Lawn Fertilizer Allergies in Dogs

As a pet parent, you may not realize that the products you're using to feed your lawn are actually toxic to dogs and can cause allergy symptoms as well. These fertilizers can even be deadly if your dog ingests a substantial amount.

Although some fertilizers are safe for your pet to walk on after they dry, your dog may decide to snack on the grass instead of walking on it. In addition, some types of fertilizers can transfer to your dog’s footpads and cause irritation, which leads to your dog licking and chewing on them. This is especially likely after rain or in the early morning when the grass is wet.

Any reaction to lawn fertilizer exposure may be considered an allergy, but it is just as likely to be a toxic reaction to the chemicals in the product. If you intend to use these products, you should read the warning labels and consider switching to a natural fertilizer with no toxic chemicals.

Most commercial lawn fertilizers are toxic to dogs. Even if your dog is not technically allergic to them, make sure your canine companion is not exposed to them. Though most lawn fertilizers state they are safe once they are dry, your dog may still be affected by eating or licking the grass, or their feet and belly. Pets can also breathe in the chemicals from the fertilizer in the basement or shed where you store it, so be sure it's kept in an airtight container away from pets and children.

The weed-and-feed type of fertilizers are never safe, even after they dry, and can cause diseases such as bladder cancer, lymphoma, and asthma. Although organic fertilizers can be better, they are not necessarily safe, and can cause inhalant and contact allergic reactions as well as pancreatitis and intestinal issues.

Mild exposure from walking on your lawn after treatment with fertilizer may cause irritation to the lungs, feet, and eyes. If your dog ingests the product by licking and chewing on their feet or eating the grass, they may experience the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Anxiety
• Coughing
• Diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Lethargy and sleepiness
• Licking or chewing on feet
• Red, painful foot pads
• Sneezing
• Vomiting
• Watery eyes and excessive blinking

If your dog eats a substantial amount of fertilizer instead of accidentally ingesting it from the lawn, the symptoms can be much more serious. These symptoms can be separated into three sections, which are central (peripheral activity), muscarinic (parasympathetic activity), and nicotinic (neural and neuromuscular activity).

Central symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Coma
• Convulsions
• Agitation
• Involuntary movements of the tongue
• Loss of voluntary movement
  
• Uncontrollable repetitive movements
• Impaired digestion
  
• Nerve pain and tingling
  
• Numbness
  
• Sweating
• Respiratory distress
• Restlessness

Muscarinic symptoms:

• Breathing trouble
• Decreased heart rate (bradycardia)
• Diarrhea
• Dilated pupils
• Excessive salivation
• Frequent urination
• Gastric cramping
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Slow reflexes
• Vomiting
• Watery eyes

Nicotinic symptoms:

• Cramping
• Muscle weakness
• Paralysis
• Respiratory paralysis
• Twitching muscles
• Weakness

 Types:

Almost all types of commercial lawn fertilizer have some amount of certain products that can cause an allergic or toxic reaction in your dog:

• Boron
• Cobalt
• Copper
• Disulfoton
• Fungicides
• Herbicides
• Iron
• Manganese
• Nitrogen
• Pesticides
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Zinc

The most common cause of lawn fertilizer allergies is accidental ingestion from exposure to a treated lawn, although there have also been many cases of dogs eating the fertilizer itself. In addition, some breeds tend to be more susceptible to fertilizer allergies.

• Beagles
• Scottish Terriers
• Shetland Sheepdogs
• West Highland White Terriers
• Wirehair Terriers

The first thing your veterinarian will do is stabilize your dog if necessary by providing intravenous (IV) fluids and oxygen. The team will ask you to provide as much information as you can about what you think your dog may have been exposed to, how much, when it happened, and symptoms you have seen. It may be good to bring a sample of the fertilizer or label from the product that you used so the veterinarian can find out what may be causing your dog’s allergy symptoms. Make sure to provide your dog’s medical history, any previous illnesses or injuries, and vaccination records.

A physical examination will come next, which includes:

• Weight
• Height
• Reflexes
• Body temperature
• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Breathing
• Blood oxygen level
• Overall appearance
  

Your vet may also conduct lab tests, including:

• A complete blood count (CBC) to determine the cholinesterase activity
• A urinalysis to check kidney activity
• Liver enzyme levels to check for liver function
• A blood chemistry profile for pancreatitis and glucose levels. 

The intravenous (IV) fluids will be continued until the veterinarian is sure that the fertilizer has been flushed from your dog’s system. If the veterinarian suspects organ damage, your dog may need to spend 24 to 36 hours in the hospital for observation.

If it was just an allergic reaction to mild exposure, corticosteroid cream and hypoallergenic shampoo will help get rid of the itching in about a week. Immunotherapy shots are sometimes suggested to desensitize your dog from an allergy, but it is best not to subject your pet to any more exposure to most fertilizers on the market. The veterinarian will probably recommend you stop using the lawn treatment or fence off that area to keep your dog from being exposed.

You should see improvement in your dog right away if the exposure was mild and just an allergic reaction. As long as you keep your furry friend from being exposed to fertilizer from now on, there should be no lasting complications. If there is any damage to the organs or nervous system, further treatment will be required. The recovery will depend on the amount of lawn fertilizer your dog was exposed to. If you have questions or concerns during the recovery time, give your veterinarian a call right away.