Urine turns grass brown

**halter91** · 05-05-2003, 10:57 AM

Being new at the whole dog owner thing, which I think I'm doing well so far, I have a few questions...

When Max urinates, the grass is brown and looks dead...is this usual??

And I've been feeding Max dry Science Diet(Puppy Formula) for breakfast and at dinner I feed him the same but add a can of Alpo? Any suggestions?? Is this good for Maximus??

What's is better Science Diet or Eukanuba????

Thanks for all you help, I'm soo glad I found this site.

Oh yeah and Max's Mange is getting a lot better, He had 2 Micban?? dips!!!

New Max pic attached!!!

**Nomilynn** · 05-05-2003, 01:05 PM

Hello!!

My dog Garth also ruins the grass. We asked our vet about it once and he said that some dogs just have more acid in their urine. My parents ended up removing all the grass from our (small) backyard and made it into a rock garden.. just easier that way. If your yard is larger, maybe you should create a rock area and teach him to piddle there? I don't know the answers to the other questions..

Max is a very cute pup!!

**Desert Arabian** · 05-05-2003, 03:17 PM

Everydog does that to the grass, as far as I know. They do make speical pills which you can give your dogs, to lower the acid...not turning the grass brown. I have seen these pills at every pet store I have been to.

**lovemyshiba** · 05-05-2003, 03:18 PM

Max is so adorable!!!!!
I have also heard of the grass turning brown from urine, but I believe there are a lot of products you can use to eliminate that. I don't know any names off hand, but if you look at dr fosters and smith online, I know they carry it, as does Petco, and many many pet stores. I haven't tried it, so I don't know how it works, but maybe someone here has.
I'm sure the food you are giving him is fine--does he always eat it?? One thing I always check for with my dogs is how the food comes out the other end (I know, gross)--if it's runny, they don't get that kind anymore, and we have a couple different ones we have no problems with. I feed them all dry food--I heard it was good for their teeth, and I also don't want any runny messes, that sometimes are associated with canned food (not always).
I think the food preference is up to you and Max--read your labels, and you will know what is best for him.
Great news about the mange!!!!!
Give him a hug and a kiss from me

**kai** · 05-05-2003, 09:18 PM

Max is a doll! As for the urine thing, Kai did the same thing. I'm thinking about getting something I've seen for it.

I don't feed Kai science diet but alot of vets here recommend it. I believe it's one of the better brands out there but I suggest looking into Innova. I've heard wonderful things about this food and I checked out the site, it looks very promising...it even lists its ingredients which I think are awesome healthy ingredients. I feed Kai Eukanuba but I'm Unhappy with it. I have a rule when it comes to foods for Kai. Any ingredients that I can't pronounce...he isn't getting it. I'm switching my Kai to barf soon and starting to make his own treats so I know what he's getting.

Here's the site for Innova just in case you wanna look it up. http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=home-tab

**wolfsoul** · 05-05-2003, 10:19 PM

Timber doesn't do that to the grass, but Leather does. I guess it's just for some dogs

**halter91** · 05-06-2003, 07:32 AM

thanks for all the help, one more quick question..how do you post a pic as your signature??? [email protected] e mail if you'd like.

**MaxandSpike'sMom** · 05-06-2003, 07:53 AM

MAX IS AN ADORABLE PUP! I also have a Max!

Spike and Max don't turn the grass brown but my other Golden, MacDuff, (RB) did. I tried the pills that is supposed to help but they didn't really work for us. However, My friend has a Rottie and a Chow/Mix and her grass was always brown but the pills helped her grass, so they might be worth a try! I just decided to give him a designated area to do his business and replanted the grass that was brown.

Can't help you with the food thingy...my dogs get mad when I buy them different treats! I guess after 15 years Max is set in hiis ways and he likes what he likes.

**lv4dogs** · 05-06-2003, 11:33 AM

Some dogs urine is just more acidy than others. Yes they do make products for this but I do not reccomend any that have to be ingested by the dog as it distrupts the acid levels & may cause health problems like UTI's, bladder infections, kidney infections, stones & crystals even cancers. They make products to be used directly on the lawn, I have tried a couple different brands but no luck. My favoite trick for this problem & safest is to just water that area down very well after he urinates.