Pet urine - Ask Extension
This winter was the first ever that I had to shovel a place for my dog to go outside. It is very clear where that was from the burnt grass that is th...
Knowledgebase
Pet urine #927941
Asked April 09, 2026, 4:02 PM EDT
This winter was the first ever that I had to shovel a place for my dog to go outside. It is very clear where that was from the burnt grass that is there this spring. What can be done to repair the grass isn’t this area?
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. Dilution is the solution for immediate prevention of 'dog spots' in cool season turf. But since, as I suspect in your case, the turf has turned brown (died) the 'spot' and an additional 11/2" around it will need to be dug out and reseeded. Perhaps you can train your pet to urinate over a bed of mulch on the side of the yard to prevent spotting the lawn. I am attaching links to articles on dog urine damage control and reseeding your lawn for you to open and read:
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/dog-urine-damage-on-lawns-causes-cures-and-prevention/
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AY/AY-327-W.pdf
https://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=988
https://turf.umn.edu/home-lawn-care-newsletter-april-2023
Establishing A New Lawn Using Seed (E2910)-MSU
Renovating A Lawn for Quality & sustainability-UMN
Renovation of Lawns-PSU
I hope this is helpful.
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/dog-urine-damage-on-lawns-causes-cures-and-prevention/
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AY/AY-327-W.pdf
https://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=988
https://turf.umn.edu/home-lawn-care-newsletter-april-2023
Establishing A New Lawn Using Seed (E2910)-MSU
Renovating A Lawn for Quality & sustainability-UMN
Renovation of Lawns-PSU
I hope this is helpful.
