Is Weed Killers & Herbicides Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
Weed killers are mildly toxic to both cats and dogs once dry — wet granules or concentrates cause drooling and vomiting. Concentrate ingestion or paraquat exposure is a dire emergency.
Usually minor, but watch for symptoms.
Usually minor, but watch for symptoms.
In an emergency, do not wait.
Medical disclaimer: This tool is for general information only and isnot a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Toxicity depends on the amount, your pet’s size, and health history. If your pet may have ingested something harmful, contact your veterinarian or a poison control hotline ((888) 426-4435 / (855) 764-7661) immediately — do not wait for symptoms to appear.
What is Weed Killers & Herbicides?
Weed killers are mildly toxic to both cats and dogs once dry — wet granules or concentrates cause drooling and vomiting. Concentrate ingestion or paraquat exposure is a dire emergency.
Also known as: weed killer, glyphosate, roundup, 2 4-d, paraquat, weed and feed, lawn herbicide, pesticide spray, weed b gon.
Symptoms to Watch For
🐕 In Dogs
- Drooling, vomiting, and mild diarrhea after licking wet or granular product
- Mouth and paw irritation from walking on wet treated grass
- Increased thirst
- Severe signs (tremors, collapse) are rare and mostly from concentrates or industrial products
🐈 In Cats
- Drooling and vomiting after grooming product off fur or paws
- Mouth and paw irritation
- Lethargy and reduced appetite
- Severe signs are rare and mostly from concentrates
What to Do If Ingested
- Move the pet off the treated area and wipe or rinse paws and belly.
- Rinse the mouth and offer fresh water.
- Keep the product label — the active ingredient determines the risk.
- Call a vet or poison hotline if concentrate was ingested or symptoms persist.
Steps apply to both cats and dogs. When in doubt, call a vet or poison hotline before acting. Have a cat? Run the Pet Poison Triage Wizard for cat-specific steps.
When to Call the Vet Immediately
Call your veterinarian or a poison control hotline right away if you notice any of these:
- Any concentrated product was eaten (undiluted bottle, sprayer tank)
- Repeated vomiting, tremors, or wobbliness
- Difficulty breathing or collapse — emergency
- Persistent drooling or refusal to eat
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roundup (glyphosate) dangerous to pets?
Ready-to-use glyphosate products are among the milder herbicides — after the spray has fully dried, a pet walking on the lawn faces little risk, and a small lick of dried residue causes at most mild stomach upset. The dangers are the wet product, the concentrates, and other additives in the formulation. Keep pets off until dry (usually 24 hours), and store the bottle sealed — an undiluted drink is a real poisoning.
Which herbicide should I be genuinely scared of?
Paraquat. It is extremely toxic in tiny amounts — a single lick of concentrate causes progressive, irreversible lung scarring and has no antidote. It is restricted in many countries but found in agricultural settings and some imported products; any suspected exposure is a drop-everything emergency. Also treat "weed and feed" combinations seriously, since they mix herbicide with fertilizer (see our fertilizer page) and sometimes insecticide.
My dog licked paws after a neighbor sprayed. What now?
Rinse the paws and mouth, offer water, and watch for drooling or vomiting over the next few hours. If the spray was visibly wet when your dog walked through, or your dog develops repeated vomiting or wobbliness, call a vet and, if possible, ask the neighbor what product they used — the active ingredient changes everything. Dried residue on a lawn is unlikely to cause more than mild, transient upset.
Sources
This entry is reviewed against the following authoritative veterinary sources.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-16