To keep the light on, we receive affiliate commissions from some of our links.Our review process.
Is Dog Urine Killing Your Backyard Grass? Or does your garden smell like a portable potty? Your yard can suffer from your dog's urine, but it doesn't have to. We have solutions for the most annoying problems so you can restore your lawn and enjoy your outdoor life.
table of contents
- Why does dog urine kill grass?
- 5 tips to prevent dog urine from killing your lawn
- How to Fix the Lawn Where Dogs Pee
- How to get rid of dog urine smell outside
Why does dog urine kill grass?
dog urine hashigh concentrations of nitrogen.A little nitrogen is healthy for your lawn; in fact, many lawn fertilizers contain low concentrations of nitrogen. But too much nitrogen essentially burns the grass.
Females can do more damage because they usually crouch in one spot, while males mark their territory in multiple areas and around trees, bushes and other vertical objects.
5 tips to prevent dog urine from killing your lawn
Dog urine killing grass is a common problem, but there are several things you can try to prevent those unsightly brown and yellow spots from forming.
1. Use correa
Take your dog outside to pee in acordaputs you in control This way you avoid him always peeing in the same place.
2. Train in a designated area
It may take some time to teach your dog to walk a certain area, but it could also save your lawn. You may want to create a gravel pile for a place to urinate, or choose a less conspicuous area of the lawn. you can also put acheek postin your garden like thisLulind Dog Fire Hydrant Garden Statueor thepee pole easy to fixEnriched with pheromones to attract your dog.
3. Encourage your dog to drink more water
Drinking more water helps reduce nitrogen levels in the urine. It's also healthier for your dog.
4. Use a food supplement
You can feed your dog a supplement that balances the pH and nitrogen of the urine, such as:PetHonesty Keep Grass Green masticablesoZesty Paws Stay Green Bites🇧🇷 These dietary supplements contain natural ingredients such as cranberry,probioticsand apple cider vinegarKeep your dog's digestive system healthy and reduce the amount of nitrogen in your dog's urine.
Caution:Most of these supplements contain DL-methionine to help neutralize the urine. This ingredient can beHarmful to dogs with pre-existing liver and kidney disease.
our personal experience
Our dog Barley has the worst urine smell of any dog we've ever owned! Our garden quickly started to smell really bad. The only thing I found online was watering the garden more to thin it out, washing it and adding lava rocks to the dog water. Most of the other options are unnatural and less attractive... and don't get the best reviews.
but we foundPetHonesty Keep Grass Green masticablesthey contain probiotics and it worked great! We've been using it for four months now and we no longer have a smelly garden and our grass is still green and healthy.
– Michelle S., Hundejournal
5. Spray the area with water
Although not as practical, you can also spray the spot with water right after your dog urinates. This can help dilute the higher concentration of nitrogen in the lawn.
How to Fix the Lawn Where Dogs Pee
Now that you're on your way to prevention, it's time to touch up those old brown spots. Here are some tips to get your lawn looking lush again.
cor
Are you having a garden party or are you trying to sell your house andDo you need a quick fix?just sprayLawnStar Dog Stain Repair Grass Farbeto cover these imperfections. One bottle covers approximately 50-75 square feet and is safe for children, pets and plants. It's not a long-term solution, but it's a great solution if you're in a pinch. Users say that the dye color looks natural and lasts after rain.
repair
If you just need to fix a few stray spots, a lawn repair treatment can help neutralize dog urine in your lawn. Some treatments likeConserto de manchas Scotts EZ Seed Dog, containsSeeds, mulch and a special salt neutralizerHelps repair damage caused by canine urine down to the root zone. Scott's even has several formula options for different grass types. Make sure to use afertilizer for pets.
replant
If most of your lawn is suffering or you don't have much luck keeping your dog from peeing everywhere, this is something to consider.Replant with more urine-resistant grass.Fescue and ryegrass are the most resistant to urine, while Bermuda and Kentucky bluegrass are the most sensitive.
our personal experience
My dog Sally likes to relieve herself in the same areas in our yard and will completely damage the grass in those areas. We repair areas withConserto de manchas Scotts EZ Seed Dog, and it worked really well.
The hardest part was keeping them out of these areas while the grass grew. Until the grass grows back, I would recommend tying your dog to go potty so all your efforts don't go to waste.
What I like about Scott's is that it's easy to tell when watering is needed. When the EZ Seed is light brown, it's time to water. – Kimberly A., Dog Journal
How to get rid of dog urine smell outside
Does the smell of dog urine ruin your outdoor fun? Here are some of our suggestions on how to get rid of dog urine smell outdoors. The first step in eliminating outdoor dog urine odor is locating the source(s). If there are no visible stains, use ablack lightAt night, it can help you see where the urine is.
enzymatic cleaners
Enzymatic cleaners, such as high-grade onesSimple Outdoor Green Odor Eliminator, works with natural microorganisms ("good" bacteria) to break down the bacteria in urine that cause odors and stains. simple green isNon-toxic and safe to use on grass, artificial grass, gravel, concrete, brick,and many other surfaces. It is also useful for eliminating outdoor poop odors.
Watch this video to see how easy it is to remove pet odors from your yard with Simple Green.
home remedies
Alternatively, try a homemade garden odor remover.
- by the grass,sprinklegarden lemonon the premises. This will help remove the odor and neutralize the urine to restore the herb.
- For grass, use aDaily Square Sprinklerin the affected areas. The water slowly dilutes the urine so that it seeps into the soil.
- For surfaces without grass,sprinkle baking sodaon the premises. Leave it for an hour to absorb the urine smell. For cemented areas, use a brush to scrub the area before allowing it to set. Rinse with fresh water.
- When the urine dries on a porous surface such as concrete, mixbleach with waterand pour on the surface. Let it act for 10 minutes before watering the area.
Pet odor and stain removal.
If your problem is not limited to the exterior, continue reading our articleHow can I get the dog urine smell out of carpet?🇧🇷 This article will provide many practical tips for removing wet and dry urine stains, as well as several effective products you can use to remove odors and stains from carpets and floors.
Tagged with:
FAQs
How do you neutralize dog urine naturally? ›
In a clean spray bottle, mix one cup of distilled white vinegar with one cup of water and 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Shake it up to mix the ingredients, and then spray on the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then blot with towels until clean.
What can you put on grass to neutralize dog urine smell? ›For grass, sprinkle garden lime on the area. This helps both to eliminate the odor and neutralize the urine to help restore your grass. For grass, use an oscillating sprinkler daily on the affected areas. The water will slowly dilute the urine, so it seeps into the soil.
Can you stop dog urine from killing grass naturally? ›The most natural and safest solution to stop your dog's pee from killing the grass… is one ingredient… WATER! After your dog pees, saturate the area with water. This will help dilute the nitrogen and stop the brown spots from forming.
Does vinegar neutralize dog pee smell? ›Because the vinegar is acidic, it will neutralize the bacteria in the dog pee, offsetting its odor. Vinegar is pet safe, effective, cheap, and eco friendly. Let the vinegar solution sit for 3-5 minutes or carefully follow the instructions on the cleaning product's label.
How do you make a urine neutralizer? ›Make a solution of baking soda, peroxide and any dish detergent. The combination of the three is often powerful enough to drive away strong urine smells. The solutions is eight fluid ounces of peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and a few drops of dish detergent.
How can I keep my grass alive with dog urine? ›“The safest way to keep your lawn green is to spray the area in which your dog urinated with a hose to dilute the urine,” Dr. Sinnott says. “If you are installing a new lawn, consider seeding it with 'urine hardy' grass such as tall fescue. This has been shown to be the most tolerant to urine of all the lawn grasses.”
Will baking soda neutralize dog urine on grass? ›A natural way to repair yellow spots in the grass caused by the dog's urine is to dissolve a cup of baking soda in a gallon of water and pour on the affected area. The baking soda neutralizes the high nitrogen concentration, and it will also deodorize the area so the dog won't recognize the spot and go there again.
Does vinegar neutralize dog urine on grass? ›Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer, so it can help get rid of any unpleasant smells left behind by the urine. It's also non-toxic, which means it's safe for you, your pet and artificial grass. Dissolve one part white vinegar with four parts water.
Pouring water on the area after your dog urinates will help to dilute the urine and lessen the effects of the nitrogen on your lawn. Encourage your dog to drink more water. The more your dog drinks, the less nitrogen will be concentrated in the urine and the less damaging it will be to your lawn.
What is the most powerful odor eliminator? ›- Best Overall Odor Absorber — All Prime Bamboo Charcoal Bags (4-Pack 500g Bags)
- Best Room Spray — Febreze Air Freshener Spray.
- Best Odor Eliminator in the Bathroom — Poo-Pourri Toilet Spray.
- Best Refrigerator Odor Eliminator — NonScents Refrigerator Deodorizer.
What is the best homemade dog repellent? ›
Many store-bought dog repellents are made with apple cider vinegar, which you can use to make your own homemade solution for a fraction of the cost. To make a strong solution, mix one cup of white vinegar with two cups apple cider vinegar. Place it in a spray bottle and mist any desired areas, indoors or out.
How long does it take vinegar to neutralize dog urine? ›Apply vinegar solution:
You can apply vinegar solution with a 1:1 ratio as before. Leave the stain for 5-10 minutes, and then wipe clean with a towel.
Mix water, baking soda and lemon juice in a large bowl and stir or whisk together. The ingredients may fizz a little, so wait a few minutes until they stop fizzing. Both lemon and baking soda are traditional odor eaters, and the bonus is... most people have them on hand and they are super inexpensive!
How do you make a smell neutralizer? ›All you're going to need are three ingredients: 2 cups Hydrogen peroxide. 2 teaspoons Baking soda. 1/2 teaspoon Dishwashing liquid.
What neutralizes pee odor? ›Try mixing about a cup of peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and just a couple drops of dish detergent. Spray the area, allow it to sit for about 20 minutes, and rub the area until the odor is eliminated.
Can you put something on grass to neutralize dog urine? ›Dog spots can be “cured” by sprinkling the affected area with baking soda, gypsum, dishwashing detergent, etc. to neutralize the urine.
How long do you leave baking soda on dog pee? ›Leave baking soda to absorb.
Tackle canine-created odors in your carpet by sprinkling baking soda on the surface, waiting 15 minutes (up to 24 hours for strong smells), then vacuuming.
You can use lavender essential oil to help get rid of a number of unpleasant pet odours including pets using the carpet as a toilet, dogs in need of deodorant, pongy pet beds and as a general room freshener.
What essential oil neutralizes pet urine? ›Some of the most popular essential oils for odor control are as follows: lemon, lemongrass, rosemary, lavender, tea tree, and orange. You can choose one, or create your own unique blend using your favorite oils!
What neutralizes ammonia in dog urine? ›Vinegar and Baking Soda
Start with a 50/50 solution combination of white vinegar and water. Pour the solution on the spot and get out your scrub brush; it's time to put some elbow grease into cleaning the mess up. The vinegar neutralizes the ammonia in the urine, which is the first step of eliminating the odor.
What enzyme breaks down dog urine? ›
Proteases: Can break down protein-based stains and odors, feces, urine, and other bodily fluids that your pets might leave behind.
Can you neutralize dog urine? ›Dog spots can be “cured” by sprinkling the affected area with baking soda, gypsum, dishwashing detergent, etc. to neutralize the urine.
What is the best pet urine neutralizer? ›- Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator.
- Sonny & Honey Pet Stain and Odor Miracle.
- Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator.
- Simple Green Bio Dog Stain and Odor Eliminator.
- Nature's Miracle Advanced Stain & Odor Eliminator for Severe Cat Messes.
- Resolve Ultra-Pet Stain and Odor Remover.
If you want something more natural, you can make an odor eliminating spray at home using essential oils. Mix together a half teaspoon of orange essential oil (or one of your choice), one teaspoon of vinegar, one teaspoon of baking powder, and 5 ounces of hydrogen peroxide. Spray your mixture on the area and let dry.
Does vinegar break down enzymes in dog urine? ›Cleaning dog urine accidents requires more than soap and water to remove the stain and odor completely. Using soap may mask the odor for a day or so, but normally it creeps back over a period of time. The acidic component in white vinegar allows it to break down the protein in dog urine.
Does baking soda neutralize dog urine? ›Baking soda naturally neutralizes odors. Sprinkle it liberally on the damp area or even an old urine stain, and work the powder gently into the fibers of any fabric, rug or carpet. Let the baking soda sit overnight for maximum odor absorption, then vacuum it up to remove the smell completely.
Does hydrogen peroxide get rid of dog urine smell? ›Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide does a great job at removing dog pee. Just put some peroxide into a spray bottle, soak the stain in a few sprays, and let it sit for about 10 or 15 minutes. To finish the job, clean it up with a rag.
At the top of the list? Citrus. Most dogs can't stand the taste and smell of oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. Here's why — plus, how to use their dislike of citrus to your advantage.
What natural scents do dogs hate? ›- Chili Peppers.
- Onions.
- Ground Spices (such as cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, cardamom, mustard, and cayenne pepper)
- Garlic.
- Citrus Fruits (such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits)
- Vinegar.
- Fresh Herbs (such as basil, mint, rosemary, and thyme)
- Alcohol.
Taste deterrents take advantage of your pet's dislike of bitter and spicy flavors by using those sensations to discourage chewing. Bitter apple sprays and spicy or hot sprays are commonly used deterrents.