Dogs love the outdoors, and while that adds a delightful element to your life, it can also mean extra maintenance when it comes to your green spaces. However, you don’t need to compromise on having a vibrant yard just because you have a tail-wagging, wet-nosed friend running around. With these valuable lawn care tips for dog owners, you can learn how to be a responsible pet owner and a homeowner with a lush lawn all at the same time.
Consider Pet-Friendly Grass Varieties
From romping about and rolling around in the grass to kicking up dirt to cover waste, your happy-go-lucky companion sees your lawn as fair game for just about anything. Because of this, some grass varieties fare better under the wear and tear of playful paws and the not-so-occasional bathroom break.
Bermuda grass, for example, thrives in the sun and can recover rapidly from damage. Fescue and Zoysia are also durable and can maintain their luster even with heavy pet traffic. If you’re starting from scratch, consider seeding with a mix specifically formulated for pet areas.
Perform Regular Watering and Spot Treatments
Due to its high nitrogen content, dog urine can cause burn spots on the lawn. To mitigate this, water the area promptly after your furry friend goes potty to dilute the nitrogen levels. For existing spots, a quick fix involves removing the dead grass, loosening the soil, and applying a combination of water, grass seed, and a starter fertilizer to encourage regrowth. Regularly watering your lawn is also essential to maintaining its health and resilience.
Choose Pet-Safe Pest Control
One reason why your yard needs pest control is to protect it from critters that could harm your pet. However, chemical lawn applications can be toxic if ingested or can irritate the skin and paws upon contact. Choose pet-safe pest control methods like naturally derived sprays that are applied at specific intervals or nematodes that target problem insects without causing harm to your dog. Alternatively, you can consider hiring a professional lawn service that has the expertise and proper pet-safe products to keep your yard and pet happy.
Create a Designated Dog Area
If possible, designate a specific area of your yard for your dog to use as the bathroom. This can help minimize lawn damage and make cleanup easier. Encourage your dog to use this area through positive reinforcement training. Additionally, you could set up a play area with toys and obstacles to keep your pet entertained and focused away from more landscaped parts of your lawn.
Maintaining a dog-friendly and aesthetically pleasing yard is very achievable with these valuable lawn care tips for dog owners. With our help, you can create an outdoor space perfect for your pet’s needs. Whether you’re starting a new yard or rejuvenating an existing one, these tips will help foster a vibrant and safe environment for your family and furry friends.
