One of the best ways to keep your home and dog healthy is to use lime to get rid of the smell of dog urine. Dogs really are man’s best friend, but they can be a pain when they have to go to the bathroom. On some days they warm your heart and make you laugh. On other days, they leave behind a huge mess for you to clean up.
One of those messes is an uncomfortable urine smell. An awful urine smell in your backyard can take away all the fun of enjoying warm weather outside. It can also be very annoying and unpleasant to your neighbors.
The good news is that getting rid of the smell of dog urine outside and in your yard is pretty easy.
Read our DIY Step by Step Guide on How to Neutralize Dog Urine Smell Outside for best results.
For starters, you can use our homemade yard odor eliminator. It is designed to remove dog urine smell and is formulated for outdoor use. Plus, you can use it around pets without worrying because it doesn’t have any chemicals or toxins in it. It is also safe to use on outdoor furniture, rocks, cement, plants, shrubbery, and grass.
As a dog owner, you love letting your furry friend run and play in your yard. But those nitrogen-rich urine spots left behind can quickly damage grass and leave unsightly yellow or brown patches in the lawn. This common problem has led some to recommend using garden lime to neutralize dog urine spots. But does applying lime to dog pee stains actually help repair and prevent damage?
In this article. we’ll explore the facts about using lime for dog urine spots including
- Why dog urine damages grass
- Will lime neutralize urine or raise pH?
- Potential risks and downsides to lime
- More effective remedies to treat dog pee spots
- Prevention tips to avoid urine damage
Understanding How Dog Urine Harms Grass
To understand why lime won’t fix the issue, we first need to look at the causes of dog urine damage in lawns:
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Nitrogen – Dog urine is high in nitrogen. Too much nitrogen disrupts nutrient balances causing burn spots.
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Salts – Salts and compounds like sodium chloride accumulate and desiccate soil, dehydrating grass roots.
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Acidity – While not excessively acidic, the pH of dog urine can be imbalanced compared to lawn soil.
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Saturation – Concentrated liquids overwhelm grass’ shallow roots and block air exchange.
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Repeated use – Areas become dead zones as salts accumulate over time with repeated urination.
So while acidity plays a minor role, nitrogen salts and saturation are the primary causes of dog urine damage.
Why Applying Garden Lime Doesn’t Correct Urine Spots
With this understanding, it becomes clear why garden lime is not an effective remedy for dog spots:
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pH neutralization – Lime raises pH, but urine spots are not caused by extreme acidity. The pH change does not resolve damage.
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Salt neutralization – Lime does not neutralize or remove damaging nitrogen salts. Salts persist, continuing to degrade soil structure.
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Nutrient imbalance – Extra calcium from lime can further alter nutrient ratios, potentially worsening fertilizer needs.
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Damage prevention – Lime does not waterproof or protect grass from urine. Damage can continue unabated even with lime applications.
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Masking – Lime green pigments can temporarily mask urine spots without fixing underlying issues. Problems will resurface once pigments fade.
Unfortunately, the science shows lime does not treat the causes of urine spot damage. At best, it briefly hides the symptoms.
Potential Risks of Using Lime for Dog Urine Spots
Beyond ineffectiveness, misapplying lime carries some potential downsides:
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Over-liming can spike soil pH to unhealthy levels for grass. This damages roots and disrupts nutrient availability.
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Excessive lime applications year after year increase sodium levels. Sodium bicarbonate is a component in lime.
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Lime can react with dog urine to create mild caustic chemical burns on grass. This worsens marking behavior.
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Lime piles left out for dogs to walk through can irritate paws, eyes and skin. Ingesting large amounts can harm dogs.
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Lime spreading without addressing urine causes salts to remain concentrated, accumulating damage.
These factors show haphazard lime treatments are not a viable solution for dog urine problems. Targeted, well-researched remedies yield better results without risks.
More Effective Remedies to Repair and Prevent Dog Urine Spots
While lime proves ineffective for urine damage, proven options exist to salvage dead spots and prevent recurrence:
1. Flush spots immediately with water
Flooding each urine spot flushes salts down through soil before they can burn grass. This minimizes damage and promotes quick regrowth.
2. Re-balance soil nutrients
Fertilize with nitrogen-low, potassium-rich formulas designed to counteract urine salts and nutrient disruption. This supports lush, healthy turf.
3. Alter watering practices
Improve irrigation coverage so urine doesn’t puddle, saturating roots. Let soil partially dry between watering to strengthen grass.
4. Replant damaged patches
Remove dead grass and resod or reseed affected areas to restore beauty and uniformity. Use urine-resistant grass species or mixes.
5. Try organic conditioners
Compost, gypsum, activated charcoal or aeration compounds help absorb salts, improve drainage and nourish soil microbes to aid recovery.
6. Block access
Use landscape barriers like boulders or pavers to restrict dogs from repeatedly accessing favorite potty areas, giving turf a chance to rebound.
7. Train dogs away from spots
Reward going in acceptable dog toilet areas. Gently correct unwanted marking where it damages turf. Persistence pays off.
Preventive Measures to Avoid Lawn Damage by Dog Urine
Better still, proactive steps can minimize urine spot issues from developing in the first place:
Pick a urine-resistant grass type
Choose turfgrass breeds naturally tolerant of dog urine such as tall fescue, perennial ryegrass or certain fine fescues. Avoid sensitive types like Kentucky bluegrass.
Provide a dog toilet area
Designate a mulched or gravel dog potty region in your yard. Take dogs promptly to this designated area to “go” then reward. This limits random urination in the open lawn.
Apply dog repellents
Natural organic sprays using essential oils of white vinegar, garlic or citrus can deter dogs from urinating in treated areas helping protect landscape beds and lawns. Reapply after rain.
Fence problem areas
Block off zones that get frequent urine damage using decorative fencing or plantings. This prevents access until grass regenerates. Rotate access as needed.
Water early
Watering early allows grass leaves to dry before nighttime dog visits, reducing appeal for marking. Avoid overwatering.
Walk regularly
Take dogs on frequent walks so they fully relieve themselves elsewhere. Well-exercised dogs urinate less when out playing in the yard.
With some persistence training dogs, thoughtful lawn care and creating designated facilities, you can successfully minimize urine damage without resorting to ineffective lime treatments. Get your yard in tip-top shape for carefree play!
Summary – Lime is Not the Solution for Dog Urine Damage
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Dog urine causes grass damage through high nitrogen, salt accumulation and saturation of soil. Acidity is only a minor factor.
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Applying garden lime fails to correct urine damage and carries some risks like raising soil pH excessively high.
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More effective remedies involve flushing spots promptly, soil remediation, replanting patches and training dogs.
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Preventive measures such as choosing resistant grasses, designating toilet areas and repellents avoid problems proactively.
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While lime can temporarily mask urine spots through green pigments, it does not treat the underlying causes or prevent recurrence. Proper lawn care practices yield better results protecting your turf.
Rather than wasting time and money on lime applications, implement targeted training paired with lawn care best practices. Your healthy, lush lawn and happy dogs will thank you! Persistence pays off over time, allowing your yard to be safely enjoyed by pets and people alike.
Enzyme Cleaner Or Odor Eliminator, Which Is Best?
Enzyme cleaners help reduce dog urine smell and other organic odors outside and on grass. They generally work on grass, concrete patios, deck or sidewalk. All of this and more can be done with our home-made yard smell remover, which costs a lot less than enzyme cleaners.
When you use our homemade yard odor remover instead of enzyme cleaners, you don’t have to worry about having to do it again because the enzymes didn’t get where you wanted them to. Our odor eliminator also has a longer shelf life than most enzyme cleaners. So it’s safe to say you’ll be getting more with less!.
Read our Step by Step Guide on How to Neutralize Dog Urine Smell Outside for best results. After working in the odor removal business for more than 12 years, I came up with this formula that just plain works! It only needs 4 simple ingredients and can be used to make a great, cheap yard odor remover.
Does Lime Neutralize Dog Urine?
Yes, Lime does neutralize dog urine. To get rid of the smell of dog urine after your dog has peed outside, lime is a great idea. It not only gets rid of the smell, but it also brings the pH level of the soil back to a level that is better for grass growth.