PET CARE INFO
Dog vs. Lawn - courtesy of Dr. Lisa McIntyre, DVM
Dog vs. Lawn: Keeping Your Yard Peaceful, Not in Pieces
Dr. Lisa McIntyre
Many pet owners are frustrated when, despite countless hours of fertilizing, weeding, and seeding, their lawn is riddled with brown spots, holes, and severely pruned plants. Unfortunately, many dogs cause destruction just by doing what comes naturally.
Here are some of the most common problems dog owners face and some simple solutions to save your yard:
Digging : It’s a fact; dogs like to dig. Especially if you own a terrier, your lawn may look like a minefield. Use bricks or chicken-wire (with the edges well buried) and cover the spot with dirt. After scraping their nails a few times, dogs will decide this isn’t a fun activity. Mulch beds with pinecones, an unfavorable substrate for dogs to walk upon. Better yet, enforce their natural behavior by designating a sand-pile or corner of the yard as an appropriate dig site. Bury food treats and toys and lavish the praise when they dig in their special spot.
Plant Chewing: Some dogs chew leaves and grass to relieve nausea, so it’s always best to rule out a medical problem with the vet. Planting thorny bushes such as barberry and holly will discourage chewing. Motion-activated sprinklers will trigger a spray when a dog or wild animal comes near a flower bed. One to try is the Scarecrow by ConTech. Other canines are deterred by Liquid Fence, a product sprayed on plant leaves that imparts a bitter flavor. Repeated applications may be necessary to “remind” pets the plant still tastes bad.
Lawn Burning: Both volume and concentration of pet urine contribute to lawn burn-out. Urine contains high levels of nitrogen, a by-product of protein metabolism. The solution to this problem is dilution! Watering within 8 hours of elimination dilutes the nitrogen in waste products. Promoting consumption of clean, fresh water also ensures urine won’t be as concentrated. Re-training your dog to eliminate on mulch or pea-gravel will also stop lawn burn. Fescue and rye grass are species that are more resistant to burn than bluegrass or Bermuda grass. There is no proven benefit to adding pH modifiers or nutritional supplements to your pet’s diet. In fact, by changing your dog’s body chemistry, you may inadvertently cause medical problems such as the development of bladder stones.
For more suggestions, give The Welcome Waggin' Mobile Veterinary Service a call at 630-699-3113. Man’s best friend doesn’t have to be a gardener’s worst enemy!
