Dogs vs. Lawns

If you are a gardener with a four-legged gardening buddy, you are not alone. Gardening with dogs means you may have a steady companion who doesn't point out your weeds or shrubs that should be trimmed, but trots around your yard with you, enjoying the outdoor experience with their favorite human. Gardeners who enjoy an emerald-green lawn as a backdrop to their blooming beauties may find frustration with one of the downsides of dog ownership: dog urine.

The relationship with our best buddies is challenged when our lawns show uneven growth or are dotted with yellow or brown patches, indicating the spot our dog has chosen for potty time.

Before we begin exploring why uneven growth or the brown spots appear in the lawns of dog owners, and how to combat the impact on our lawns, let's clarify a few myths about the spots. Colorado State University Extension's fact sheet dispels "urban legends" regarding urine damage. Some legends are related to dog gender or dog breed, such as the belief that the urine of female dogs or certain breeds produces urine with higher nitrogen levels, creating the spots. Without delving too far into the urination habits of dogs, it is true that female dogs tend to squat and thus create a targeted stream. Male dogs, on the other hand, have an innate desire to mark their space and may choose vertical landscape features in the yard, creating a different problem to solve. Your dog’s breed may play some role, as, logically, larger dogs produce more urine. Smaller breeds tend to stay closer to the house or be on a lead during potty time, which means they may elect to urinate in a more restricted space in your lawn, resulting in concentrated areas of brown spots, versus a large dog, which may have access to a broader range throughout your yard.

A misunderstanding of pH levels has also led to myths regarding the brown spots in the yards of dog owners. Dog urine is alkaline, typically with a pH above 7.0. The brown spots occur because of the nitrogen levels in urea, not because of the pH levels of your lawn. Simply put, urea is a major component of dog urine. Urea is rich in nitrogen. A carnivorous dog will typically consume a diet high in protein, which produces higher levels of urea. It is the nitrogen levels in our dog's urine that determine whether we have spots in our lawn, not the lawn's pH. The concentrated nitrogen in dog urine acts like a fertilizer burn when it's deposited in a single spot.

Related to the pH levels of your lawn and the relationship to brown spots, some entrepreneurs have promoted the use of food supplements to alter the pH levels of dog urine, such as "dog rocks" or other pH-altering interventions. Others promote the use of tomato juice or cider vinegar to alter the pH of your dog's urine. As it isn't the pH of the urine, but the level of nitrogen that harms your lawn, do not alter your dog’s diet in an attempt to solve your issue with the brown patches. If you are tempted to purchase a product to alter the nitrogen levels of your dog's urine, consult with your veterinarian before using it with your pet. You may also want to discuss the food you provide your dog with your veterinarian and explore options that might benefit both your dog and your lawn.

So what can you do to repair the lawn damage from areas that received excessive nitrogen?

First, determine whether you are striving for a lawn that is free of brown spots and uneven growth and coloration caused by excess nitrogen from dog urine, or if you want to focus on repairing dead patches. If you have uneven growth or color patterns, increase the amount of nitrogen fertilization throughout your lawn, being careful not to overapply and apply broadly. It may seem counterintuitive to apply nitrogen to repair lawn damage caused by nitrogen-rich dog urine, but a concentrated application of nitrogen fertilizer in a single spot will have the same effect as dog urine: brown spots from over application, or fertilizer burn. By following the directions on the nitrogen fertilizer bag and being careful not to spill in a concentrated area, you won’t be creating further harm to your lawn. A soil test, available from your county offices of Penn State Extension, or you can print off a submission form with full directions from the Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Lab, will return results to help you determine the amount of nitrogen recommended for your lawn. Watering your lawn during dry spells will lessen the impact of the targeted nitrogen from your dog's urine.

If you want to focus on the brown dead spots in your lawn, rake out the patch of dead grass and agitate the soil. Re-seed the area, preferably with the same variety of grass seed as your existing lawn. Water lightly until germination. Slowly reduce the frequency of watering over the next few weeks until the grass seed has rooted and is firmly established. If you are uncertain as to the type of grass you have (Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, etc.), perennial ryegrass is a good option. If your lawn is seeded with Kentucky bluegrass, the variation will be minimal. It is not uncommon for lawns to be seeded with a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass, so the impact on lawn uniformity of using only perennial ryegrass should not be noticeable. It is recommended to avoid a variety of perennial ryegrass called "Lynn."  It is inexpensive and readily available, making it an attractive option, but this variety of perennial ryegrass tends to fade from your lawn. If your brown patches are in heavy shade, fine fescue can be used.

While working with your lawn may take effort, you should also dedicate time to working with your dog. If your dog is up for learning new tricks, work with your pet to use either an area of your lawn where the brown spots will be less noticeable or a location that is mulched or a gravel site. For male dogs, place a vertical element in the mulched or gravel area to create an opportunity for marking their territory. Ensuring that your pet remains well hydrated helps dilute the nitrogen in the urine, which is good for both your pet and your lawn.

Research has shown that watering the spot after your pet has urinated is the only proven method for neutralizing the area and reducing the harmful effects on your lawn. If your dog only goes outside with you on a lead, take a container of water with you. After your pet has voided, immediately dilute the area with water. This routine will lessen the likelihood of brown patches, but the areas of your lawn enriched with the increased nitrogen stream will still show signs of increased growth and vigor.

For many reasons, beyond the concern for the health of your lawn, dog excrement should be picked up, bagged, and disposed of immediately. Dog waste should never be tossed into compost piles or used to amend soil.

While a few brown spots in your garden may be the price you pay for the loving companionship of a dog, if the spots begin to distract from your lawn and home, you may be ready to take the steps described above to lessen the impact on your property. While our gardens bring us joy and delight, they don't look to us with the same admiration, loyalty, and love as a family pet. Both gardening and dog ownership reduce stress levels and improve our overall well-being. As dogs and gardening don't co-exist without a few challenges, it is up to us to find harmony and balance while enjoying our gardens and our pets.