11/12/2023
Do you have a dog and does your lawn have dead patches?
We see this problem so many times! We get so many questions from people looking for ways to fix the issue and I have seen so many mis guided truths. Hopefully this post will help clarify some of those questions and get you to a healthy, lush lawn.
Love our pets, hate what they can do... Most of us know the problems, some have been mis lead to the actual cause, and a lot think there is no remedy, apart from getting rid of the beloved pet or training it to go elsewhere. I'll be the first to admit I have not tried this method first hand - I don’t have a dog. As Lawns are a large part of what we do, I have done a heap or research on why, how, and who - not all dogs are equal, but they can all damage your beautiful lawn. I have studied the dogs that do cause damage and the ones that don't. There is no difference in s*x of dog, size of the dog or breed in regard to the damage they do to lawns.
Why does the urine kill the grass?
Some believe it is because of acid or extreme pH swings. This is not true. If there are any pH swings, it's not detrimental to the lawn. What is actually happening is the dog’s urine has a heavy load of urea - nitrogen. This overload of nitrogen kills the grass. It doesn't burn it as such, like we all say, it staves it of any moisture and any ability to take on moisture. Given grass is mostly moisture it doesn't take long to die off.
How to identify?
Typically, you will see a dark green ring around the outside of the dead patch. This is where the nitrogen has diluted. That said, it's not always the case. Grass that has been killed by urine still has a strong root structure, unlike a fungus or a grub issue. If you do a tug test on the grass it will be resistant in pulling out. If it's a fungal or grub issue the grass root system is weak and will break with ease.
What can you do? Apart from training your dog to go elsewhere or keeping it off the lawn.
Dilute the urine – Not a sustainable fix, however if you can water the urine patch before it dries out then you will dilute the nitrogen level. There is a possibility that this could cause dark green patches with excessive growth, when comparing to the rest of the lawn.
Hydration - Have lots of water stations around the place and do what you can to encourage drinking. A good method is a bone broth that is salt free. Maybe add water to the dog food and feed hydration rich fruits like watermelon etc.
Diet- Dried food and dog rolls are high in processed proteins. Urea is a byproduct of breaking down the proteins. The harder it is to break down the higher the concentration of urea. Avoid those foods if you can. Use fresh meat that is fully hydrated - as in wet. I know it's expensive, but if you think outside the box a little you can come up with ways to bring the cost down. Feed more plant-based foods, these break down really easily, meaning less urea. Your dog needs a protein diet, but it doesn't have to come all from meat. There are plenty of plant-based foods that are high in protein. Fresh meat combined with a protein plant food will be really beneficial and your dog will break down those proteins much easier.
Less fertilizer on your lawn - If your lawn is well fed, having an additional overload of nitrogen is too much of a good thing. You could try fertilise a smaller amount but more often.
We at Rapid Lawn do not advocate the use of vinegar in the water or the use of supplements. If you chose to use these then advice from your vet is recommended.
Dog Rocks – Im not sure I have heard anyone say they work, perhaps its up for debate. The idea is it’s a volcanic rock which you add to the drinking bowl. Manufacture's claim it purifies the water and reduces the nitrogen level.
I hope this post gets the reach it deserves. This question is raised so many times and if we can educate those who believe you cant have a nice lawn if you have a dog, then we are all winning.
Rapid Lawn creates premium quality lawns and landscaping for residential or commercial applications in the Bay of Plenty. Whether you have a design in mind or just want your lawn to shine, we are here to make those dreams a reality!
