This sweet angel is leaving a lot of lawn destruction in its path. Time to train her to tinkle elsewhere and prevent dog pee spots from killing your grass! (Photo: Getty)(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Is your lawn a landmine of crunchy yellow circles? Unfortunately, lawn damage can be one of the drawbacks of having a pet (but the rewards more than make up for it, we say!). Dog pee spots look a lot like grass burned by scorching temperatures and can even resemble a few different types of lawn disease. So make sure to rule out those culprits before taking Fido to task. If you're sure it's number one doing a number on your grass, there are a few things you can do to fix the damage. There are also steps you can take to prevent pet urine from taking a toll on your landscape in the first place.
If you can manage to catch your cutie in the act, it's possible to mitigate the damage of dog pee before it truly takes hold. Your dog's pee is made up of ammonia, a harsh chemical on its own, but it's also rich in nitrogen thanks to your dog's carnivorous diet. So it's not just ammonia frying the grass, it's also an overdose on nitrogen, which is a death sentence for plants. And if you have a female dog, chances are she's giving the lawn an even more concentrated soaking.
Your best defense? Soak back! If possible, tackle the area where your dog just tinkled by spraying a stream of heavy, direct water from your garden hose. This is a job too intense for the average lawn sprinkler, because you really need to get in there, within 12 hours of the act, and drench the spot.
It might not be too late to save that swath of peed-on grass! After hosing down the area thoroughly, spray a urine neutralizer on the area to prevent any leftover chemicals from eating away at your lawn.
Car floor looking a little crumb-y? Then it's this No. 1 bestselling car vacuum to the rescue! Weighing just 2.4 pounds, it's easy to maneuver around your ride, whether you use it to zap up pet hair from the seats, fast-food remnants on the floor or the dust blanketing your dashboard. It comes with three attachments for targeting different types of spaces and messes, and its 16-foot cord means you'll have no trouble reaching the trunk. This model even has a HEPA filter to help purify the air — and it's over 50% off.
You get so much with this kitchen system: A 72-ounce pitcher, 8-cup food processor and two 16-ounce single-serve cups you can take on the go. With a brand like Ninja, you know you're getting a quality product, so the fact that this 2-in-1 blender/food processor combo is just $100 is pretty astounding. At 50% off, it's the lowest price we've seen it for in years.
The bestselling Ninja AF101 air fryer does a little of everything — it crisps, roasts, reheats and dehydrates to help you whip up quick and easy meals. The fryer offers a generous four-quart capacity and looks nice perched on your countertop.
If the damage is done and can't be undone, it's time to dig it up and start over. A hand rake will come in handy for smaller spots; use it to fully remove the dead grass and expose the soil beneath. Then use a trowel to loosen the soil and get it ready for re-seeding.
Cover the area with top soil and peat moss, and consider adding a nitrogen-neutralizing fertilizer to double down. Then generously sprinkle grass seed over the area and water.
The final step is to prevent dog pee spots going forward. Fencing off your yard is one option. Training your dog to pee elsewhere, giving her more water so she's well-hydrated and her urine isn't concentrated, or choosing one designated spot for her to eliminate are a few smart strategies.
Amazon will give you free shipping on all these items. But if you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get so much more — from access to new movies to two-day shipping on many items. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here.
"I am impressed."
Gardening
A common question is when to stop mowing the lawn for winter. Cutting the grass during wintertime can make it brittle.
Gardening
These methods improve drainage and boost plant health.
Gardening
If you love indoor plants but you hate the fact that you don’t have a lot of large windows or spaces for light, you’re in luck. You just need to learn more about the best indoor plants for low light and then stock up on as many of those as you can. Many of us …
Gardening
Depending on your grass type, fall seeding lets grass root deeper before summer's stresses.
GardeningFall-blooming flowers come in rich colors that extend the gardening season. Learn tips for choosing and growing the best fall-blooming perennials.
Gardening
Follow this guide to learn when and how to prune citrus trees to promote the best fruit quality and neatest tree appearance.
GardeningHere are the basics about watering mums, including tips about when, how, and how much to water both florist and hardy garden mums.
GardeningFrom planting your first seedlings to ripening fruit
Gardening
Achieving success with tomatoes always starts with the soil.
Gardening
Plan your garden the smart way with these online planners.
GardeningThis DIY hack saves you both money and effort.
Gardening
Looking to light up late summer and fall with show-stopping color? Dahlias deliver. With forms ranging from precise pompons to giant dinner plates and shades from soft pastels to moody merlot, there’s a dahlia for every bed, border, and vase. This guide highlights 12 standout varieties—chosen for beauty, performance, and versatility—with notes on what they’re …
Gardening
These are the best choices for evergreen ground cover plants, matched to various sun and soil conditions, to enjoy foliage year-round.
Gardening
Summer-blooming perennials can outgrow their space or require replanting in a new spot due to light or water needs. Learn when and how to switch out summer perennials.
GardeningHauling away weeds, mulch, or concrete is so much easier with a durable wheelbarrow that’s easy to maneuver. These 5 models are our top picks.
GardeningTransform unsightly organic waste into a nutrient-rich soil additive with a compost bin and feed your garden for less.
GardeningCrabgrass can become a major problem in lawns and gardens without taking quick control. Try these effective products to get rid of crabgrass on your lawn.
GardeningThese bins transform veggie scraps and garden debris into rich compost that plants love.
Gardening
From succulents to petite trees, these houseplants are perfect for apartment living.
Gardening