Some of us may prefer good old elbow grease to keep weeds away, but for pet owners who want to spruce up their yards and prefer to use lawn care products, reading the label and using the products properly is the key to keeping pets safe. Problems usually arise only when people apply lawn care products incorrectly or when a pet is accidentally sprayed or allowed on a freshly sprayed lawn too soon.

Most lawn care products fall into three categories: fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides. And if used correctly most may not cause a problem.

But everybody makes mistakes. It isn't unheard of for a person to grab a bottle of herbicide instead of the flea spray and accidentally douse the dog. "With these yard products, any direct exposure can be a problem," says Dr. Volmer of the University of Illinois. "If you find your pet rolling or walking in a recently sprayed area or spray him by accident, immediately wash the substance off with a mild dish soap, such as Dawn, and contact a veterinarian." Dr. Volmer notes that insecticides tend to be more toxic to pets than herbicides or fertilizers. "There are a few insecticides for use in the garden, especially those for roses and molluscicides for snails, that can be very toxic. People need to be especially careful with these products around animals."

Your pets will thank you for following instructions and using common sense with lawn care products. So, put your animal in a safe place, away from the area of application. Store all fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides where pets cannot gain access. Keep all products in the original container and make sure the label is intact and readable before using. Then, always read the label and follow directions exactly. And finally, make sure a treated lawn is completely dry after waiting the maximum period recommended on the label. To be extra safe, consider watering down the lawn after application and letting it dry before allowing pets into the area.