is.
More Reading: PesticideFreeLawns.org
Comments
Great article on an often-overlooked subject. Since our furry friends groom themselves, particularly if they sense something on them that doesn't belong, so using herbicides and pesticides on your lawn is almost like adding it to their food. If you're unable to control your environment, we can look to the Asian custom of removing one's shoes before entering the house and use booties to cover our pets' feet while they are outside, then removing them prior to the pets' re-entry into the house.
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