If you have one or more dogs, then you know that sometimes they can wreak havoc on your lawn. Whether it’s tearing up grass with digging or playtime or causing urine burn due to the high concentration of nitrogen in their pee, dogs and lawns sometimes feel like they just don’t mix.
Here at Limbwalker, we know that people love their pets….and their lawns…and they want to find ways that they can co-exist!
In this article, we’ll dive into some of the most common questions around lawn care and pets, with some advice on how to avoid common problems.
Table of Contents
Does dog pee kill grass?
Will dog poop kill grass?
Dealing with digging
Tips for pet friendly lawn care
Limbwalker’s approach to pet friendly lawn care
Homeowners often want to know, Does dog pee ruin grass? Unfortunately, yes, dog urine can kill grass and cause bare spots. As we’ve mentioned, this is due to the high nitrogen content in pee. While nitrogen is found in lawn fertilizer, and is good for the lawn in appropriate quantities, too much can have a “burn” effect.
There is a misconception that female dogs have a higher nitrogen content in their urine than male dogs since they seem more likely to cause urine burn. In reality, this is simply due to the fact that female dogs squat to pee and male dogs lift their legs (spraying urine in a wider area, typically).
We understand that this is a tricky problem to address. We’ll offer some of our best advice on the subject. But keep in mind there is no magic bullet for this one.
One thing that we do not recommend is store-bought products for treating urine burn simply because we have not found any that are effective. These types of products are probably a waste of your money.
Instead, we advise trying to train your dog to urinate in specific areas of the property where you won’t be as bothered by urine burn. Some homeowners have a far corner of the yard or a side yard where they teach their dogs to pee.
Even better, some homeowners intentionally create a mulched area meant to be a spot for their pup’s potty needs! Training your dog to use a specific mulched area for urination can help you avoid having urine burns in the lawn.
Keep in mind that lawns that are thick and healthy will have a better chance of standing up to urine burn than those that are thin and already struggling. This is a key reason why keeping up with regular lawn care is important.
That being said, even healthy lawns can deal with urine burn, especially if you have a large dog (or more than one). It’s one of those issues where you’ll have to have some patience and understanding.
Like urine, dog poop can also contain high levels of nitrogen, which can start to harm the lawn if left lying there for too long. The good thing about dog poop, though, is that it can be picked up and disposed of.
Dog poop left lying on the grass can also decompose and lead to the growth of lawn fungus. Lawn fungus thrives on moisture and nitrogen. This is another good reason to pick your dog poop up as quickly as possible!
Having a designated potty area can also help in this situation as it will ensure that you find all of the poops and pick them up.
Just as with urine burn, lawns that are thick and healthy have a better chance of standing up to the effects of dog poop in the grass. But it’s still best to be prompt about picking up poo. It’s also the best way to avoid stepping in it!
If you do end up with bare spots as a result of nitrogen burn (from pee or poop), lawn aeration and overseeding can help to fill these in. But unless you come up with a solution (such as a mulched “potty area” or prompt poop clean-up), these issues will just continue to happen.
Another common dog/lawn problem that arises is digging. This is another tricky issue to solve. We recommend getting to the root cause of why your dog is digging. Or, make an effort to train your dog and stop these bad habits.
Expert sources say that dogs sometimes resort to digging in the yard when they are bored or stressed. Keeping your pup occupied when he or she is out on the lawn can help avoid these behaviors.
Of course, sometimes dogs dig because of instinct or because they are searching and exploring for food. If you have a dog who digs, you might want to avoid leaving them unattended in the yard.
Some dog owners have said that taking their dog for more frequent walks is helpful in preventing digging behaviors in the yard. If they are well-exercised, they might be too tired to dig.
If you are really struggling with digging behaviors, it might be worth looking into a pet trainer who could help you teach your dog to stop.
As far as fixing any bare spots that were created by digging, a service like lawn aeration and overseeding can help to fill in these holes.
We understand that many pet owners are also concerned about practicing pet friendly lawn care. They want to feel confident that any treatments they use on their lawn aren’t going to be harmful to their pets.
We understand this concern. Dogs are more exposed to whatever is on your lawn since their bare paws touch the grass and their noses are constantly sniffing. And some pups even enjoy chewing on blades of grass.
To alleviate concerns, we have written an article on whether lawn care is safe for dogs.
The bottom line is that if you're working with a lawn care provider that uses responsible application methods and safe products, you can still have a green, healthy lawn without putting your pets in harm’s way.
The key is working with a company that doesn’t cut corners. At Limbwalker, pet safety is a priority in every treatment we apply — and we use the same lawn care programs at our own homes with our own dogs.
Of course, in order to keep pets safe, we do recommend keeping them indoors during treatments. The reasoning for this is two-fold.
For one, you want to make sure that pets do not escape your yard while your lawn care tech is coming and going (and potentially opening gates in the process).
But, you also do want to ensure you’re giving lawn care products ample time to dry.
Once our liquid lawn care products have dried on the grass, they’re bonded to the plant surface — which means they won’t transfer onto your dog’s paws or skin.
Drying usually takes about an hour, or even less on a hot, sunny day. To be extra cautious, we suggest waiting up to two hours before letting pets back outside. This simple precaution helps keep your furry family members safe and worry-free.
It’s important to note that not all lawn care companies are going to treat your yard with the same level of care and precision — and that matters when you have pets at home. Pet friendly lawn care ultimately boils down to what the lawn care company you’re using is doing.
At Limbwalker, we follow a Least Chemical Philosophy, which means we only use products when and where they’re truly needed. Instead of blanket-spraying your entire lawn like many companies do, we target individual weeds. This reduces unnecessary chemical exposure for your pets — and for your family.
Many lawn companies train technicians to spray everything simply because it’s easier than teaching them to spot and treat specific weeds. But when herbicides are applied across the entire yard, they linger on the grass where pets walk, play, and roll around.
Our Least Chemical Philosophy is one way that we help practice pet friendly lawn care and keep your beloved furry family members safe.
If you're a pet owner in Louisville, KY, you want a lawn care partner who not only delivers great results — but does so with your family's safety in mind. That includes using the right products, applying them responsibly, and minimizing exposure through smart, selective treatment strategies.
We’re also always here to make suggestions and give advice. While we by no means are claiming to be pet experts, we have learned some of the tips from our years of owning pets ourselves…and from practicing lawn care.
As you likely already know, owning pets takes patience. And the same is true for letting pets use your lawn. While it might not always be “perfect,” there are ways that you can try to minimize problems and still enjoy a beautiful lawn.
At the end of the day, we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between a beautiful lawn and your dog’s safety — and with the right lawn care partner, you don’t have to.
At Limbwalker, we’re committed to providing pet-safe lawn care that delivers real results for families in Louisville, KY. Whether you're just getting started or want a better alternative to your current provider, we’re here to help.
Get a quote today and take the first step toward a healthy, pet-friendly yard you can feel good about.