We love our dogs—and we love our lawns—but the two don’t always get along. One of the biggest challenges for pet parents is dealing with those unsightly yellow or bare patches caused by dog urine. While it may seem harmless, dog pee is packed with nitrogen, salts, and other compounds that can burn your grass, especially when concentrated in one spot.
Female dogs are often the bigger culprits—not because they mean to be, but because they squat and tend to urinate in one location, causing more direct damage. Unless your pup is trained to go in a specific area, you might find your lush lawn dotted with crater-like burn spots.
But don’t worry—we’ve got your back with simple steps to repair the damage and tips to prevent it from happening again!
How to Repair Dog Pee Spots in Your Lawn
1. Rake It Out: Use a sturdy metal rake to remove the dead grass and loosen the top layer of soil. This helps the area breathe and gets it ready for repair.
2. Flush the Area: Soak the spot with plenty of water to dilute the nitrogen and other compounds. This will help neutralize the soil and prevent further burn.
3. Reseed with Turf Restore: Apply a grass seed and compost blend like Purely Organic Products Turf Restore or The Old Farmer's Almanac Lawn Repair. These seed and compost blends work quickly to establish thick grass beds with strong roots to ensure a long lasting, lush, green lawn for you and your family.
4. Water Daily: Keep the area moist until the grass establishes. You should see sprouts within a week, and the patch should fill in completely within a few weeks.
How to Prevent Future Lawn Damage
1. Keep your Dog Hydrated: More water = more diluted urine, which means less lawn damage. Make sure fresh water is always available, especially during hot months.
2. Designate a Potty Spot: Training your dog to go in a specific area—like a gravel patch or mulch bed—can save the rest of your lawn from wear and tear.
3. Use Pet-Safe Products: When it's time to fertilize, choose natural options like Purely Organic Products Lawn Food or The Old Farmer's Almanac Lawn Food. Chemical-based fertilizers may worsen damage and aren’t safe for pets.
Your dog and your lawn can live in harmony—with a little care, training, and SimplyGro’s trusted lawn solutions!