Garden and pest control
Is garden fertiliser toxic to cats and dogs?
Also sold as plant food, lawn feed, bone meal, blood meal
Cats
Mildly toxicDogs
Mildly toxicMost fertilisers cause only a stomach upset. Those with bone meal or blood meal can cause pancreatitis or a blockage, and "weed and feed" or products with insecticides can be much more dangerous.
By Maya HartIf your pet got into it
- Rinse the mouth and wash off paws.
- Call your vet or a poison helpline, with the product label — added insecticides change everything.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Drooling
- Belly pain
- Tremors or seizures if insecticides are included
How much is dangerous
Small amounts usually cause mild signs; bags chewed open and eaten in quantity need a vet.
Keeping it safe
- Keep pets off treated lawns until watered in and dry
- Store bags sealed and off the ground
The details
Dogs are drawn to organic fertilisers made from bone, blood and fish. Bone meal can set like concrete in the stomach, and fatty blood and fish meals can trigger pancreatitis.
Questions owners ask
Is garden fertiliser toxic to cats?
Yes — mildly toxic.
Is garden fertiliser toxic to dogs?
Yes — mildly toxic.
How much is dangerous?
Small amounts usually cause mild signs; bags chewed open and eaten in quantity need a vet.
What should I do if my pet got into it?
Rinse the mouth and wash off paws. Call your vet or a poison helpline, with the product label — added insecticides change everything.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts