Most homeowners understand the importance of keeping a beautiful, weed-free garden or yard, but what if you also have dogs? It’s lovely to have a weed-free yard or garden, but many weed killers on the market are loaded with dangerous chemicals.
Most harmful products including salt, arsenite, borax, or arsenic are no longer available, but certain weed killers, such as Roundup, may contain inactive substances that can cause burns, rashes, blisters, diarrhoea, vomiting, or death in dogs.
The bottom line is that chemical-laden weed killers may cause an allergic reaction or result in your dog’s death, but there are organic, pet-friendly weed killer alternatives. Remember that many of these formulae are non-selective, which means they’ll harm your lawn as well.
We decided to investigate and test the finest pet-safe weed killers because finding a weed killer that works while also being safe for your dogs can be difficult. We selected over a dozen products and tested them at home. We then reduced it down to six top choices.
How We Tested The Best Pet Safe Weed Killers
Many weed killers include dangerous chemicals that can harm your dog.
In regions where vegetation needs to be cleaned, non-selective weed killers are commonly utilised. These formulae are safe because they contain salt and vinegar, but if you spray them all over your grass, it will die.
We looked into all of the pet-safe formulations on the market to see what we could do to get rid of weeds without harming our dogs.
The ingredients were the first item we looked at. Although not all weed killers specify all of the chemicals, we discovered that vinegar was frequently indicated as the acetic acid and that a concentration of 10% to 30% had the best results.
Another important component is salt, a saline solution, or even “real” ocean water. Salt is an excellent ground-clearing element since it prevents vegetation from developing in the region for a long period.
We also checked to see if the weed pesticides contained glyphosate. This pesticide has been related to cancer in dogs, according to several studies.
Another no-no is iron, which can cause cardiac, metabolic, and gastrointestinal problems.
Then we looked at who the product kills. We found that the most effective pet-safe weed pesticides are non-selective. They destroy anything they come into contact with, but they do it swiftly and effectively, and once the formula has dried, pets and children can return to the area.
We looked into the frequency of application and, of course, the product’s safety for your dogs. We identified the best six pet-safe weed killers, as well as five runner-ups, based on our study. Continue reading to find out why we chose the products we did.
Best Pet Safe Weed Killers
Best Overall: Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed Killer
Product Rating
| Ingredients: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | What it Kills: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Application: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Size: 1 gallon | |
| Primary ingredient: 20% acetic acid | |
| Brand: Green Gobbler | |
| Formula: Glyphosate-free |
Pros
- Certified organic
- Fit for residential use
- No-quibbles money-back guarantee
Cons
- Doesn’t completely kill weeds and we had to reapply
- Lack of transparency of ingredients
- Cannot be applied to a lawn
You can’t go wrong with Green Gobbler and its certified organic formula if you have dogs at home. The main ingredient is vinegar, but the 20 per cent concentration makes it far more potent than culinary vinegar, which is only 5 per cent concentrated.
The extremely acidic mixture can be sprayed directly onto your weeds from the bottle. It immediately goes to work and destroys both weeds and grass.
It’s suitable for usage in residential, commercial, and agricultural environments. It’s also the ideal all-purpose weed killer for environmentally aware pet owners who need to get rid of weeds in the yard quickly.
The primary issue we had with this product was its lack of clarity when it came to other ingredients. Although Green Gobbler claims that the mixture is glyphosate-free and biodegradable, no more information regarding the components is provided.
We discovered throughout our testing that weeds will grow back, and we had to reapply to keep them at bay, so keep your expectations in check.
Green Gobbler is the ideal compromise between keeping your dog safe and having a solution that is efficient against weeds in general.
Best Quick Acting Formula: WeedKil Fast Acting Weed Killer
Product Rating
| Ingredients: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | What it Kills: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Application: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Size: 5 litres | |
| Primary ingredient: 60mg/l acetic acid | |
| Brand: Weedkil | |
| Formula: Glyphosate-free |
Pros
- Eco-friendly natural organic weed killer
- Fast-acting and effective all year round
- Dries up within 20 minutes
Cons
- Doesn’t kill the roots
- Needs several applications to be effective
WeedKil Fast Acting Weed Killer is an effective organic herbicide that can be used to kill broadleaf weeds, annual grasses and other troublesome plants. The product is made of natural ingredients and poses no harm to people, pets or the environment.
WeedKil Fast Acting Weed Killer is a contact herbicide, which means it kills the weed by coming into direct contact with it. The product is non-selective, which means it will kill any weed it comes into contact with.
Can be used on a variety of surfaces, including lawns, gardens, driveways and sidewalks. It is also safe to use around trees, flowers and other plants.
Best Organic Formula: Weedi Safe Weed Killer
Product Rating
| Ingredients: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | What it Kills: ⭐⭐⭐ | Application: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Size: 5 litres | |
| Primary ingredient: 200g/l acetic acid | |
| Brand: Weedi Safe | |
| Formula: Glyphosate-free |
Pros
- Fast-acting weed killer
- Degrades promptly within the soil
- Controls annual and perennial weeds
Cons
- Requires several applications to be effective
- Too gentle an alternative to traditional weed killers
- Will not kill deep-rooted perennials
Weedi safe pet safe weed killer comes in a 5 litre container and is organic, non-toxic and glyphosate free. It can be safely used around pets and children and is an effective weed killer for driveways, paths, borders and general garden weeding.
Weedi Safe pet safe weed killer is biodegradable, non-flammable and does not contain any harmful chemicals. It is ideal for use around the home and garden and can be used on all types of plants, flowers and trees.
Weedi Safe pet safe weed killer is easy to use, simply pour it over the weeds and they will die within a few days. It is also an economical weed killer, as a little goes a long way.
Derived from corn naturally grown in the UK. Non-toxic, vegan-friendly and environmentally friendly.
Best Natural Weed Killer: Enviro Works Weed Gone Weed Killer
Product Rating
| Ingredients: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | What it Kills: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Application: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Size: 2 x 5 litres | |
| Primary ingredient: 60g/l acetic acid | |
| Brand: Enviro Works | |
| Formula: Glyphosate-free |
Pros
- Effective all year round
- Results visible in 1 hour
- Fully degrades into the soil
Cons
- Covers only a small area
- Requires several applications to be effective
Enviro Works Weed Gone Weed Killer is the perfect choice for your weed control needs. This product is an environmentally friendly and biodegradable weed killer that is safe to use around people, pets, and plants.
Weed Gone Weed Killer is a contact herbicide that quickly kills weeds by damaging their cell membranes. It is also rainfast within minutes, so you can apply it and let the rain take care of the rest. Weed Gone Weed Killer is also non-toxic and safe to use around children and pets.
Weed Gone Weed Killer is perfect for use in lawns, gardens, flower beds, and other areas where weeds are a problem.
FAQs
Is Glyphosate Harmful To Dogs?
Glyphosate is the most frequently used herbicide in the world because it is so effective, but it has been linked to cancer. As a result, we believe it is equally detrimental to dogs, especially if they come into touch with it frequently.
Glyphosate is “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” according to the World Health Organization. It is safe to use, according to the EPA, as long as it is used exactly as directed on the label.
How Can I Kill Weeds If I Have A Dog At Home?
Either a vinegar-based or a salt-based solution is your best bet. If you’re going to use vinegar, make sure to buy a solution that’s between 10% and 30% strength. Compare this to the 5% vinegar you have in your kitchen cabinet.
Mixing a salt-based solution with some water and spraying liberally all over your weeds, avoiding grass and plants you don’t want to destroy, is the ideal approach to apply it.
In conclusion
Many weed killers are not safe for pets. Even if you’re careful to avoid spraying herbicides near your pet’s favourite spot to pee, accidents can happen. And if you have a curious pet, they may end up licking or eating something they shouldn’t.
Our list of the best pet-safe weed killers that you can trust to keep your furry friends safe and healthy will help you tackle your weed problems whilst protecting your loved ones.
There are a number of weed killers on the market that are pet safe. If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly and pet-safe option, look for herbicides that contain pelargonic acid or fatty acids as the main ingredient. These ingredients work to break down the plant’s cell walls, killing the weed without any harm coming to your beloved pet.
Want to know more about Pet-Safe Weed Killers?
Knotweed Removal aims to provide the most up-to-date information, help and advice for YOU to make informed decisions. If you are unsure or uncertain about how to proceed, please reach out to us and we will gladly come back and advise you as best we can.
Governmental advice can be found here and the UK law covering the removal of Japanese Knotweed as stated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 can be found here.
The best means to contact us is via our email – hello@knotweedremoval.tips
Do not forget we have a library of blogs covering many areas relevant to Japanese Knotweed, our free downloadable How-to Guides and Product Reviews on the latest methods being employed to eradicate or remove Japanese Knotweed.
Knotweed Removal, UK
