The Effects of Dog Pee on Grass

Dogs can make excellent companions, but they can wreak havoc on your yard. If you a lush grassy lawn, prepare yourself for the possibility of barren spots, as a result of dog urine. However, if you understand why dog urine has the effect that it does, you can work to minimize the problem.

  1. Specific Effects

    • Dog urine can kill grass and cause brown or yellow patches to emerge on a lawn. The urine burns into the soil and leaves traces of dead grass in its wake. In mild cases, the grass itself may harden and turn brown without physically disintegrating. Effects usually take place after repeated instances of urination in the same spot, although browning can potentially occur after a single instance.

    Causes

    • Dog urine contains nitrogen compounds. The amount of nitrogen in the urine varies based on the sex, breed and size of the dog; therefore, some dogs have greater potential to do damage than others. Diet also plays a major role. If your dog's diet contains excess protein, it will have a higher concentration of nitrogen in its urine. The nitrogen kills grass and discolors soil.

    Reducing Nitrogen

    • You can reduce the amount of nitrogen in your dog's urine in one of two ways. First, switch to a lower protein dog food. Lower protein amounts lower nitrogen, so your dog's urine will prove less toxic on your grass. Second, you can dilute your dog's food with water. The excess liquid will dilute the nitrogen and make it less potent, thus saving your grass from potential ruin.

    Saving Your Grass

    • Water your grass constantly to prevent nitrogenous urine from eating through your grass. If you notice your dog peeing on the lawn, water the spot immediately to dilute the urine. You can apply new grass seed to yellow patches to promote the growth of new grass, and consider training your dog to use a specific corner or area or your yard (unless the problem results from neighboring dogs invading your lawn).