What happens when pets walk on weed killers?

Weed killers are designed to keep lawns and parks looking pristine. But what really happens when pets walk (or lie) on grass that’s just been sprayed with weed killers and pesticides? Well, plenty.

Especially when a dog and cat’s favourite past time is licking those feet and bellies soon after being in the park.

Why it's a big deal:

This area has become a hot topic after ‘glyphosate’, the chemical found in Roundup, was listed as a ‘probable carcinogen’ in people by the World Health Organisation or WHO.

So what’s the deal with pets?

Not only are the controls on pets and garden chemicals not as strict, our pets don’t play by the rules. They walk everywhere! In parks, nature strips, lawns and garden beds so there’s more exposure.

The effect is then supercharged when dogs and cats groom or lick themselves. Taking those chemicals from their skin and coat, inside the body.

In fact, research has shown the levels of glyphosate in dogs are up to 30x higher than in people. 

Here are the facts:

• A 6 year Tufts University study showed a 70% increase in lymphoma with garden chemical use
• A 2013 study showed an increase risk of bladder cancer with lawn chemicals
• Acute, high level exposure of dogs to glyphosate (Roundup) causes vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures and even death.

So what can you do?

Garden chemicals and weed killers are something I’ve been avoiding for years. And I find these two steps make a huge difference…

1. Go chemical free. Pouring boiling water straight from the kettle onto a weed is an instant and chemical free alternative. N.B. There are some organic alternatives (like pine oil, alcohol and white vinegar that also seem to work reasonably well.

2. Remove residues. While public parks need to disclose the use of chemicals, lawns and edges certainly don’t. So make a foot-bath part of your post-walk routine. It also doubles as a skin soother after exposure to those itch-inducing grasses and weeds that cause the foot licking.

My 2 minute licky feet hack is the perfect post-park routine to make them chemical and allergy free. You can find it here…

These chemicals are invisible challenges you’re often not aware of until it’s too late. So just straight up avoidance is always the best policy. That way, everyone can rest easy…

Written and researched by Dr Chris Brown BVSc (Hons) and not some AI bot 😳

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