Dog Urine Spots and Growing Green Lawn Grass

The larger the dog, the bigger the problem homeowners have with turf damage. When that ten pound puppy grows to be a monstrosity weighing more than 65 pounds it’s likely the condition of the lawn will suffer damage wherever the dog relieves itself. Grass that was once lush and green wilts and yellows, often leaving bare spots in the lawn. Homeowners have several options that are both simple and inexpensive to solve this problem.

Plant a Hardy Grass – Fescue or Bermuda

If damage is extensive, it may be necessary to replant the affected areas. A. Wayne Allard, D.V.M. studied the effects of dog urine on different varieties of grass and published his results in the March-April 1981 issue of Canine Practice. He tested four grasses:

• Kentucky bluegrass
• fine bladed rye
• fescue
• fairway crested wheat.

He found the fescue to be the most resistant to burn from urine. The type of fescue tested, Kentucky #31, is considered a thick-bladed field grass and not often recommended for lawns. Fescue has newer, improved varieties for a more desirable appearance. Fescue won’t fare well in hot climates so a Bermuda grass is recommended for pet owners in the Sun Belt. Bermuda grass isn’t as hardy as fescue, but it has the ability to grow back quickly if it sustains damage.

Exercise the Dog on Leash

While the new grass is taking hold, consider walking the dog on a leash so that it won’t cause damage to the tender new growth. Dogs have a tendency to use the same place time and time again. This instinctual marking behavior is difficult to manage without the use of a lead. Taking the dog on different routes each time will vary the places it chooses to urinate.

Once the grass has been repaired and the new growth is well established maintaining the lawn is of utmost importance. Understanding what causes the damage in the first place is important in finding an effective solution to avoid repeating the process again.

Dog Urine as a Fertilizer

There is a long-held belief that urine is acidic and therefore burns foliage with which it comes into contact. This is not factual, instead the harm is caused by a high concentration of nitrogen excreted in the urine as a byproduct of protein digestion. Nitrogen in small amounts is beneficial to plant growth, but the amount concentrated in a dog’s urine could be considered too much of a good thing. The result is the same when lawn fertilizer is spread unevenly and it burns the lawn. With this in mind, diluting the concentration of nitrogen with water lessens the negative effect it has on the grass and may instead be beneficial. Dr. Allard discovered through his research that Fescue grass treated with 150cc of urine actually had a fertilizer effect when water was applied to the area within an eight hour time frame.

Keeping the pet well hydrated will also reduce damage to the lawn. Knowing that the concentration of nitrogen in the urine is what causes the harm, by providing plenty of fresh water for the dog to drink dilutes this concentration. Even though the pet urinates more often its urine won’t be as damaging to the lawn.

Maintain a Healthy Landscape

Maintain that lush green carpet of grass by taking the dog on several short walks daily to vary the locations it chooses to relieve itself, plant grass tolerant of high nitrogen levels, provide the pet ample drinking water, and frequently water down areas where the dog chooses to urinate.