Can Pets and Your Lawn be Friends?

When it comes to the turf in your yard, no one uses your lawn more than your pet. From chasing a ball to using it as a toilet, if you have a furry addition in your family your lawn may be exposed to a little more wear and tear than other homes.

But can your turf and your pet be friends? Definitely! To ensure that the friendship is mutually beneficial though, it is super important to look at turf that is suited to pets. We have therefore put together a few things to look out for when it comes to pet-friendly lawns, as well as a few common lawn issues caused by pets (and how to combat them). Give Rosemount Turf a call on (07) 5448 6398 if you need any more information.

What Traits Should you Look Out for in Pet-Friendly Lawn?

There are a few different aspects to consider when looking for a pet-friendly lawn variety. These include

• Tolerant to wear and tear.
• Low allergenic.
• High tolerance for heavy traffic.
• Self-repairing.
• Dense growth habit.

The most common choice for a pet friendly lawn is a tough, soft leaf buffalo grass, as it is suited perfectly to heavy traffic – pets included!

Common Lawn Problems with Pets

As much as we love our furry friends, they can wreak havoc on your yard. Below are a few common lawn issues caused by pets and some ways to fix them.

Wear and Tear

One of the most common problems pet owners face is lawn wear and tear from their pets, especially dogs. If you are finding that they are tracking through particular areas more than others, try and place an obstacle (e.g. a pot plant) in the way to allow the lawn area to recover. Further aeration may be needed for a little extra help when it comes to any compaction that may have resulted and, always remember that moist and/or shaded areas suffer the most, so pay a little more attention to them.

Tip: If wear and tear is a problem for your turf, consider a proper maintenance plan to combat this issue directly. Speak to a professional if you need some help!

Compaction

Any household that has a dog may have a lawn that suffers from compaction, and it is something that should be addressed on a regular basis. Compaction stops water, oxygen and nutrients from being able to make it to the turf roots, which results in poor lawn health. A way to combat this is aerating your lawn, as it ensures better oxygen and nutrient penetration and will also allow your lawn to root down deeper, making it more drought tolerant and resilient.

Digging

A super common issue when it comes to lawn is digging, which can be a sign that your dog may be bored. If this is the case, a few toys may work to decrease the habit.

Additionally, choosing a lawn that is self-repairing with a dense growth habit is generally best. And, if your lawn is newly laid, try and keep your pooch off the turf for as long as possible. New lawn is super vulnerable to damage, so keeping your pet off the grass can help establish positive growth.

Urine Burns

Urine burns can be a real pain and cause burnt patches in your lawn. If this is the case in your yard, we recommend trying Dog Rocks – these get placed into your dog’s water bowl and are designed to stop any further urine burns from appearing. The burnt patches that already exist usually take around 5 weeks or so to fix themselves, so be patient!

Safe Lawn Practices with Pets

If you do have pets, you always want to ensure you read the label of anything and everything you are going to put on your lawn and do some research before its application. A few other tips include:

• If you are using fertiliser or pesticides, always keep your pets inside and off the lawn for a while (ie. until the danger has passed).
• Again, always check the product safety recommendations on any product you use to ensure that no tragic accidents occur.
• Once you have spread fertiliser over your lawn, make sure you extensively water it, so it disappears into the lawn profile.
• If you are choosing to use herbicides, always wait until they are both dry and absorbed before letting your pets onto your lawn again.
• If your furry friend tends to eat fertiliser granules, it is best to either buy organic or liquid fertiliser as an alternative.

If you would like any further information regarding varying lawn types that are suitable for households with pets, give Rosemount Turf a call on (07) 5448 6398 and we can help.

Resources:

Lawn Solutions Australia: https://lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au/lawn-care/lawns-pets/pets-and-your-lawn/

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