WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.
Lawn and Turf: Dog injury
categories: Lawn and Turf Lawn and Turf Diseases
revision date: 2022-10-30 10:11
Photo by: R.S. Byther
Biology
Dog injury typically appears on lawns as brown, circular patches a few inches in diameter. These patches may be surrounded in a few days by a ring of darker green, more vigorous grass, resulting from the nitrogen in the urine. Samples of the dead grass placed in a plastic bag will release ammonia, which can be detected by smell. Animal urine does more damage on dry soils, where the salts cannot be easily dispersed. Urine damage can be mistaken for symptoms of several patch-type diseases. Other chemical injury such as fertilizer spills or salt spills can cause similar symptoms, but do not release an odor of ammonia.
Management Options
Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.
Non-chemical Management
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!
- Water spots heavily to help dilute the concentration of urea in the dog’s urine. Female dogs are usually more damaging.
- Overseed damaged spots with a grass seed mix similar to the lawn composition to fill in spots and prevent weed invasion.
Chemical Management
IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.
- None recommended
Additional Image
Photo by: C.R. Foss
WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination.
Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.