Don’t you just love spending time in your yard with your dog in the warm Spring and Summer months? But before you grab the frisbees, balls, and tug toys, remember there’s one pesky yard problem that can put a damper on your outdoor fun: 

Brown spots or urine spots On your grass. 

Yup, the lawn doubles as a sweet hangout spot AND a potty for your pooch. 

If you find yourself with a graveyard of dead lawn spots, don’t let it be the bummer of your season. It’s perfectly normal to want the ideal hangout spot with your dog AND nicely maintained grass! 

Here are 5 ways to prevent or treat grass pee stains

1. Change up your dog’s eating & drinking habits.

First, let’s talk science! (Don’t worry, we’ll keep it simple.) 

Two things to remember: Too much nitrogen and too much alkalinity are bad news for your lawn. 

And guess what has a high nitrogen content? Your dog’s pee! Your dog’s urine is naturally acidic, but when it becomes alkaline, this also leads to brown spots or urine spots. So your mission is to dilute your dog’s urine and reduce its nitrogen content. 

How do you make changes to your dog’s diet and hydration habits?

• Give your dog fresh or canned food whenever possible.
• Avoid dry dog food containing many grains or carbs because it shifts the pH level of your dog’s urine.
• Avoid an excessively high-protein diet which leads to high nitrogen levels. 
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Less concentrated urine = less damage to the lawn. How do you know if your dog is well-hydrated? Check if the urine is clear. 

Lastly, consider using Dog Rocks. Add them to your dog’s water to help filter out impurities and lower the nitrogen levels of your dog’s pee.

2. Mark your dog’s territory.

Instead of letting your dog pee wherever they’d like, you can create a designated potty area for your pup to avoid brown spots and urine spots. 

• Choose an easy-to-access area where there’s less foot traffic 
• Opt for a spot that isn’t covered in grass, such as gravel, mulch, or a well-draining soil
• Try a Pee Post — a non-toxic, pheromone-infused outdoor potty training aid that lets your dog know where to urinate

Once your dog learns to use the same pee-friendly zone every time, be ready to reward or praise your furry friend for following the bathroom rules. And if dogs also poo in the same spot, that makes yard cleanup way easier!

3. Spray the nitrogen away.

While you’re still training your dog to go potty in a special spot, you may find your pooch “accidentally'' going potty outside his designated bathroom area. 

When this happens, keep calm and let your dog tinkle on. But make sure to immediately hose down where he peed. This helps reduce the concentration of nitrogen and the chances of brown spots or urine spots popping up on your lawn. 

4. Raise your grass.

Let it grow, and don’t mow it down to less than an inch. Higher grass is less likely to suffer from dog pee burns, as it can absorb and distribute the nitrogen better. 

(FYI: Nitrogen is actually a good lawn fertilizer in appropriate amounts.) 

Additionally, taller grass has more robust roots, which means it's more resilient and can take your dog’s pee in stride. Plus, shorter grass can’t quite hide those unsightly brown spots and urine spots. 

5. Ready, set, re-grow!

When all else fails, don’t let brown spots or urine spots get you down. You can always reclaim your lawn from dog pee damage by reseeding it. Wait for the optimal period to fill in the dead zones and improve the overall health of your yard. When it’s not yet the right time to reach for your gardening gloves and new grass seed, continue enjoying the sunny season with your pup. Why let dog urine spoil your summer fun?!

Luscious lawn AND the best summer season ever? You’re really raking in the wins as a pet owner. With these tips, you can protect your yard and keep it free of brown spots or urine spots — even though your well-trained dog has to answer nature’s call there sometimes. Say “goodbye” to grass pee stains and “hello” to a nice-looking lawn that you and your furry friend can enjoy all season long!