Lawn Insecticide and Pets
Find out if Lawn Insecticide is toxic to dogs and cats.
Think your pet ate something toxic?
Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 or view emergency guide
Lawn insecticides pose a serious poisoning risk to dogs and cats. These products are formulated to kill insects in turf and grass, but many active ingredients—such as pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, organophosphates, and carbamates—are toxic to pets if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Granules that stick to paws, wet spray residues on grass blades, and drinking from puddles near a treated area are common exposure routes.
Pets can be poisoned by walking across a freshly treated lawn and then licking their feet, chewing on granules, or rolling in treated grass before the product has dried or been watered in. Even products marketed as "granular" or "natural" can be dangerous if consumed in large enough amounts. Cats are especially sensitive to pyrethroid insecticides, and even small exposures can cause severe neurological signs.
Always keep pets off treated areas until the product is completely dry or the granules have been watered in according to the label, whichever is longer. Store unused products in a locked cabinet out of reach of pets and children. Consider integrated pest management or biological controls such as beneficial nematodes, and consult a veterinarian for flea, tick, and grub prevention plans that are safe for your pets.
Is Lawn Insecticide Toxic to Dogs?
Dogs are at risk of poisoning from lawn insecticides through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. Pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates, and neonicotinoids are common active ingredients that can cause serious neurological, gastrointestinal, and respiratory symptoms.
Is Lawn Insecticide Toxic to Cats?
Cats are highly sensitive to many lawn insecticides, especially pyrethroids and organophosphates. Even small exposures from grooming paws or walking on treated grass can lead to severe tremors, seizures, and life-threatening neurotoxicity.
Active Ingredients
- bifenthrin
- imidacloprid
- carbaryl
- permethrin
- cyfluthrin
- malathion
- chlorantraniliprole
- trichlorfon
Pest Targeted
- Grubs, chinch bugs, sod webworms, ants, fleas, ticks, cutworms, billbugs, and other lawn-damaging insects
Formulation
Granules, liquid concentrates, ready-to-spray bottles, and dusts
Signal Word
caution
Application Area
Residential lawns, turf grass, ornamental plantings, and landscaped areas
EPA Registration Number
EPA Reg. No. varies by product
Symptoms to Watch For
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- excessive drooling
- tremors
- seizures
- weakness
- ataxia
- difficulty breathing
- lethargy
- skin irritation
- dilated pupils
- hypersalivation
What If My Pet Was Exposed to Lawn Insecticide?
Remove your pet from the treated area immediately. If the product is on skin or paws, rinse with lukewarm water and mild dish soap. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a veterinary professional. Contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center right away, and bring the product label with you.
Sources
Vet's Note
PetPilot provides general information for educational purposes. While we reference authoritative veterinary organizations, this page has not been individually reviewed by a veterinarian for your specific pet. Individual animals may react differently based on age, weight, breed, health conditions, and amount consumed. Always consult your veterinarian or a poison control center for personalized advice, especially if your pet is ill, injured, pregnant, nursing, or on medication.