How to stop dog pee from killing grass and tips for repairing the lawn

Repair dog pee spots on grass for a lush lawn

No matter how cute your dog is or how good it is at playing fetch, it doesn't feel much like your best friend when it wrecks your lawn. Of course, it isn't your pup's fault that dog pee kills grass, but naturally, you'll want to fix the damage with proper lawn care. 

You could just sprinkle grass seed over the affected area and cross your fingers, but you'll have more luck taking your time and doing it right — for instance, by raking up dead grass and using a lawn aerator. We'll discuss how to stop dog pee from killing grass, and if it's already too late, ways to repair the damage for a healthy lawn. 

In this article: Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Grass Mix, Yard Butler Manual Lawn Coring Aerator and Dog Rocks

How do you repair a dog-damaged lawn? 

Rake up dead grass

The first step in repairing lawn damage is raking up as much dead grass from the damaged areas as possible. If the thought of this fills you with dread, we get it — nobody likes to do extra yard work, but this creates a blank canvas from which new grass seed can grow. A dethatching rake is a good choice for removing dead grass, but any yard rake will do the job. 

Saturate with water

It's primarily the nitrogen in dogs' urine that turns grass brown and some of this is likely hanging around in areas of dead grass. Give these patches a good soaking to flush nitrogen out of the area that might hamper new growth. 

Aerate the area

It's a good idea to aerate the dead patches of your lawn. Aerating stimulates root growth, which is just what you need after grass has been damaged. It also lets more air, water and nutrients reach deeper into the soil, which helps promote a healthy green lawn. Since you'll only be aerating a small area, a manual lawn aerator is your best bet. 

Add topsoil

It's almost time to reseed your lawn, but first, add a layer of topsoil or compost (around an inch or two) to the affected areas. This gives your seeds a good base to grow from. Use a rake to mix it in with the soil beneath. 

Reseed the patches

Now sprinkle grass seed over the affected area and rake it to get an even distribution. If you know what type of grass your lawn consists of, use the same type of grass seed. If you're unsure, try using a general patch repair seed mix. Water the area daily for a week or two and don't mow the area until the grass is around 3 inches tall. 

How to prevent dog damage to a lawn

Once you've repaired your lawn, you might want to learn how to prevent future dog urine spots on grass from forming.

• Dilute urine. It might seem strange to follow your dog around with a hose or watering can every time they go outside to pee. However, watering the area where your dog has done their business dilutes the urine and reduces the chance of damage. 
• Keep your dog well-hydrated. Dehydrated dogs have more concentrated urine that's more likely to damage your grass. Keep your dog well hydrated and you may see improvements. 
• Add lawn-protecting minerals to your dog's water. While there are supplements you can feed your dog to keep their urine from damaging the lawn, these change the pH of their urine and can increase the risk of kidney stones. However, if you get a dog urine neutralizer for lawn use, you can bypass that risk altogether. There are minerals you can buy that neutralize the nitrogen and ammonia from your dog's drinking water to reduce lawn damage without changing urine pH. 

What you need to repair and protect a dog-damaged lawn

Pennington Smart Seed Sun and Shade Grass Mix

This is an all-around seed mix that's suitable for lawns that receive some sun and some shade. It's a mix of Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass.

Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun and Shade Mix

If you'd prefer to use a dedicated lawn patching and repair mix, this one is a great choice. It's equally suited to lawns that receive full sun, full shade or anything in between. The mulch helps with new growth. 

Bully Tools Leaf and Thatching Rake

If you're searching for a versatile rake, this one can take up dead grass but is also useful for other yard tasks, such as raking leaves. It's a durable yet lightweight choice with a fiberglass handle and spring steel tines. 

Yard Butler Manual Lawn Coring Aerator

Thanks to its manual design, this aerator is perfect for tackling small areas. It helps get more air, water and nutrients to your lawn to boost growth and increase root strength for a more resilient lawn. 

Dog Rocks

These natural minerals reduce urine burn on lawns by neutralizing nitrogen and other compounds in your dog's drinking water that contribute to killing grass. They do this without changing the pH balance of your dog's urine, so they're totally safe. 

Flexzilla Garden Hose

You'll need a reliable garden hose to flush out the dog urine from your yard. This weather-resistant hose will last for years with a lightweight build that makes it easy to carry around. It comes in lengths ranging from 3 to 100 feet to suit a variety of yard sizes. 

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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