Dog Urine Killing Grass

[golden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimM68 Ben was a male norwegeian elkhound, he died just a few months ago at 13. Gerry is a female sheltie, she is 9 years old now. For the first few years, we tried a lot of different dogfoods, some made the grass grow real tall, others killed it dead. Then Gerry was diagnosed with some sort of skin disease. The vet prescribed a steriod, recommended science diet food, and said the disease was incurable and would eventually kill her. She would break out in these "bumps" mostly around her eyes and ears, but also on her back and hips. It was very painful for her. We switched to the science diet "sensitive skin" formula. After a year or 2 the sores went away, as did her obvious pain. After five years or so, we forgot to renew the steriod, and found that she didn't break out. That was 3 years ago. She is still perfectly fine and healthy. She's still fed science diet sensitive skin formula. And just as an added bonus, my acre of kentucky blue grows smooth, green, and even. Obviously one person's experience does not "The bible" write, but when I asked the vet about it, he said it had to do with the PH and chemical content of the dog's urine.

Great news about Gerry, she is a real success story so consider yourself fortunate. I would expect your vet to recommend Science Diet as most vets receive a commission for selling the food. I've also heard many other success stories involving SD, as well as many horror stories. Unfortunately, that holds true for many brands. The main thing is that Gerry is doing well on her food and likely will continue to.

[Steve Larkin]

Gypsum, about 60 lb per 1000 SF several times a year (apply to the lawn not the dog), or a mix of lime and gypsum will help minimize the damage.

[Steve Larkin]

One other thing. Its not just the nitrogen and pH, its the estrogen (female hormone) which at low dose stimulates plants to grow, but when plants get overstimulated with it, they die. So if the females are spayed, there is less less estrogen, less grass damage.

[golden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Larkin One other thing. Its not just the nitrogen and pH, its the estrogen (female hormone) which at low dose stimulates plants to grow, but when plants get overstimulated with it, they die. So if the females are spayed, there is less less estrogen, less grass damage.

I think the CG owner wouldn't be too happy if I started to spread gypsum or lime on my site! He hasn't said anything about the grass dying and I don't think he will. I would just like to fix the problem if I can. Both my dogs are spayed.

[Stretch]

Well here goes my advise. Had dogs all my life; long time. Fact is females will kill the lawn and males do not. Dont know why. But think you cant change it.

BTW regarding cats........all yellow tiger striped cats are males and all calico cats are female. Dont know why that is either