Milorganite is not poisonous or harmful to pets. It is one of the safest organic fertilizers on the market, subject to the strictest EPA regulations. It is safe for exposure to people and animals.
However, some pets, especially dogs, are attracted to the scent of Milorganite. This can cause them to roll in or even eat Milorganite pellets. In order to keep dogs away from Milorganite, store it in place pets cannot reach and water your yard after Milorganite applications.
Why is Milorganite so Safe for Pets?
Milorganite is made by processing the wastewater of the city of Milwaukee, with a strict production tolerance designed to kill all pathogens. Milorganite undergoes stricter EPA testing than synthetic fertilizers, including 20 tests per-day to ensure the product always passes EPA standards for pathogens and heavy metals.
- Kiln-dried at 900℉ to kill all potential pathogens.
- Subject to more stringent safety regulations than synthetic fertilizer.
- Complies with EPA standards to ensure all heavy metals and pathogens are below EPA limits.
By kiln-drying Milorganite at 900℉, pathogens are killed during the Milorganite production process. It is one of the safest fertilizers available—organic or synthetic.
How to Keep Pets Safe When Using Milorganite
Although Milorganite cannot harm your pets, they are often drawn to the smell of Milorganite. If given the opportunity, some dogs will roll in, or even eat, Milorganite. In order to keep pets from these activities, do the following:
- Store Milorganite on a high shelf or in a plastic storage bin to keep pets out.
- After application, water your lawn to pull Milorganite down into the soil.
- Keep pets off newly fertilized lawns for 24 hours.
- Observe pets after you have applied Milorganite.
Dogs are inquisitive creatures with a highly tuned sense of smell. A new lawn fertilizer will likely draw their interest. There is no danger in your pet walking on or sniffing Milorganite. However, an animal that eats Milorganite may experience temporary stomach discomfort. For this reason, it’s best to keep pets from ingesting Milorganite.
Why Your Dog is Attracted to Milorganite
As with most organic fertilizers, Milorganite is made from waste products. What dog doesn’t like to sniff things we humans consider pretty disgusting?
Unlike manure-based organic fertilizer, Milorganite has been treated to meet EPA criteria and is far less likely to harbor pathogens than other organic lawn fertilizers. Simply put, dogs are often interested in the trace smells in Milorganite. They are likely to be equally interested in other fertilizers.
Is Milorganite Poisonous to Dogs?
What if your pet eats Milorganite? Can it cause harm?
No. Milorganite is non-toxic and pathogen-free. A dog that eats Milorganite may experience some vomiting, hard stools, or diarrhea, but this is not life-threatening and will not cause long-term health effects. The stomach and bowel discomfort is chiefly caused by the abrasive texture of Milorganite pellets, not any ingredient in the Milorganite itself.
If your dog has eaten Milorganite and is experiencing these symptoms, allow them plenty of water to combat dehydration from gastrointestinal stress. As always, if you have concerns about the health of your pet, consult your veterinarian.
Is the Iron in Milorganite Harmful to Pets?
While it’s true that iron overdose can be deadly to humans and pets, the iron in Milorganite is non-soluble. What this means is that people and animals cannot process the iron in Milorganite. It will pass through the digestive system without being absorbed by the body.
Non-soluble iron is ignored by the body but great for lawns. The iron in Milorganite will break down in the soil, feeding your grass and encouraging greener color, without putting your pets at risk.
How Long After Applying Milorganite Can You Let Your Dog Out?
Some dogs ignore the presence of Milorganite. Others are driven to sniff, roll in, or eat it. You won’t know until you try, so feel free to let your dog out right after you’ve finished spreading Milorganite. Then, follow these tips:
- Observe your dog when you let it out into a lawn that has recently fertilized with Milorganite.
- If your dog shows interest in the Milorganite, try watering the lawn to break down fertilizer pellets.
- After watering, wait 24 hours to let your dog out into the yard.
If your dog is showing extreme interest in the Milorganite, including eating it, bring your dog inside. Then, water your lawn for 30 minutes, to pull the Milorganite into the soil. Then, if possible, keep your dog off the lawn for 24 hours to allow the smell of fresh Milorganite to dissipate.
If you plan to use other fertilizers with Milorganite, be sure to also consult the packaging of any other products used.
Reduce Your Pets Interest by Watering
Milorganite does not need to be watered into soil to be effective, but watering Milorganite helps break down the pellets and reduce your pet’s interest in the fertilizer.
Your dog will be less likely to try to roll in or ingest Milorganite after watering, and the fertlizer will perform just as well as if you didn’t water it in. It’s not a mandatory step, but it can stop some inquisitive pets.
Is Milorganite Fertilizer Safe for Animals?
As an organic fertilizer subject to the strictest EPA standards for safety, Milorganite is one of the best fertilizers to use if you are a pet owner. Milorganite is non-toxic and meets all EPA standards for pathogens and heavy metals. This is due to Milorganite’s high-temperature processing and its 20-parameter testing plan.
Milorganite will not harm or kill your pets due to exposure or ingestion. Your dog may be driven to roll in freshly spread Milorganite, or even eat it, but this will cause nothing worse than an upset stomach. In order to avoid this, simply water Milorganite into your lawn after application and keep pets off the lawn for 24 hours.