What to Do About Pet Urine Spots in Your Lawn
For many people, there’s nothing better than the joy of living life with their favorite canine. But as it turns out, man’s best friend isn’t always your lawn’s best friend.
From digging holes to creating brown spots from urine, dogs can really do a number on your yard. Today, let’s take a closer look at one of the biggest complaints from dog owners: pet urine spots.
Why Does It Happen?
While some people think the yellow or brown spots on their lawn are caused by too much acid in their dog’s urine, that’s not the case. There are high amounts of nitrogen and salts in dog urine, which—in high concentration—can kill off your grass.
Some products on the market claim to change the chemical make-up of your dog’s urine to limit spots on your lawn. But it’s unclear how effective these products are, and some veterinarians caution that these products may not be safe for your dog’s health.
Lawn Treatment for Dog Urine Spots
The best way to deal with urine spots in your lawn is by treating the lawn itself, not the dog. Here are a few ways to keep Great Green Grass throughout your property:
- Plant the right kind of grass: Some varieties of grass can withstand dog urine better than others. The hardiest types are fescue and perennial ryegrass. Not sure what kind of grass you have now or if you should re-seed? Talk to our Nashville lawn care service team for an expert opinion.
- Dilute, dilute, dilute: The brown spots happen because of the high concentration of nitrogen and salts in one area. You can offset that by diluting the urine in these spots. Here are a few ways to do that:
- Encourage your dog to drink more water
- Pour a bucket of water over the spot right after your dog is done with their business
- Set up a sprinkler to consistently water the areas of the yard your dog uses
- Create a grass-free dog area: Try making an area of your yard that is landscaped with wood mulch instead of grass. If you can train your dog to use this area rather than the grassy part of your lawn, you may be able to avoid urine spots entirely.
Nashville Lawn Care Service: Treating Urine Spots
Now you’re armed with some great ways to prevent new spots going forward. But in order to fix your existing spots, you’ll need to spend some time and energy to treat, re-seed, and fertilize those areas.
Not sure where to start? Contact us today for a free quote!