{"id":5971,"date":"2021-10-15T15:06:34","date_gmt":"2021-10-15T15:06:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=5971"},"modified":"2026-10-12T18:59:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T18:59:38","slug":"how-to-prevent-dog-pee-damage-on-grass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-dog-pee-damage-on-grass\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Dog Pee Damage on Your Grass"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-medium-font-size\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u2022 <strong>Water is the fix:<\/strong> Soaking the spot right after your dog pees dilutes the nitrogen and salts that burn grass.<br>\u2022 <strong>Location beats products:<\/strong> Training your dog to use a mulch or gravel potty area is the surest way to stop urine spots.<br>\u2022 <strong>Skip the quick fixes:<\/strong> Baking soda, vinegar, and urine-altering supplements won&#8217;t prevent spots and can harm your soil or your dog.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To prevent dog pee damage on your grass, water the spot right after your dog goes, train your pup to use one potty area, mow higher, and plant tougher grass. Dog urine leaves concentrated nitrogen that burns grass and causes brown spots.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You take your dog outside every day so she doesn&#8217;t pee on your couch, your carpet, or your bed. Keeping her out of the yard isn&#8217;t an option, so we&#8217;ll go over seven methods that help your lawn survive urine burn, plus the myths to skip.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A well-fed lawn also hides urine spots better, and LawnLove&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnlove.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=fertilization\">lawn treatment service<\/a> can keep your grass fertilized on schedule.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-7edf60f3-0b1c-459f-9aa6-205f837f4f7a\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-dog-pee-damage-on-grass\/#0-how-dog-urine-hurts-grass\" style=\"\">How dog urine hurts grass<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-dog-pee-damage-on-grass\/#1-7-ways-to-prevent-dog-urine-spots\" style=\"\">7 ways to prevent dog urine spots<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-dog-pee-damage-on-grass\/#9-dog-pee-myths-that-dont-work\" style=\"\">Dog pee myths that don&#8217;t work<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-dog-pee-damage-on-grass\/#10-how-to-repair-lawn-damage-from-dog-pee\" style=\"\">How to repair lawn damage from dog pee<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-dog-pee-damage-on-grass\/#11-faqs\" style=\"\">FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 id=\"0-how-dog-urine-hurts-grass\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"how-dog-urine-hurts-grass\">How dog urine hurts grass<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_dog-urine-damage-to-grass.jpg\" alt=\"illustration explaining what dog urine does to grass\" class=\"wp-image-5781\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_dog-urine-damage-to-grass.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_dog-urine-damage-to-grass-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_dog-urine-damage-to-grass-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_dog-urine-damage-to-grass-610x305.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_dog-urine-damage-to-grass-390x195.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dog urine hurts grass because it leaves a concentrated dose of nitrogen and salts in one small spot, which can <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/hyg.ipm.illinois.edu\/article.php?id=988\">burn turfgrass<\/a> and kill it. Think of it like spilling a handful of fertilizer in one place.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When your dog releases that much nitrogen in one spot, it can cause brown or dark green spots.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Here&#8217;s what each type of dog pee damage looks like:<\/strong><\/p>    <comment data-content=\" Removed this photo: credit information is incomplete (missing: infographic creator credit). Flagged for manual replacement sourcing. \"><\/comment>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><strong>Brown spots:<\/strong> Too much nitrogen from your dog&#8217;s urine can burn and kill the grass. The dead patches turn yellow and then brown, with a dark green ring around the edge. That ring forms where urine runs off from the center and becomes more diluted.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Dark green spots:<\/strong> Sometimes, soil doesn&#8217;t have enough nitrogen in it. If that&#8217;s the case for your lawn, then the nitrogen in dog pee will actually help your grass grow greener. Those dark green spots show where little Fido &#8220;fertilized&#8221; the lawn for you.<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Want to keep spots of any color out of your lawn? Here&#8217;s how.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/dog-pee-kills-grass\/\">Why Dog Pee Kills Grass (And How to Stop It)<\/a><\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 id=\"1-7-ways-to-prevent-dog-urine-spots\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"7-ways-to-prevent-dog-urine-spots\">7 ways to prevent dog urine spots<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most reliable way to prevent dog urine spots is to keep concentrated urine off the grass, either by flushing it with water or by training your dog to use a non-grass potty area. The other methods below reduce damage and help your lawn recover faster.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Method<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>How it helps<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Effort level<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Water thoroughly<\/td><td>Dilutes nitrogen and salts right away<\/td><td>Low, but needs consistency<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Designated potty spot<\/td><td>Keeps urine off the grass entirely<\/td><td>Medium (training time)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mow higher<\/td><td>Deeper roots and better cover for spots<\/td><td>Low<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Dog Rocks<\/td><td>Company says it filters nitrates from water<\/td><td>Low (results vary)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Diet changes<\/td><td>More water dilutes urine<\/td><td>Medium (talk to your vet)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Urine-resistant grass<\/td><td>Tougher turf tolerates urine better<\/td><td>High (renovation)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Healthy lawn care<\/td><td>Thick grass hides and recovers from spots<\/td><td>Medium<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <h3 id=\"2-1-water-thoroughly\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"1-water-thoroughly\">1. Water thoroughly<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/watering-grass-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A person in a blue plaid shirt watering a lush green lawn with a hose, standing in front of a wooden fence.\" class=\"wp-image-40619\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/watering-grass-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/watering-grass-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/watering-grass-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/watering-grass-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/watering-grass-610x407.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/watering-grass-928x619.jpg 928w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/watering-grass.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Right after your dog goes to the bathroom, soak the spot generously with water to flush nitrogen from the soil Photo Credit: michaeljung \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <comment data-content=\" Removed this photo: credit information is incomplete (missing: description, License). Flagged for manual replacement sourcing. \"><\/comment>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grab your garden hose or watering can because water is your best friend when trying to prevent dog pee spots. Right after your dog goes to the bathroom, water that spot thoroughly to flush nitrogen and salts from the soil.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don&#8217;t be stingy with the water. Soak the spot generously, since water is the only thing that neutralizes urine&#8217;s effects. Flushing limits dead spots, but it may not stop the dark green ring from forming.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wells Westmoreland, co-founder of <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/tomballlawncareservice.com\/\"><span style=\"color: inherit;\">Tomball Lawn Care Service<\/span><\/a>, serving Tomball and Northwest Houston, says to get it right away to prevent permanent root damage.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I&#8217;d recommend flushing the turf no more than a few (2-3) hours after a dog has urinated on it,&#8221; Westmoreland says. &#8220;A method we recommend to customers is to flush the yard thoroughly if you know your dogs have been outside.&#8221;<\/p>    <h3 id=\"3-2-set-up-a-designated-potty-spot\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"2-set-up-a-designated-potty-spot\">2. Set up a designated potty spot<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following your dog around with a watering can might get old fast, so here&#8217;s an alternative. Instead of letting your dog pee wherever he wants in the yard, train him to go only in one designated spot.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pet stores sell pheromone-treated pee posts that you can stake in the ground to lead your pup to his new potty spot. The scent signals to your dog, &#8220;You should go to the bathroom here.&#8221;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While training your dog to pee in the same spot every day, give lots of treats and praise. Dogs love positive reinforcement.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your dog&#8217;s new potty spot can be a back corner of the lawn where brown patches will go unnoticed or an area covered with mulch or gravel instead of grass. If you decide to use mulch, choose a material that isn&#8217;t toxic to dogs.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Here are some safe suggestions:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p>Rubber<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Cedar<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Straw<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Coconut fibers<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The No. 1 mulch material to avoid is cocoa shell, also known as cocoa bean hull. And we all know your pup will take a little nibble at some point.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.poison.org\/articles\/cocoa-bean-mulch-can-poison-dogs\">Cocoa bean mulch<\/a> contains theobromine and caffeine, the same chemicals that make chocolate poisonous to dogs. Swallowing it can cause vomiting, a fast heart rate, and tremors.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"4-3-mow-the-lawn-higher\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"3-mow-the-lawn-higher\">3. Mow the lawn higher<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let your grass grow out a little. Raise the height on the deck of your lawn mower and cut the grass as high as you can without it getting unruly or becoming unhealthy. How high you should mow depends on your grass type.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>These are the tallest <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-height-cut-grass\/\"><strong>recommended grass heights<\/strong><\/a><strong> for some of the most popular types of grass:<\/strong><\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Grass type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Tallest recommended height (hot or dry weather)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Centipedegrass<\/td><td>3 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Common Bermudagrass<\/td><td>3 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hybrid Bermudagrass<\/td><td>2 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>St. Augustinegrass<\/td><td>4 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Zoysiagrass<\/td><td>2 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Creeping red fescue<\/td><td>3 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kentucky bluegrass<\/td><td>3 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Perennial ryegrass<\/td><td>3 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tall fescue<\/td><td>3.5 inches<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These heights are the upper end of the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/solutions.tennessee.edu\/publication\/W1068\/\">recommended mowing ranges<\/a> for hot or dry stretches. In mild weather, you can mow a bit lower.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Taller grass is good for urine spots for 2 reasons:<\/strong><\/p>    <ol class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p>The taller the grass, the deeper the roots. Grass with a robust root system recovers better from stress, including urine burn.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Tall grass will cover and block urine spots from sight better than shorter grass will. With tall grass, you might not notice the spots even if they&#8217;re there.<\/p><\/li> <\/ol>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Westmoreland says raising the mowing height gives your lawn the best defense against dog urine damage.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Raising the mowing height won&#8217;t protect grass roots from dog urine, since the urine will soak through. However, what raising the height will do is help the roots to grow deeper, which makes the grass healthier and thicker &#8211; and therefore able to bounce back more quickly from exposure to dog urine,&#8221; he says.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"5-4-try-dog-rocks-in-your-dogs-water\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"4-try-dog-rocks-in-your-dogs-water\">4. Try Dog Rocks in your dog&#8217;s water<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your first question is probably: &#8220;What the heck are Dog Rocks?&#8221; Dog Rocks are a commercial product made of natural minerals that the company says filter nitrates, ammonia, and other impurities out of your dog&#8217;s water.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fewer nitrates in your dog&#8217;s water could mean less nitrogen in his urine and less damage to your lawn. Keep your expectations in check, though, because independent research on water additives is limited.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using them takes little effort. <strong>Here are the directions from the company&#8217;s website:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><strong>Step 1:<\/strong> Before putting them in your dog&#8217;s water, rinse the Dog Rocks thoroughly.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Either put the rocks directly into your dog&#8217;s water bowl or let them steep in a half-gallon pitcher of water for at least 10 hours, then fill your dog&#8217;s bowl with the water from the pitcher.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 3:<\/strong> Refill the bowl or pitcher so that the rocks are always sitting in about a half gallon of water.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Step 4:<\/strong> Replace Dog Rocks every 2 months.<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For best results, don&#8217;t let your dog drink water from other sources (like the garden hose, puddles, or the toilet). When you go for a long walk or to the dog park, bring Dog Rocks-treated water with you.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"6-5-change-your-dogs-diet\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"5-change-your-dogs-diet\">5. Change your dog&#8217;s diet<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/rsz_1english-cocker-spaniel-g790359059_1280.jpg\" alt=\"English cocker spaniel sitting next to a full bowl of dog food\" class=\"wp-image-7286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/rsz_1english-cocker-spaniel-g790359059_1280.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/rsz_1english-cocker-spaniel-g790359059_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/rsz_1english-cocker-spaniel-g790359059_1280-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/rsz_1english-cocker-spaniel-g790359059_1280-610x407.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/rsz_1english-cocker-spaniel-g790359059_1280-390x260.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sometimes changing your dog&#8217;s diet to fresher, less processed kibble can help prevent urine burn on your grass. Alkhaine | <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/english-cocker-spaniel-dog-puppy-5937760\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <comment data-content=\" Removed this photo: credit information is incomplete (missing: description, License). Flagged for manual replacement sourcing. \"><\/comment>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your dog&#8217;s diet can affect the nitrogen levels in his urine.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Here are some tips for altering your dog&#8217;s diet in ways that prevent urine burn:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><strong>Encourage more water:<\/strong> More water dilutes the nitrogen in his urine, and it&#8217;s good for his overall health too. Adding water to his food or swapping some dry food for wet food can help.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Ask about fresher proteins:<\/strong> Talk to your vet about whether a fresher, less processed diet makes sense for your dog.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Be cautious with supplements:<\/strong> Supplements designed to reduce urine burn can cause health issues, especially for dogs with a history of liver or kidney problems, kidney or bladder stones, or crystals in the urine.<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Warning:<\/strong> Always consult your veterinarian before making changes to your dog&#8217;s diet, especially if you&#8217;re considering dietary supplements. Every dog is different, and what works for some could be harmful to your pooch.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don&#8217;t risk your furbaby&#8217;s health for the sake of your lawn.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"7-6-plant-urine-resistant-grass\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"6-plant-urine-resistant-grass\">6. Plant urine-resistant grass<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-grass-types\/\">types of grass<\/a> are better than others at surviving the daily barrage of dog pee. If you&#8217;ve seen a lot of urine burn in your grass in the past, it might be time to switch it up. Replace your current grass with a more urine-resistant variety.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which grass types are best for preventing dog urine damage?<\/strong> Warm-season grasses such as Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass tend to have better <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/content.ces.ncsu.edu\/dogs-and-turfgrass-interactions\">urine tolerance<\/a> than cool-season grasses.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Bermudagrass tends to hold up the best: It spreads so quickly that it tends to repair itself well after being trampled by a dog,&#8221; Westmoreland says.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you must use cool-season grass because of where you live, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/tall-fescue-guide\/\">tall fescue<\/a> is the most urine-tolerant option, followed by creeping red fescue and perennial ryegrass. Kentucky bluegrass is the least tolerant.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-grasses-for-dogs\/\">6 Best Grasses for Dogs<\/a><\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 id=\"8-7-keep-your-lawn-healthy\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"7-keep-your-lawn-healthy\">7. Keep your lawn healthy<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A thick, healthy lawn hides urine spots and recovers from them better than a thin, stressed one.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Focus on these basics:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><strong>Fertilize on schedule:<\/strong> A well-fertilized lawn is generally less affected by the nitrogen in dog urine, so green rings blend in better. Stick to label rates, since too much fertilizer can burn grass on its own.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Water deeply:<\/strong> Regular, deep watering keeps salts from building up in the soil, where they can injure grass during dry spells.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Spread out the traffic:<\/strong> Rotate play areas when you can, so your dog doesn&#8217;t wear down or soak the same patch every day.<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-care-tips-for-dog-owners\/\">Dog-Friendly Lawn Care: 10 Tips to Protect Your Grass (And Your Pup)<\/a><\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 id=\"9-dog-pee-myths-that-dont-work\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"dog-pee-myths-that-dont-work\">Dog pee myths that don&#8217;t work<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kitchen remedies and urine-altering supplements don&#8217;t prevent <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/resource\/dog-urine-damage-on-lawns-causes-cures-and-prevention\/\">dog urine damage<\/a>. Dog urine burns grass because of its nitrogen and salts, not because it&#8217;s too acidic or alkaline, so products that change its pH miss the real problem.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Skip these popular fixes:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><strong>Baking soda or gypsum on the spot:<\/strong> Both are salts, so they can add to the damage instead of neutralizing it.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Tomato juice, vinegar, or salt in your dog&#8217;s food:<\/strong> These home remedies are unproven, and extra salt can cause problems for older dogs or dogs with heart or kidney conditions.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>pH-altering supplements:<\/strong> Products containing dl-methionine may cause urinary system problems, and no dietary supplement has been proven to reduce dog spots.<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plain water flushes urine from the soil better than any quick fix, so keep the hose handy.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"10-how-to-repair-lawn-damage-from-dog-pee\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"how-to-repair-lawn-damage-from-dog-pee\">How to repair lawn damage from dog pee<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To repair dog pee spots, flush the area with water to dilute leftover salts, then reseed or patch the dead grass. Has your dog already marked her spot in your lawn? Don&#8217;t send poor Fido to the doghouse yet. The damage is fixable.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>You can repair dog pee spots with:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p>Reseeding<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Soil-cleansing lawn treatments<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>Regular fertilization<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learn more about which method is right for you in our guide to repairing dog pee spots on your grass.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-repair-dog-pee-spots-on-grass\/\">How to Repair Dog Pee Spots on Your Grass<\/a><\/p><\/li>    <li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-reseed-lawn\/\">How to Reseed a Lawn<\/a><\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 id=\"11-faqs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/span><\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-17917592250821088\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Do female dogs or bigger dogs cause more urine damage?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Often, yes. Female dogs tend to squat and release urine in one concentrated stream, and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/dogs-vs-lawns\/\">larger dogs produce<\/a> more urine. Some males and puppies squat too, so how your dog pees matters more than sex.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-17917592250828534\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How long does it take grass to recover from dog urine spots?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The mix of dark green and brown <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.k-state.edu\/turf\/resources\/lawn-problem-solver\/problem-solver\/dead-patches\/urine\/\">urine damage patches<\/a> can last several weeks, depending on how quickly the surrounding grass fills in. When many spots merge, you may need to reseed or lay sod.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-17917592250821274\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Should I keep my dog off newly reseeded spots?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Keep your dog off freshly seeded patches until the new grass is established. Paw traffic and fresh urine can set back young seedlings, so use a temporary fence or redirect your dog to a potty area in the meantime.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <h2 id=\"12-no-more-ruff-patches-for-your-lawn\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"no-more-ruff-patches-for-your-lawn\">No more ruff patches for your lawn<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your dog has to use the bathroom, and you want a beautiful lawn. You don&#8217;t have to compromise one for the other. You can prevent brown, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-bring-grass-back-to-life\/\">dead patches<\/a> in your lawn without affecting your pet&#8217;s health and happiness.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Follow these tips to prevent dog pee damage on grass and keep your lawn lush. And don&#8217;t worry if you see a little brown spot from time to time. You can always repair the damage after the fact.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keeping your lawn healthy with regular maintenance can help prevent dog pee damage. Call one of LawnLove&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnlove.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=mowing\">local lawn care pros<\/a> for regular lawn mowing and other services.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Photo Credit: Tony Alter | <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/78428166@N00\/41342098284\/\">Flickr<\/a> | <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to prevent dog pee damage on grass with 7 proven fixes, from watering spots fast to picking tougher grass, plus the myths that won&#8217;t save your lawn.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":22371,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[126],"tags":[226],"class_list":["post-5971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-tips","tag-lawn-care-tips"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Dog-pee-grass.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Jordan Ardoin","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/jordan-ardoin\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5971"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5971\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49997,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5971\/revisions\/49997"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}