All this playtime can wear down the appearance of your lawn. Even if you don’t have a rambunctious pup, your dog’s daily bathroom breaks can turn your green grass into a sad yellow color. The type of grass you choose for your yard can have a big impact on its appearance and ability to withstand the wear and tear that comes with owning a dog. With some forethought, your lawn can stay lush and green despite your pup’s sometimes harsh treatment. Here are 6 of the best grasses for dogs. Do you have a large dog? Fescue may be the perfect fit. This grass variety is very absorbent and can handle a large dog’s urine with ease. Many varieties of fescue are very easy to care for, do not require a lot of attention or nutrients to thrive, and can tolerate shade and drought. For an easy, durable grass option, fescue makes a great choice. • USDA Growing Zones: 4-7 • Sun Exposure: Shade to sun • Soil Needs: Neutral, well-draining This popular, fast-growing, fast healing, thick grass is up to the challenge of your dog’s racing paws. It grows well in most climates and does very well in colder areas. Besides its ability to heal from roughhousing or your pup’s potty breaks, it also makes a very attractive looking lawn with its unique blue-hued blades of grass. • USDA Growing Zones: 2-6 • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Needs: Slightly acidic to neutral, rich • USDA Growing Zones: 3-7 • Sun Exposure: Sun to partial shade • Soil Needs: Slightly acidic to neutral, moist, rich Once established, it is very durable and creates a soft, thick lawn that will withstand your pup’s playtime. It does take two to four years to be fully established, but it will reward you with a rich lawn that you and your pup will enjoy. • USDA Growing Zones: 5-11 • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Needs: Slightly acidic to neutral, loamy • USDA Growing Zones: 7-10 • Sun Exposure: Full sun • Soil Needs: Slightly acidic to neutral, rich Centipede grass does well in hot weather but needs plenty of water to survive. If you are in the U.S., this makes planting this grass in the Southeast your best option. Otherwise, it may not thrive without diligent watering. With these higher watering requirements, your dog’s urine will be diluted and less likely to turn your green grass an unsightly yellow. • USDA Growing Zones: 7-10 • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Needs: Acidic, well-draining, sandy On top of choosing a hardy grass variety, there are a few things you can do that will help avoid some wear and tear problems altogether. When it comes to bathroom breaks, picking up your dog’s excrement right away will keep it from damaging the grass underneath. With urine, try hosing down the spots where your dog frequently goes regularly. This will dilute the urine and make it less likely to turn your grass yellow. By combining these easy tips with a dog-friendly grass variety, your lawn is sure to look its best, even with your pup prancing across it.
