Is GrassSaver Safe for Dogs?

Home owners who are also dog owners may have difficulty keeping their lawn green. Areas of the yard can appear yellow where the dog urinates. To prevent this problem, some dog owners feed their dogs GrassSaver. GrassSaver changes dog urine so that it is less damaging to the landscape. GrassSaver is generally considered safe, but not all dogs are candidates for use of this dietary supplement.

  1. Nitrogen

    • Dog urine contains a large amount of nitrogen. Nitrogen acts like a fertilizer in small amounts or when released slowly over time. When dogs urinate, a blast of nitrogen-rich urine over-fertilizes the covered area and often results in yellow "burned" patches in the yard where grass or other plants have been damaged or killed.

    GrassSaver Use

    • GrassSaver is an over-the-counter dietary supplement for dogs. It comes in tablet form and the recommended dosage is based on the dog's weight. When administered properly, the active ingredient, the amino acid dL Methionine, alters the dog's metabolism to lower the pH of its urine. When the urine is more acidic, there is less nitrogen to discolor the grass where the dog urinates.

    Side Effects

    • The online pet pharmacy, 1-800-PETMEDS, claims that there are no reported side effects for GrassSaver. However, side effects of methionine (GrassSaver's active ingredient) may include loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting, according to Doctors Foster and Smith Pharmacy. Methionine can cause interactions with some drugs and supplements, so dog owners should consult with their pet's veterinarian prior to administering GrassSaver.

    Dogs at Risk

    • Dogs fed a diet designed to acidify urine, currently taking other acidifying supplements or medications or with metabolic acidosis, liver or pancreatic disease or kidney failure should not take GrassSaver. According to Dr. Steve Thompson, DVM, Purdue University, acidifying dietary supplements such as GrassSaver can put dogs at risk for developing bladder stones.

    Considerations

    • Dr. Thompson states that dog owners can reduce their dog's nitrogen output by feeding dogs higher-quality proteins that are more digestible or reducing protein intake so that less nitrogen excretes onto the lawn. Diluting the dog's urine can also lessen the yellowing effect on the lawn. Dilute urine by switching from dry food to canned food, moistening food with water or increasing water intake by adding salt to food.