Plant fertiliser is very commonly used to promote the growth of both indoor and outdoor plants and flowers. Most general purpose fertilisers contain varying quantities of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) - commonly referred to on packaging as N-P-K. Fortunately, N-P-K is poorly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. However some fertilisers may contain other substances such as irons, zinc, copper, manganese, boron, cobalt and molybdenum in  concentrations which may be toxic to our pets. Furthermore, some products may contain bone meal, herbicides (weed killer) and fungicides (pesticides that kill or prevent the growth of fungi and their spores). 

Pets are curious by nature and it is not uncommon for them to be accidentally exposed to plant fertilisers. Pets love to investigate new things by digging, scratching, sniffing, licking and chewing on objects and plant material. The most common route of exposure by a pet is by ingestion. Accidental exposure is much more likely if the container of fertiliser has not been properly secured and stored following its use or if the container has been damaged. 

Signs of poisoning 

Pets show signs of plant fertiliser exposure anywhere from immediately to two days following exposure. Small ingestions of plant fertiliser may only result in a mild stomach upset however larger ingestions can result in severe poisoning due to irons, nitrogen and other potential included chemicals. Symptoms include: 

 -    Excessive drooling 

-    Nausea 

-    Vomiting 

-    Diarrhoea 

-    Abnormal body posture due to abdominal pain 

-    Difficulty breathing 

-    ‘Muddy’ coloured gums 

-    Skin ulcerations and redness 

-    Excessive tear production and redness to the eyes 

Decontamination 

While waiting for your appointment to see your vet and if your pet appears to be stable, conscious and standing, the vet may advise you on the following steps: 

Bathing:   

Gently bathe your pet’s coat with soap or washing up liquid and room-temperature water. It is important to avoid scrubbing and irritating the skin.  

Eyes:  

Eyes can be flushed copiously with saline or cooled boiled water. This will reduce the chance of further ingestion and absorption of the toxin.  

Inhalation:  

If you are concerned that your pet inhaled any of this product it is important to move your pet into fresh air while keeping your pet warm and resting. 

Prevention

Prevention is better than cure so here are some helpful tips on how best to protect your pet from accidental poisoning:  

 -    Avoid the use of fertilisers where pets may gain access to the product 

-    Store containers in a secure and well-ventilated area, out of the reach of pets and     children. 

-    Keep pets away from areas where fertilisers have been used. 

-    Keep away from pet foods. 

-    Follow the instructions of the product carefully. 

-    Store in a secure outer container and check the container and its lid regularly for any     signs of damage or leaking. 

The packaging should always be clearly labelled, untarnished and display all ingredients and concentrations included in the mix. Prior to purchase it is good practice to assess if the specific product you are choosing contains any potentially harmful ingredients to pets, wildlife or the environment. If you are unsure regarding the contents and their potential to be harmful to pets please be sure to consult with the specific product data sheet, which should be accessible online. 

We should always take care to protect ourselves while using these products but we should also take extra care and consider the impact their use can have on the environment, pets and on wildlife which frequent the area being treated. We advise to always make an informed decision, do your research and if you deem this product to be essential to please choose your preparation extremely carefully.