Is Dog Poop Good For a Lawn?
Hello and welcome to my very exciting discussion on those wonderful little presents that our dog leaves all over our lawn. I have a world of experience in this subject having mowed lawns commercially for over thirty years and having owned large dogs for the last twenty years or so.
I have often heard dog owners say that dog poop is a little gem of goodness which can benefit a lawn. Could this be true?
In this article, we will look at what dog poop really does and if it is good or bad for your lawn. I also talk about some of the things we can do to fix any issues and get that lawn looking good. So, let’s dive in.
Key Takeaways:
- A lot of dog owners wonder if there could be a better way of dealing with dog poop
- It is a common belief that dog poop is good for a lawn
- However, dog waste can contain harmful germs and bacteria that can be harmful to humans and other animals.
- Dog poop is in no way good for your lawn and may in fact kill your grass.
- If you have a dog and want a nice lawn then you will need to have a plan to stop the waste from killing parts of your lawn.
Understanding the Composition of Dog Poop
One of the main reasons that a lot of people think that dog poo is good for a lawn is because it contains a lot of nitrogen which is a common ingredient in a lot of fertilisers. In fact, lawns thrive on nitrogen-rich food.
However, it is not the amount of nitrogen that is the issue, it is the harmful germs and bacteria which can spread diseases like E. coli to humans and animals. So while nitrogen is good for grass fecal matter is not.
This means that if you tend to leave dog waste on the lawn, not only is it harmful to grass, but it could make you sick too. Hookworms & roundworms can be present and this can present a danger if children play on the lawn.
Just a side note. If you think that the odds of getting something like that are small, so did my daughter, right up to the moment her cat caught ringworm last week. Better safe than sorry.
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What about dog urine?
Now we all know that dog urine will leave unsightly big brown spots on your lawn. Have you ever wondered why that is?
It is because their urine is acidic which can burn grass. This can be even worse if the dog often urinates in the same spot and then you have a patch of dead grass you need to fix. I have heard people say that female dog pee does not leave spots in your grass but unfortunately, that is not correct. Both male and female dogs do damage. I have noticed however that my male dogs are more likely to pee in one spot more often so maybe that’s the reason.
Scooping Dog Poop Is Good For Grass
Keeping your lawn clean by picking up dog faeces is the first and most important step in maintaining a nice lawn. There is nothing worse than noticing dog poo on your shoe when you are heading inside the house.
One of the easiest ways is to have someone do poop pick-up duty on a regular basis. Having a poop scoop and a place to dispose of the waste is the first step. Dont throw the waste straight into your compost bin as that can cause issues. You would be better at breaking it down somewhere else first or by using a dedicated pet waste digester.
Some people use plastic bags to pick up their dog poo around the garden but I am not a great fan of that. I will use compostable poo bags at dog parks or on walks but not at home. I know it’s biodegradable plastic but I don’t want to use it useless I really have to.
Smart Solutions for Dealing with Dog Poop on Your Lawn
Now that we have established that dog poo can make your lawn look patchy and horrible. Let’s talk about the ways you can go about managing it. We have already discussed picking it up using a scooper and here are some other ideas that could make your life easier and your lawn a bit nicer.
If you manage to train your do to go to one place then you might want to consider getting them a special artificial grass spot where they can go.
Train Your Dog to Use One Area.
This is a great idea if you can do it and some breeds will pick this up quicker than others. However, it is one of those things that is easier said than done. My Greman Shepard doesn’t listen to me at all when I try to discuss that with him. Still, if you want to give this a go, this is a good YouTube video on how to do that.
Dilute the Urine
If you want to get really hands-on you could dilute the nitrogen in the urine by spraying it with water as soon as possible. This is not always possible so another way would be to head out once a day and treat any areas that are turning brown with a lawn spot repair treatment.
The other option is Dog Rocks which you place in their drinking water. I have not tried this myself.
Get Grass That is More Resistant to Waste.
You would need to own the house to do this, but there are some grasses that are more dog-proof than others. These could be grasses like the following.
- Bermuda Grass
- Zoysia Greaa
- Ryegrass
You can find out a bit more about lawn care and the best grass for your area by visiting Lawnlove
If your dog is putting ruts in your lawn then you can find out how to fix ruts here.
The Conclusion:
So now that we know that dog poop is NOT good for that lawn and we know how to manage it we should be on the road to having a healthy lawn and a happy dog.
By scooping the poop on the lawn regularly and having a designated dump spot, you can make your lawn a safe place your the kids and the dog to play.
I think that I can safely speak for all dog owners when I say that I love my dog and I wouldn’t trade him in for the world. Keeping the yard poo free and my dog happy and well-walked is all part of being a reasonable dog dad.
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FAQ
1. How can I prevent my dog from damaging the grass in my yard?
Try to pick up your dog’s poop immediately. Dog poop will damage your lawn. Train your dog to potty in a cretin area. (if you can) To help the lawn stay healthy consider using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer on the lawn on a regular basis.
2. Is it true that dog poop can be used as fertilizer for the rest of the lawn?
It is true that dog poop is rich in nitrogen, however, it is definitely not a fertilizer in any way shape or form. Dog poop sometimes has germs and parasites that can be a health risk. Set a regular time to pick up your dog’s poop and dispose of it regularly
3. Can dog urine cause lawn damage as well?
Yes, dog urine will cause lawn damage. It is because of the high concentration of nitrogen, which will burn the grass leaving horrible yellow patches. Ways to manage this is to train your dog to pee in one area. You can dilute the urine with water immediately but this is not a good long-term solution unless you have a small house dog that you take outside of pee breaks.
4. How does pet waste affect the environment?
The biggest issue is when dog poop gets into the stormwater as it may contain faecal coliform bacteria, which can lead to sickness and disease. Read more in this study from the University of Sydney. Be careful how you remove dog poop and remember that they could be parasites present.
5. How much pet waste is generated in the USA each year?
In a study done by the Environmental Protection Agency, they calculated that around 10 million tons of waste are generated in the United States each year. That is a lot of poo :-)
6. Can I use cow manure as fertilizer?
Yes. Cow manure is a fantastic natural fertilizer . It contains plenty of goodness that your lawn will love. However, I would recommend mixing it well with compost as it can burn if applied directly.
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