There are many myths and customs in the gardening world, some of which are true and have a scientific basis, while others don’t. Even so-called “experts” on television occasionally offer dubious recommendations based on rumor. The subject of dog stains on the lawn is one that frequently generates bad advice.
Those of us who live in neighborhoods with dogs frequently have to deal with small brown stains left by dog urine. Dogs tend to urinate in the same spot all winter, so in the spring those spots may be quite large. While repairing those spots is important, everyone is interested in finding ways to avoid them in the first place. That’s where the misinformation comes in.
Sometimes people will tell you to feed your dog tomato juice or cider vinegar to adjust the pH of the urine because the acidity of the dog’s urine kills the grass. Don’t do it!.
Although they can tolerate a wide pH range, turf grasses actually prefer a slightly acidic environment. 5 to 7. 5 or higher and still do well. Dog urine has a pH between 6. 0 and 8. 0, depending on the dog’s diet and health. The pH of the urine is NOT what kills the grass.
The high nitrogen content of the urine, which results in the brown spot, is the real offender. Urea, a form of nitrogen produced by the metabolism of protein, and water make up the majority of what is found in urine. Dogs are carnivores, so they consume a lot of protein, which results in a lot of urea (nitrogen) in the urine.
The spots appear because a dog’s concentrated urinate, which is high in nitrogen, “burns” the grass plants in a small area. If you accidentally spilled some commercial fertilizer in a small space, the same thing would occur. Toxic nitrogen levels cause the dog spot’s center to die, but each spot develops an outer ring of deeper green because the nitrogen concentration there is sufficiently diluted to have a fertilizing effect.
Because they squat and concentrate more urine in a small spot, female dogs typically cause more dog spots than male dogs. Males typically urinate less frequently, more sparingly, or against upright objects like trees or other upright objects.
Giving your dog additives won’t stop the brown spots because pH is not the cause of them, and they may even be harmful to your dog. Veterinarians caution that feeding supplements that change pH, like tomato juice, vinegar, or baking soda, could cause bladder infections, crystals, and bladder stones.
Although you can lead the dog to the water, you can’t force him to drink, increasing the dog’s water intake could make the dog’s urine more liquid. Your dog would likely drink more water if you added salt or other salty foods to his diet, but doing so puts his kidneys and heart at risk. Never make dietary changes for your pet without first fully discussing them with your veterinarian.
There are a few methods for avoiding brown spots on your lawn. When your dog urinates, you can chase after it with a watering can full of water and then hose off the area to wash away the nitrates. That will work, but it might make your neighbors talk about something fun!
Better yet, teach your dog to go in a specific area, such as one that has been mulched with rock or wood, or one with taller grasses or woods that aren’t mowed. Additionally, compared to Kentucky bluegrass, fescue grass is more resistant to high nitrogen concentrations.
When those brown spots do appear, particularly in the spring, they are very easy to remove. Just leave the area alone if it is no larger than the size of your fist; the nearby grass will grow back in a matter of weeks. Mix a few handfuls of seed into a bucket of soil for larger areas. Then, remove some of the dead, brown grass by scratching it up. You don’t have to get rid of it all. When the seeds begin to sprout, simply sprinkle some of your soil/seed mixture over the area and keep it moist.
Check out the science behind the advice before you start giving your pets dietary supplements on the advice of well-meaning television personalities or use any “unusual” materials in your garden or landscape. Understand what you’re using, why you’re using it, and any potential side effects that might not be immediately obvious. Sharing is Caring – Click Below to Share.
We connect people with the University of Wisconsin and work with them to transform lives and communities as we teach, learn, lead, and serve.
Understanding the science behind dog urine and soil pH is the first step to winning the battle against the dog urine damage to your lawn.
If dog urine is causing your lovely lawn to become an unsightly mess, you are not alone. One of the biggest hassles for dog owners is lawn care. Thankfully, you are not forced to decide between your best friend and a lovely yard. However, winning the war against those urine stains will require some effort, and it begins with realizing the issue.
Of course, the dog developed stones. She brought the dog to the vet, who gave her medication to increase the urine’s acidity. But later, because of the dog’s acidic urine, the dog developed stones. No matter what they did, the inflammation and stones kept coming back. By the way, if they have chronic inflammation, they are significantly more likely to develop stones.
Infections can be prevented in dogs who are susceptible to them with cranberry extract. In addition to preventing bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall, cranberries also slightly acidify urine. It’s also advantageous because it doesn’t have a strong reaction or make the urine overly acidic. However, if a dog’s urine had a high acidity level (a number lower than 6), I wouldn’t give him cranberries. 0); you don’t want to increase the urine’s acidity beyond that.
Antibiotics must be administered to the animal as soon as possible if they have an infection. This will lessen the likelihood that the dog will develop urinary tract scar tissue and assist in preventing the formation of struvite crystals. A dog with scar tissue is more prone to infections for two reasons. One is that if there is a lot of scar tissue, they may find it difficult to fully contract the bladder, which prevents it from emptying completely. Remaining urine in the bladder provides bacteria with the ideal environment for growth. Additionally, scar tissue leaves tiny crevices in which bacteria can flourish.
When it’s not an infection Many dogs exhibit infection-related symptoms, such as urinating infrequently but in tiny amounts and yelping or whining in pain, without actually being ill. Their urine tests negative for bacteria, blood, or pus. Animals with chronic irritation (without infection) typically have neutral to alkaline urine, in my experience. Increasing the acidity of the urine usually helps the problem. However, you don’t want to significantly increase the acidity if oxalate crystals are present. You shouldn’t go past the neutral point, but you can take it up to that point.
With the assistance of a veterinarian and the regular use of home pH testing kits, these modifications should be made. And be aware that some animals won’t respond no matter what you do, either with a more acidic pH or with more dilute urine; it’s just how their bodies function.
It is best to read the urine sample within 30 minutes of collection because, over time, certain elements (such as crystals, bacteria, and cells) may change its composition. Please deliver a urine sample you collect at home as soon as you can to your local veterinary clinic. At Animal Medical Center of Chicago, we constantly advise that a qualified employee collect your pet’s urine sample there so that it can be taken sterilely and immediately analyzed.
For a typical pet, the technician might only be able to see a small number of red blood cells and white blood cells (less than 0–5 per high-powered viewing site). Anything beyond these values needs further evaluation.
When something is so familiar to me, I sometimes assume others will also be familiar with it. Particularly, there are times when I fail to realize that my clients are not medical professionals and have no idea what I’m talking about when I discuss their pet’s urinalysis results with them. They might just be politely waiting for my final comment to explain what just happened. Like, ” This is great news. Your pet does not have a urinary tract infection. “Or, “Your cat may have diabetes mellitus based on the sugar we detected in its urine,” ”.
For the avoidance of doubt, never consent to a technician pressing on your pet’s bladder to obtain a urine sample. This is painful and potentially traumatic to the bladder.
A simple test called a urinalysis can provide information on your pet’s glucose regulation, liver function, and general urinary tract (kidneys and bladder) health. The veterinarians at Animal Medical Center of Chicago advise all pets eight years of age or older to have a yearly urinalysis as a preventative healthcare measure. A urinalysis is recommended if your pet has increased water consumption, increased frequency of urination, pain when urinating, or visible blood in the urine.
FAQ
Should a dogs urine be acidic or alkaline?
The urine pH is typically in the 6 range in healthy animals. 5 to 7. 0 range. If the pH is too acidic (below 6) or too alkaline (above 7), bacteria might flourish and crystals or stones might form. If the pH of your pet’s urine is lower than 6 though, do not panic. 5.
Why is my dog’s urine alkaline?
Urinary tract infections caused by bacteria that produce urease, which turns urea into ammonia, can lead to an increase in urine pH (alkaline urine). whether the patient has been fasted. Acidic urine results from diets high in animal protein, which are typically consumed by dogs and cats.
Is dog urine acidic to plants?
According to samples, urine byproducts could cause grass to die and that urine is toxic to leaf tissue “The acid and salt released can burn grass and plants with fertilizer, bleaching them brown.”
Is dog pee acidic to grass?
Grass prefers to grow in an acidic pH range of 5 to 8. 5 and 7. The pH of an average dog’s urine is between 5. 5 and 7. So no problem there.