How To Repair Lawn Damaged By Dog Urine

      Your dog’s urine is killing your lawn because of the nitrogen content in their pee. Applying excess amounts of nitrogen to your grass will cause the salt levels in your lawn to increase and eventually kill your lawn. It causes the burning of plant tissue. Oddly enough, the main ingredient in lawn fertilizer is nitrogen. In the correct amounts it is incredibly beneficial for grass growth. 

      In an article written by petmd, Theresa Smith, director of marketing for Natural Alternative is quoted, “The high concentration of nitrogen, from urea in urine, and associated salts found in dog urine essentially ‘burns’ the grass it directly hits.”

“However, the areas surrounding that spot will be lush and green, thanks to the added nutrients not being so concentrated.”

      That being said, over fertilizing is one of the quickest ways to kill your grass, and your dog’s urine is evidence of this. 

      All dog urine is damaging for grass. Some argue the size of your dog will determine the damage that is caused. However, it has more to do with the frequency of which your dog is urinating in the same spot.

Preventative Dog Urine Lawn Repair

      There are many enzyme supplements advertised as balancing the nitrogen in your pets urine, but not all of them are safe to feed your dog. Avoid supplements containing DL Methionine with dogs that have pre-existing liver conditions. It is an amino acid that is used to acidify the urine, which will leave your lawn greener, but has the potential to be harmful for your dog. Petmd suggests an alternative for dogs with a liver or kidney disease is Dog Rocks. These are 100% natural and safe for all household pets. It lowers the amount of nitrates in your dog’s diet, and in turn, lowers the amount of nitrates expelled through his/her urine. As advertised, “When placed in water, Dog Rocks help purify the water by removing the nitrates, ammonia and harmful trace elements like tin and copper giving your dog a cleaner source of water.” 

      For dogs without a pre-existing condition, an alternative is a supplement called GrassGreen. It is certified by the NASC (National Animal Supplement Council). It reduces nitrogen levels in the urine to address the issue of a lawn damaged by your dog. In addition, this blend can help support healthy digestion in a pet that struggles with vomiting, constipation, stomach aches and diarrhea.

Feeding Instructions:

• 25 lbs or less: Feed 1 snack per day

• 26 – 75 lbs: Feed 2 snacks per day

• 75 lbs or more: Feed 3 snacks per day

      To be safe, consult your veterinarian to ensure this supplement is safe for your dog if you have any questions or concerns.

      A very simple way to help combat the issue of your dog’s urine on the lawn is to spray down the area where they pee. The water will help dilute the urine and therefore reduce the issue of yellow spots in our lawn. However, following your dog around with a hose is not necessarily the most efficient way to deal with this issue. A more tedious solution, that will pay off in the long run, is training your dog to pee in a certain area. Theresa Smith says, “We recommend creating an area out of gravel or mulch in your backyard for your dog to urinate on, and train them to pee there.”

Dog Potty Area

       Pea Gravel: the most popular material for dog potty areas is pea gravel. It drains well and doesn’t wash away in the wind. This gravel also looks nice in any landscape design.

      Mulch: is affordable and exists already in most lawns. However, not all wood is safe for dogs to ingest and furthermore mulch means odours will linger.

      Artificial Turf: is a good solution to a dog potty area because it won’t erode or wash away. Odours will not collect, and it’s easy to wash off after.

Repairing A  Lawn Damaged By Dog Urine  

  1. Understanding the Damage

   Dog urine damages your lawn primarily due to its high nitrogen content and salts. Excess nitrogen “burns” the grass, causing brown and yellow spots. While nitrogen is essential for grass growth in small amounts (it’s a key ingredient in fertilizer), the concentration in dog urine is too high, especially when a dog urinates repeatedly in the same spot.

  2. How to Neutralize Dog Urine in the Lawn

   One effective solution for neutralizing dog urine is using soil conditioners like NaturVet GrassSaver Gypsum Soil Conditioner. This product increases soil porosity, allowing salts to drain away. Apply a few tablespoons of gypsum to the affected area, water it gently, and keep your dog off the spot. After a few days, rake the area, reseed with high-quality grass seed, and continue watering.

   Garden lime is another option to treat dog pee grass repair. Lime reduces soil acidity caused by dog urine, balancing the pH to optimal levels for grass growth (5.5 to 6.5 for cool-season grasses). However, the best way to determine your soil’s needs is through a professional soil test, which will identify the exact pH and nutrient levels. The soil test we perform at Yard Dawgs will be able to tell you what your lawns pH is, nitrogen, phosphors, potassium, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, and iron. Additionally, if the results return and you discover your soil is fairly alkaline, you can combat that by using Elemental Sulfur.

  3. Reseeding Damaged Areas

   If the grass has died, overseeding is essential for recovery:

• Rake the damaged area to loosen the soil.
• Apply a thin layer of soil or compost.
• Evenly distribute grass seed.
• Water daily until the seeds germinate.
• Keep your dog away from newly sprouting grass until it’s established.

  4. Ongoing Maintenance

   Flush areas where your dog urinates with water regularly to dilute the urine and prevent future damage. Consistent lawn care, including watering and fertilizing, strengthens your lawn against stress and helps it recover from minor damage.

5 Practical Tips to Prevent Dog Pee Killing Grass

  1. Hydrate Your Dog

   Ensure your dog drinks plenty of water to dilute the concentration of nitrogen in their urine naturally.

  2. Train Your Dog

   Designate a specific potty area in your yard, such as one covered with pea gravel, mulch, or artificial turf, and train your dog to use it.

  3. Adjust Your Dog’s Diet

   Consult a veterinarian about dietary supplements that reduce nitrogen levels in urine, such as GrassGreen or Dog Rocks. These products are designed to balance the components in your dog’s urine to make it less harmful to grass.

  4. Flush the Pee Spots

   Use a garden hose to water down areas where your dog urinates immediately. This dilutes the urine, minimizing damage.

  5. Healthy Lawn Practices

   Keep your lawn well-maintained by aerating, fertilizing, and watering regularly. A healthy, robust lawn is more resistant to damage caused by dog urine.

Fixing Yellow And Brown Spots Summary

• Soil test to find out what your lawn lacks

• Spray areas your dog pees with water and ensure your dog drinks lots of water

• Replant yellow and brown patchy areas with new grass seed

• Consult a veterinarian abut feeding your dog a dietary supplement

• Train your dog to pee in one area