If you let your dog loose on a freshly seeded ground of grass, you are in for a major disaster. But how long to keep dog off grass after seeding? Is it OK to put grass seeds with dogs nearby? We answer all these questions here.
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You should keep your dog off the grass for at least six weeks after the grass seeds have germinated which usually takes anywhere from one to three weeks. Six weeks would be enough time for grass to establish its roots and not get damaged with your dog walking or running on it.
Grass seeding with dogs at home is challenging if your dog is used to playing and performing their business on your lawn, but keeping your dog off the freshly seeded areas is crucial.
While grass seeds themselves are rarely harmful to dogs if ingested, if dogs are allowed on a freshly seeded area, there will be a high chance that seeds will not germinate properly, leaving empty patches. Read on below to find out how to keep your dog off the grass after seeding and for how long.
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How Long To Keep Dogs Off Grass Seeds
You would need to keep dogs off grass seeds from anywhere between six to ten weeks after the grass seed plantation.
Plants that are in the stage of germination and growth are delicate and can get damaged easily. After planting the grass seeds, they can take anywhere from one to three weeks to germinate, depending on the type of grass.
Once the grass seeds have germinated, they will take about six weeks to reach their total growth and develop their roots. If a dog walks or runs over the newly seeded grass patch before the grass has enough time to grow its roots, then there is a high chance that the grass will get damaged and uprooted.
How To Keep Dogs Out Of Grass Seed
Add a bit of vinegar, lavender or fence the lawn.
Dogs don’t like the smell of vinegar and lavender. You can try planting lavender along the edges of your lawn to keep dogs out of freshly planted grass seed. Sprinkling vinegar solution also helps keep dogs out of your property.
Fencing your lawn is the best way to keep dogs out of grass seeds. You can also plant spiky plants along the edges of your lawn that will help keep dogs out of your lawn.
How To Plant Grass Seeds With Dogs
You can provide an alternate source of outdoor time for your dog, like taking it on walks or to the park. If your dog is used to doing their business in the grass, you can use the grass pads available in the market.
If your dog is used to playing on the lawn, it will be a difficult task to keep them off the lawn for the first few weeks after planting the grass seeds. If your lawn is big, you can try planting grass seeds in sections.
Make two sections, plant grass seeds in one section, and leave the other for your dog to play. Once the grass seeds have germinated and developed their roots, allow your dog to play in the first section and plant grass seeds in the empty patch. You can also use grass plugs or grass sod to have an instant lawn full of grass.
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Can Dogs Go On A Newly Seeded Lawn?
You should not let your dog anywhere near it.
Unless you want your freshly seeded lawn to be destroyed, it is better if you keep dogs out of it. A newly seeded lawn would take anywhere from one to three weeks to germinate and then another six weeks to grow its roots deep into the ground. It is better to keep your dog off the lawn for this period.
Is It Okay To Put Grass Seeds With Dogs Around?
They are not likely to harm your dog. However, we can’t say the same about the poor seeds.
Sowing grass seeds are not harmful to dogs, and it is perfectly fine to put grass seeds with dogs around. To be on the safe side, look for grass seeds that are not loaded with chemicals to help them grow better if you have dogs around.
If your dog accidentally ingests grass seeds, it most likely won’t cause any harm. However, the fertilizers can cause severe damage to your dog if you are not careful about it. If you have pets, it is best to choose a fertilizer with natural ingredients and, even then, keep your dogs off the grass patch for a few days after you have used the fertilizer.
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Can Grass Seed Hurt Dogs?
Yes, they can cause infections.
Yes, grass seeds can be harmful to dogs. Grass seeds usually have a dart-like structure with one pointed end that can penetrate your dog’s skin or get in their eyes, ears, nose, or mouth and can cause serious infections.
Grass seeds themselves are not harmful to dogs, but if they penetrate the skin or get into any sensitive body parts of your dog, they can cause infections or abscesses.
The symptoms of grass seed penetration vary with the area of the dog’s body that the seed penetrates. However, some of the common symptoms of skin penetration include swelling and redness in the affected area.
Eye Infections
If the grass seed goes into a dog’s eye, it can result in eye infections. Tear discharge is the main symptom, along with redness and swelling in case of eye infection with grass seeds. If a dog inhaled or swallowed grass seeds, it can result in coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, eating, and drinking.
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Injuries
Grass seeds stuck to the paws of dogs can result in them limping. The sooner you remove a grass seed stuck to a dog’s skin, the better it would be for the dog. In extreme cases, the dog might even need surgery.
Grass seeds are not harmful to dogs in general. If the seeds get stuck to their skin or ingested, they can cause problems. After your dog has been out on the lawn or on a walk through the park, it is better to give him a good brushing to remove any grass seed stuck in its fur.
Give your dog a thorough inspection to check for any signs of grass infection if he has been to an area with grass seeds.
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A Few Final Words
Growing grass is a challenging task with dogs around. After planting the grass seeds, you should not let your dogs walk over the seeded patch. Once the seeds germinate, keep your dogs off the grass patch for up to six weeks for the grass to develop its roots deep.
Thank you for reading, we hope we answered all your questions about seeding your lawn and stopping your dog from getting into it. You might also like to read: How To Keep Dog From Opening Door? And How To Keep A Dog From Chewing Off Bandage?