Weedkiller that won't harm neighbourhood cats - does it exist?

Inspired by a post on the house buying / selling forum!

I have a gravel path with membrane thats got tons of weeds sprouting through. Can't afford to replace the membrane and they're growing faster than I can dig them out, so I want to try weedkiller but there are a couple of cats in the close vicinity. As a cat owner myself I've been reluctant to use weedkiller because of this but I can't keep on top of it and it's looking a right mess. 

Does anyone have any recommendations of a weedkiller that's safe around animals? Or any suggestions for other methods of getting rid of the weeds?
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Comments

  • kippers
    kippers Posts: 2,062 Forumite
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    There is some good information here on weedkillers …. https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/pet-friendly-weedkillers/ 
  • SaintJudy
    SaintJudy Posts: 180 Forumite
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    kippers said:
    There is some good information here on weedkillers …. https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/pet-friendly-weedkillers/ 
    Brilliant, thank you!
  • Joyful
    Joyful Posts: 2,429 Forumite
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    I use vinegar, salt and washing up liquid to kill weeds in my garden. They die back in a couple of days.
    Self Employed, Running my Dream Jobs
  • twopenny
    twopenny Posts: 7,280 Forumite
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    I've used Weedol with dogs around.
    Apply just before rain is forcast when it has enough time to dry. I used to do it in the evening.
    Too be extra sure on a wide area I'd cover with netting just until dried. 

    I can rise and shine - just not at the same time!

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  • Apodemus
    Apodemus Posts: 3,410 Forumite
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    Joyful said:
    I use vinegar, salt and washing up liquid to kill weeds in my garden. They die back in a couple of days.
    This approach is effective in killing the leaves and green parts of the plant, but they will quickly regrow, so you need to be committed to keeping on top of the spraying in the hope of weakening (and eventually killling) the plants.

    twopenny said:
    I've used Weedol with dogs around.
    Apply just before rain is forcast when it has enough time to dry. I used to do it in the evening.
    Too be extra sure on a wide area I'd cover with netting just until dried. 
    Weedol or traditional Roundup both claim to be safe for pets as long as the application is done as recommended and has time to dry.  There is a lot of fear and hype about these products which is probably overblown.  There is research (from the US) that suggests that the average pooch or moggy gets more exposure to glyphosate from pet food than they do from their environment...
  • Woolsery
    Woolsery Posts: 1,535 Forumite
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    Apodemus said:
    There is a lot of fear and hype about these products which is probably overblown.  There is research (from the US) that suggests that the average pooch or moggy gets more exposure to glyphosate from pet food than they do from their environment...
    Not to mention ourselves. Unless one buys certified organic, there's no knowing when the product was used on  crop fields or orchards etc.

  • 531063
    531063 Posts: 280 Forumite
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    Rock salt                                                                                        .
  • Apodemus
    Apodemus Posts: 3,410 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Woolsery said:
    Apodemus said:
    There is a lot of fear and hype about these products which is probably overblown.  There is research (from the US) that suggests that the average pooch or moggy gets more exposure to glyphosate from pet food than they do from their environment...
    Not to mention ourselves. Unless one buys certified organic, there's no knowing when the product was used on  crop fields or orchards etc.

    Interestingly, the Cornell study found that levels in dog urine were 32 times that of humans.  Cats showed 15x the human level.  Of course, being a US study there is a possibility that levels in all three species were affected by the presence of GM, Roundup-ready crops in the food chain.
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 26,037 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I was going to suggest an electric weed burner, such as this one from Aldi.

    https://www.aldi.co.uk/ferrex-electric-weed-burner/p/817421620804200


    It’s worth reading the reviews, as they are really quite amusing. Having read them, I can’t recommend the product. 
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
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