As many homeowners know, a plush, green lawn can enhance the aesthetic value of your home, but if you own one or more four-legged friends, maintaining your lawn can be challenging! Whether you’ve just welcomed your canine companion or have had a dog in the family for years, having a pet around can completely transform your home—and lawn. From the damage caused by your pooch having fun in the yard to the nitrogen and salts in their urine, it can be a lot to deal with. However, a combination of preventive methods and proper maintenance can keep your yard intact.

Here are some tips from the lawn care experts at Fairway Lawns to help protect your yard and keep your grass healthy so you and your dogs can enjoy it!

Soak Urine Spots with Water ASAP

The nitrogen and salts in dog urine can burn your lawn, resulting in yellow-to-brown, green-bordered dead patches or small areas with dark, tall, vigorous growth. To prevent dog urine from damaging your lawn, try walking your pup on a leash when it’s potty time or be sure to watch your pets while they’re on the lawn to keep an eye on where they go; then use a watering can or garden hose to flood the urine.

Flushing the soiled areas with water washes away harmful nitrogen and salts from the grass. But less is NOT more here—you’re going to need to soak the spot with water to fully dilute the nitrogen and salts. 

Some dog foods contain more water or trigger dogs to drink more water, resulting in diluted urine that does less lawn damage. Your veterinarian can make recommendations regarding safe and effective dietary changes.

Plant Pet-Tolerant Grass

If possible, search for a grass with a deeper root that will hold better in high-traffic pet areas. Grasses like Bermuda have a quicker recovery rate and are ideal for yards with pets because they can bounce back more quickly from damage spots. However, being tolerant of pet damage does not make them immune! To ensure you are planting the right type of grass for your lawn, contact the knowledgeable lawn care experts at Fairway Lawns!

Aerate Your Lawn

Aeration is the process of creating the opportunity for better circulation in your lawn and it is a great way to maintain a healthy yard with dogs. It provides better drainage, better penetration of water, and better air infiltration in the soil. This is especially important for yards with active pets. When your dog regularly runs back and forth on your lawn, the soil becomes compact, preventing the grassroots from receiving the nutrients it needs. At Fairway Lawns, our liquid aeration with Sup-R-Soil helps create a better environment for your lawn’s root system. Learn more about our liquid aeration services here.

Fertilize Your Lawn

Having your lawn fertilized properly is important, especially when you have dogs. The right type and amount of fertilizer at the right time of year can promote healthy growth and improve damaged spots. We at Fairway Lawns provide professional lawn treatment services where we implement the perfect balance of fertilizer applications. After we’re done, just ensure your lawn is dry before you let your dog out! Learn more about our lawn treatment services.

Create a Designated Pet Area

A great way to protect your lawn is by building an area solely for your pet, such as:

• A potty area – If you notice your furry friend frequently takes care of business in the same spot, consider building a designated potty area there. This could be a simple, squared-off area of your yard filled with mulch, pine needles, bark, etc. Then consistently take your pooch to this area when it’s potty time and lavishly reward and praise them when they do their business so they learn that’s where they should be going potty.
• A pet-friendly sandbox – Many dogs like to dig, which can easily become a big problem for your yard. Creating a “sandbox” gives your pet an area where they can dig to their heart’s content! Similar to the potty area, you’ll need to work with your dog so they learn to only use that area for digging. Not only will your pet love it, so will your lawn!
• A dog run – If your pup is full of energy, building a dog run can be a great way to allow them to burn off that energy while also keeping your yard safe. Fence off an area of your yard where your dog can run and play without threatening the health of your lawn. Consider using pet-friendly grass or turf grass to better withstand all of the activity.

Hire a Professional Lawn Care Service

We at Fairway Lawns are pet-lovers and want to help make your yard as pet-friendly as possible while looking its best! From aeration to fertilization and more, we can help maintain your lawn and keep it healthy and protected against potential pet damage. Contact the lawn care pros at Fairway Lawns today to discuss how we can help you!