Dog Urine Spots on Grass

Laurie Anne Walden, DVM

Dog urine can turn grass yellow or brown. Lots of other things can also cause grass to die or change color, so before you blame your dog, make sure the grass spots really are caused by dog urine (you might need to consult a lawn care specialist).
 
Why Does Urine Discolor Grass?
Dog urine contains nitrogen, which is produced by the body’s normal breakdown of protein. Nitrogen helps plants grow, but too much nitrogen damages plants, causing “burn” or “scald.” Fertilizers are designed to deliver the right amount of nitrogen at specific application rates. A small amount of nitrogen from dog urine can act as a fertilizer, so a patch of urine-scalded lawn might be surrounded by a ring of healthy green grass where the urine was less concentrated.
 
Urine also contains salts and is often a bit acidic. Salts and acid can damage plants, but nitrogen is the main reason that urine discolors grass.
 
Female dogs may be more likely than male dogs to cause urine spots on grass because they usually urinate large amounts in one location. Male dogs tend to urinate small volumes in lots of different places. But male dogs who urinate a lot in one area can also cause lawn burn.
 
How to Prevent Urine Spots on Grass
If urine spots on the lawn are new for your dog, consult your veterinarian. Your dog might need a urinalysis to check for a medical problem, like a urinary tract infection, that has changed the properties of the urine.
 
Don’t treat a healthy dog for a grass problem. Don’t change to a low-protein diet or feed any supplements or foods that claim to change the urine chemistry or pH (unless your veterinarian has diagnosed a medical condition that needs these treatments). These products could be risky for a dog who doesn’t need them and probably won’t solve the grass discoloration anyway.
 
These methods are safe for your dog:

• Train your dog to urinate in a designated area. A patch of mulch or gravel is a good choice. This method takes time and patience but has a major advantage: it keeps your lawn free of pet waste that could be a health hazard for people.
• Dilute the urine on the grass by watering the area right after your dog urinates (consider using water collected from a rain barrel to reduce water waste).
• Consult a landscaper about using ground covers that are resistant to urine scald. Some plants are less prone than others to being discolored by urine. A landscaper can also help you create an attractive dog toilet area.
• Learn to live with yellow spots in your grass as a small price to pay for the fun of having a dog.

 
Photo by 78Li

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