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Can eating weed and feed cause brain tumors or seizures in dogs?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 9 years and 3 months old | 56 lbs

I recently sent a message about my dog Rain who walked through and ate grass treated with weed and feed. She was on the lawn 2 days later but the product wasn't watered in. She didn't vomit or lose apitite. 4 mo. later she had seizures treated with phenobarbital but persistent for 3 mo. MRI confirm a oligodendroglioma. It was removed but tumor came back. She died just after she turned 9. carelessness of my not following instructions led to her sickness. What do you think?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

Veterinarian

Published on July 7th, 2020

I am sorry for not being more precise in my initial answer. Herbicides and fertilizers usually cause signs of gastroenteritis ( vomiting, diarrhea, nausea) when ingested. They are considered not very toxic to dogs (with some exceptions to fertilizers containing high level of iron) and they definitely have not been associated with brain tumor development. What is more, the concerns about safety of these products are only related to chronic exposure. I really do not think that being in contact (or even ingesting) some of the product that was not watered in could cause brain tumor.
I hope this will help, but please post another question if you would like to hear an opinion of one my colleagues on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach that can pick up your question.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Tomasz Wnuk
Veterinarian
Published on July 7th, 2020
Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry to hear about your Rain, please accept my condolence.
There is no scientific evidence that herbicides or fertilizers can cause seizures or brain tumors in dogs. There is still ongoing discussion if chronic exposure to herbicides can cause some tumors in human, but this is about being in contact with herbicides daily for several years. I do not think that a single exposure could have caused such a severe changes to your dog's brain. Most likely, Rain developed a brain tumor that was not caused by exposure to the herbicide / fertilizer.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 7th, 2020
Hello. Please do not worry about this. While record lawsuits have been in the news lately concerning the herbicide Roundup, not all herbicides are the same. To be significantly affected by a chemical usually requires consistent or chronic exposure. So a quick dash through the grass was not a significant exposure. And, if you wiped down Rain's paws or bathed her, you are even more assured that she will be fine. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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