Is lawn rust harmful to dogs?

What is lawn rust?

Lawn rust, also known as orange patch or yellow patch, is a fungal disease that affects cool season grasses like fescue, bluegrass, and ryegrass. The fungus that causes lawn rust is Puccinia graminis. It thrives in cool, wet conditions.

The most noticeable symptom of lawn rust is the appearance of orange, yellow or brown patches on the grass. These patches can range in size from a few inches to several feet. The infected grass blades will turn yellowish-orange or reddish-brown in color. As the fungus develops, yellow, orange or brown powdery spores become visible on the grass blades. These spores rub off easily on shoes, clothing or pet fur.

Lawn rust is most active in the spring and fall when temperatures are 50-65°F and there is abundant moisture from rain, dew or irrigation. Extended periods of leaf wetness allow the spores to germinate and spread. The disease develops rapidly under these ideal conditions.

Is lawn rust harmful to dogs?

Lawn rust itself is not harmful to dogs. Dogs can walk through infected areas of the lawn without any issues. However, there are a few indirect risks to be aware of:

– Rust spores – The orange/brown spores can stick to a dog’s coat, feet or skin. If a dog licks or swallows a large quantity of spores, it could potentially cause some gastrointestinal irritation. The irritation is likely to be mild.

– Chemical treatment – Once lawn rust is detected, many homeowners will apply a fungicide. Pet-safe options are available, but care must be taken to avoid any contact between dogs and freshly treated areas until the fungicide dries.

– Damaged grass – As lawn rust progresses, it can kill grass in patches. These dead spots create openings where dogs could step on sharp objects or be exposed to irritants. Monitor affected areas and consider blocking them off to allow new grass to establish.

– Nutrient deficiency – Lawn rust prevents proper nutrient absorption through the grass blades. Over time, this can lead to general thinning and discoloration of the lawn. Pet urine can compound the issue by ‘burning’ stressed grass. Prompt fertilization and rust treatment will strengthen the turf.

So in summary, healthy dogs will not be harmed by walking through areas affected by lawn rust. But monitor the lawn’s condition and take steps to get the fungus under control before extensive damage occurs. Practice good lawn care habits to encourage thick, vigorous grass that can resist diseases.

How to treat lawn rust

If you detect early signs of lawn rust, take quick action to get ahead of the infection:

– Improve air flow – The fungus thrives in compacted, continually moist soil. Aerating the lawn regularly helps dry things out. Prune back overhanging branches to encourage better sunlight penetration.

– Water early – Only water in the early morning so the grass blades have time to dry out during the day. Avoid frequent light watering.

– Fertilize – Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate growth. This helps the grass better recover from fungal damage.

– Apply fungicide – Products containing azoxystrobin, myclobutanil, propiconazole or triadimefon can combat lawn rust. Treat at the first sign of disease and repeat according to label instructions.

– Re-seed – If rust has killed grass in patches, re-seed those areas to fill in with healthy new grass. First rake out dead debris.

With prompt treatment, lawn rust usually can be controlled within a few weeks. But avoid the use of any pesticide, herbicide or fungicide product without reading the label carefully and taking proper precautions around pets.

How dogs can get infected

Dogs most often pick up lawn rust spores on their paws, coat and nose when walking through infected grass. Less commonly, a dog may ingest a large number of spores by eating/licking grass or chewing on sticks and debris from the lawn.

The spores do not infect live grass immediately. They require a period of dormancy before germinating and spreading disease under ideal conditions. So just contacting grass blades does not directly transmit infection to a dog.

However, inhaling or consuming sizable amounts of spores could potentially irritate a dog’s respiratory or digestive tract. Any impacts are generally short-lived until the spores are expelled. The irritation is unlikely to progress to anything severe or require medical care.

Dogs with allergies or other immunosuppressive conditions may react worse to close contact with fungal spores. Still, lawn rust spores are large enough not to trigger severe respiratory issues. Keeping dogs away from recently treated areas is prudent.

So while lawn rust itself is not contagious or transmittable to pets, dogs can temporarily carry spores until they are groomed or shed out naturally. There is minimal health risk, but cleaning paws and fur helps prevent spore spread back into the lawn or indoors.

Symptoms of infection in dogs

Most dogs experience zero side effects from exposure to lawn rust. At worst, possible symptoms from ingesting/inhaling high concentrations of spores could include:

– Excessive licking, scratching, biting at paws, body
– Sneezing, nasal discharge or coughing
– Loss of appetite
– Vomiting or diarrhea
– Fatigue/lethargy

These symptoms would be temporary until the spores work their way out of the dog’s system. Often, extra shaking, rolling or brushing is enough to dislodge most spores from a dog’s coat.

If spore irritation was severe enough to cause vomiting or diarrhea, take away access to infected grass areas and call your veterinarian. They can provide supportive care for gastrointestinal issues.

Signs of respiratory distress, wheezing or distress require immediate veterinary care. But lung infections from lawn rust spores are extremely rare in dogs.

The vast majority of dogs coexist with lawn rust without ever displaying symptoms. But monitoring dogs when outside is always wise to ensure they do not ingest debris or soil from affected patches.

Are certain dogs at higher risk?

Most healthy dogs can be around lawn rust without concern. But dogs with the following conditions may react worse to heavy spore exposure:

– Young puppies – Still developing immune systems

– Senior dogs – Weakened immune function

– Allergies – Especially inhaled allergies; spores may exacerbate

– Asthma/other respiratory conditions – Spores could block airways

– Inflammatory bowel disease – GI tract may be irritated

– Immunosuppression – Cancer, autoimmune disease, etc.

– Malnutrition – Spores harder to expel

For at-risk dogs, keep them away from areas with severe rust infections. Quickly clean off paws and coats after going outside. Monitor closely for any symptoms suggesting spore irritation.

Diagnosing lawn rust in dogs

Dogs cannot be formally tested or diagnosed for lawn rust infection. Since the spores do not actually multiply or colonize on/in dogs, there is nothing to detect.

If a dog displays symptoms like vomiting or coughing after exposure to spore-covered grass, a veterinarian can presume lawn rust spore irritation is the cause. Diagnosis is based on:

– Case history – Documentation of access to rust-infected grass

– Timeline – Symptoms emerged within hours/days of exposure

– Physical exam – Presence of spores on coat, lack of other clinical causes

– Lab tests – May analyze vomit or feces for spore concentration

– Response to treatment – Symptoms resolve once dog removed from exposure

Sedation may be needed for certain exams if the dog is anxious or in respiratory distress. Expect a good prognosis once spore contact is eliminated.

Treating dogs with lawn rust exposure

Most dogs require no specific treatment after walking through lawn rust spores. Simply bathing them at home to remove spores may be adequate. If spore irritation causes symptoms:

– Discontinue outdoor access – No more contact with affected lawn areas

– Baths – Use a pet shampoo to wash off all visible spores

– Brushing – Helps loosen and remove embedded spores

– Eyedrops – For spore irritation in eyes

– Antihistamines – If excessive licking, chewing, sneezing

– Antinausea medication – If vomiting

– IV fluids – For dehydration from profuse vomiting/diarrhea

– Bronchodilators – If severe coughing/respiratory signs

– Antifungals – Generally ineffective against lawn rust in dogs

Symptomatic treatment aims to soothe irritation and restore normal fluid/electrolyte levels until the spores pass through. Prognosis is excellent with prompt care.

Preventing lawn rust in dogs

The best approach is to stop lawn rust from ever taking hold in your yard by using proper grass care techniques:

– Mow high – Keep grass 3-4 inches tall for deeper roots

– Aerate soil – Prevents compaction so water drains

– Apply fertilizer – Keeps grass healthy and resilient

– Use rust-resistant seed – Some cultivars tolerate rust better

– Water infrequently/early – Avoid excessive moisture

– Prune trees – Allows more sunlight to dry grass blade

– Treat early signs – At first patch, use organic fungicide

You can also limit your dog’s exposure to reduce spore contact:

– Check lawn daily – Look for new patches to treat quickly

– Block off affected areas – Use temporary fencing to keep dogs away

– Wipe paws – Clean feet after outdoor play/walks

– Bathe regularly – Shampooing removes spores on coat

– Avoid grass chewing – Redirect to toys to discourage eating blades

With vigilance, you can allow dogs to continue enjoying your lawn safely during a lawn rust outbreak. Follow treatment guidelines to get the fungus under control.

When to see a vet

Make an appointment with your veterinarian if your dog shows these signs after exposure to lawn rust spores:

– Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
– Coughing that won’t resolve after 48 hours
– Visible distress or difficulty breathing
– Little/no appetite beyond 24 hours
– Extreme lethargy or fatigue
– Eye discharge, squinting, pawing at eyes
– Skin irritation – redness, itching, hot spots

Emergency vet care is warranted if your dog has:

– Prolonged trouble breathing
– Blue-tinged gums/tongue
– Loss of consciousness/seizures
– Signs of anaphylaxis like facial swelling
– Nonstop vomiting/diarrhea
– Bleeding from nostrils, mouth, other orifices

Most dogs fully recover with just rest and home care. But call your vet with any concerns about symptoms to determine next steps. Prompt treatment provides the best prognosis.

Conclusion

Lawn rust fungus is rarely cause for alarm in dogs. Healthy canines can walk through infected grass without issue. At most, spores may cling to their coat/paws until groomed off. Some dogs ingesting heavy amounts of spores could experience minor stomach or respiratory irritation. Monitor your pet after outdoor play and clean them as needed. Implement lawn care practices to treat rust promptly and keep grass as healthy as possible. With reasonable precautions, dogs and lawn rust can successfully coexist.