If you've got a dog and a lawn, it's important that you know how lawn chemicals can affect your pet. Not only can lawn chemicals have an immediate impact on your pet, there is a potential impact from long-term, low level exposure. This includes agriculture and lawn chemicals like fungicides, herbicides and pesticides, as well as other industrial chemicals like oils, paints, solvents and the like.

There have been studies conducted regarding dogs and exposure to 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicides which prove that dogs do pick up the chemicals when they've been on recently sprayed lawns as 2, 4-D has been found excreted in their urine. Some also suggest that this exposure may be linked to malignant lymphoma. Other pesticides are also giving cause for concern.

Though more research and testing is needed, pet owners can take some precautions. Follow product instructions very closely and make sure that your pet is restricted from accessing the lawn following the application of the chemical for the time stated. If you can't do that, reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals on your lawn in places that your pet uses. If your pet is exposed to a large amount of chemicals, he may experience diarrhea, vomiting, and nervous system problems and you should contact your vet immediately.