5 Pet-Friendly Weed Killer Products For A Safe & Stunning Lawn

For pet owners, there is a delicate balance between keeping a home problem-free without making it un-pet-friendly. After all, one of the top ways to get your home ready for a new pet is to ensure there are no lurking dangers for them to find. Those dangers extend outside too, into the yard, where only pet-friendly weed killers are your best prevention pals. 

It seems counterproductive for a weed killer to be toxic enough to knock out a noxious weed, but gentle enough to be encountered by your pup, cat, or guinea pig. Yet, it's true! There are ways to damper the dandelions without risking the health of your furry friends, because many weed killers use fewer toxic chemicals. Instead, they're relying on ingredients like vinegar to get the job done. You can even substitute pantry ingredients like vinegar for your own weed killer.

One way you can keep your pets safer, even with the use of pet-friendly products, is by doubling or tripling the wait time after application. It's advised to keep pets off the lawn for at least 48 hours, regardless of what the instructions say. That way their exposure to the weed killer is lessened. Even the National Pesticide Information Center reminds weed killer users that something labeled "natural" doesn't always equate to being "safe."

Slated as an organic gardening tool, BioSafe Weed & Grass Killer is considered a pet-friendly herbicide option. The main ingredient is ammonium nonanoate, which is a common organic herbicide. It is USDA certified, EPA-registered, and OMRI [Organic Materials Review Institute] listed. BioSafe lists its weed killer as applicable to a wide range of weeds from crabgrass and moss to chickweed and pigweed.

Since it is a non-selective herbicide, it is important to only apply the weed killer on plants you want to kill — because it will kill any plants it comes in contact with. After applying to unwanted foliage, the plants should show signs of tissue death within a few hours. At the time of writing, the product is available on Amazon in a 1-gallon container for $80, or a case of two 1-gallon containers for $140.

Consumers also rave about the efficacy of the weed killer, even after years of using traditional chemical herbicides. One Amazon reviewer, a former Roundup user, loved the switch over and wrote: "The action is physical, not chemical. BioSafe kills plants by dissolving the leaf cells with soap. [W]hereas Roundup kills the plant by inhibiting an enzyme (a chemical response)...It is not persistent in the soil and can be replanted with days." However, several other reviewers noted that the weeds that died came back quickly.

As one of the more wallet-friendly options of the pet-friendly weed killers, Eco Living Solutions' Natural Weed Killer Concentrate is primarily clove and lemongrass oil. Essential oils like these are known for their herbicidal properties and are excellent for making your own DIY weed killer, too! ECO Living Solutions also claims that this product is the only pet-safe, concentrated weed killer available. 

One 16-ounce container of this herbicide is supposed to cover over 2,000 square feet of foliage and can be used in sprayers as well. The Eco Living Solutions website recommends applying the herbicide in the early afternoon when the temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. As of the time of this writing, you can purchase a 16- or 32-ounce bottle on Amazon for $34.95 and $53.95, respectively, or either size from the Eco Living Solutions' website for $35.05 and $54.95. 

About 50% of customers on Amazon have given this herbicide a 5-star review, with a smattering of the other customers giving it a range of alternative stars. One Amazon shopper who operates a dog park utilizes it to keep the weeds at bay and hasn't had any problem with weeds returning or negative reactions from the animals. However, most of the Amazon customers who gave the product a 1-star review indicate that it didn't work at all for them. 

Utilizing the weed demolishing power of vinegar, the weed and grass killer from Green Gobbler fights back with the familiar ingredient. The herbicide is derived from corn, is OMRI-listed, and can combat both annual and perennial pesky weeds.

Of the five pet-friendly weed killers, the Green Gobbler is among the most readily available. At the time of writing, you can purchase it on the Green Gobbler website, The Home Depot, Amazon, and even Walmart. A gallon costs $27.99, $21.97, $24.98, and $18.98, respectively. However, on Amazon you can also purchase a 1-gallon jug with a trigger, as well as a two-pack and four-pack of the 1-gallon bottle. To apply, simply spray the unwanted plants vigorously in full sunshine and the weeds should start to die within 24 hours. 

Nearly 70% of Amazon buyers gave the weed killer a 5-star rating. Many agree that the product is fast acting and effective without the use of toxic chemicals, though there is a strong vinegar odor. One reviewer noted that none of the weeds returned after a month post-application. Though one Amazon user who otherwise loves Green Gobbler products was disappointed in this specific one. They wrote, "...I sprayed Creeping Charlie, Dandelions and more. They died almost immediately. However, they all were back to their original vigor in 72 -96 hours — as if nothing happened." 

Similar to the BioSafe formula, the main active ingredient in Natria's Grass & Weed Control with Root Kill is soap-based. This formula contains 22% ammoniated soap made with fatty acids to get your weeds under control. Per the Natria website, you should use this product "with young, actively growing weeds, less than 5 inches high" and "anytime of the year." They also note that it "works best during warm and dry conditions when the soil is moist." 

Getting a hold of this natural weed killer is also a breeze. It's available with online retailers like Amazon, as well as brick and mortar locations like Ace Hardware, Walmart, Tractor Supply Co., Lowe's, and more. Depending on the size, the cost appears to range between $20 and $45. According to the company, there are four sizes available: 1 gallon, 1.3 gallon, 24 ounce — all of which are ready-to-use — as well as a 32-ounce concentrate version. 

54% of Amazon reviewers rated the Natria weed killer 5 stars, while 14% gave it 4 stars, and 12% only 3 stars. Overall, the reviewers agree that the weed killer itself is effective, though the sprayer is not. A 3-star reviewer said: "The hose connector from the wand to the bottle is designed with a press fit that doesn't maintain a seal on [its] own. I had to place the bottle on the ground and press very firmly on the connector to maintain a seal and have the fluid flow to the wand; UGH!"

Like many of the other pet-friendly weed killers, the primary ingredients in the Natural Armor variety include vinegar and clove oil. It also contains varying amounts of citric acid, glycerin, and sodium chloride. The company states you should start seeing results in a matter of hours after application, and they boast a 100% money back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with the weed killer for any reason.

At the time of writing, the only two places to purchase this product from are Natural Armor itself and Amazon. On the company site, you can buy a 128 ounce container for $29.95, as well as refills and multiple containers of the weed killer depending on your coverage needs. Those costs range from $28.95 to $84.95. You can also purchase the 128-ounce (1 gallon) container for $29.95 on Amazon or a 2.5 gallon bottle for $59.90.

On Amazon, 56% of customers rated the Natural Armor weed killer at 5 stars. They largely agree that the product is easy to use and effective, though they commonly say it isn't cost effective and the smell is quite potent. One 4-star reviewer noted its potency in effectiveness and scent. "This worked great and killed the mass majority of weeds I needed gone in one pass...[but] THE SMELL! You're spraying outside so it's not that big of a deal but the vinegar forward scent will stick to shoes or clothing if it gets on you..."