{"id":494,"date":"2017-07-05T14:41:36","date_gmt":"2017-07-05T20:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lonetreevet.com\/blog\/?p=494"},"modified":"2022-03-30T06:43:51","modified_gmt":"2022-03-30T12:43:51","slug":"dog-urine-spots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lonetreevet.com\/blog\/dog-urine-spots\/","title":{"rendered":"Green Grass, Happy Dog: Preventing Dog Urine Spots on Lawns"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"dogWe love everything about our dogs, but we don\u2019t always love some of the side effects of \u201cdoggie business\u201d, such as those yellow or brown dog urine spots on the lawn. Not only do the spots make the yard look less attractive, they are also hard to get rid of. Add in two or more dogs, and you may be facing a completely dead lawn in the not too distant future.<\/p>\n

Also called \u201clawn burn\u201d, urine<\/a> damage to lawns is a misunderstood problem that has generated a variety of commercial products and DIY remedies. We\u2019ve broken down this common concern and have the scoop on how to prevent this unsightly situation.<\/p>\n

What Causes Dog Urine Spots?<\/h3>\n

The yellow spots that develop after your dog urinates on your lawn are caused by the high concentration of nitrogen-containing compounds and associated salts that are naturally present in dog urine. It\u2019s similar to putting too much fertilizer in a small spot on your lawn, which also causes lawn burn.<\/p>\n

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Contrary to popular belief, urine spots are not caused exclusively by female dogs or by certain breeds<\/a>. Rather, it\u2019s the result of urine being deposited in a small concentrated area. Since female dogs tend to squat and stay in one spot to urinate, it will be more likely to damage the grass in that spot. In general, any dog (male or female) that squats or sprays in one spot will deposit urine into a concentrated area. Dog urine spots may also be more noticeable with larger dogs, due to the higher volume of urine produced.<\/p>\n

Keeping Your Lawn Green<\/h3>\n

First, be sure that the brown spots are the result of urine deposits and not related to a fungus, overuse of lawn fertilizer, under-watering, or other lawn maintenance issue.<\/p>\n

There are a variety of amino acid-based oral products on the market that claim to eliminate urine spots by changing the pH of your dog\u2019s urine. At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we don\u2019t recommend giving pets these products or making a dietary change specifically to end lawn spots. Any supplementation that is given to your pet should only be at the recommendation of your veterinarian and for medical reasons.<\/p>\n

Treating the grass, not the pet, is your best bet for a green lawn:<\/p>\n