Pet Urine Damage: How to Restore Patchy Lawns in Chichester & Surrounding Areas

Why pet urine scorches grass

Dog urine contains high nitrogen and salts. In small doses nitrogen feeds grass; in concentrated spots it burns the blades and can kill the roots—especially in dry weather or on thin lawns.

Quick rescue steps (today)

1. Flood the spot within 12 hours (a watering can works) to dilute salts.
2. Rake out dead grass and loosen the top 1–2 cm of soil.
3. Apply a soil neutraliser/gypsum (optional) to buffer salts.
4. Topdress & overseed with a hardy rye/fescue mix; press seed to soil.
5. Water lightly, daily until germinated; keep feet and paws off.

Preventing new patches

• Create a ‘pee zone’ with bark, gravel or a sacrificial turf area.
• Hydration helps: well-watered dogs produce more diluted urine.
• Female dogs squat in one place—train to the same spot.
• Feed correctly: avoid over-fertilising (excess nitrogen + urine = burn).
• Keep grass longer in summer (6–8 cm) to reduce stress.

When to call a pro

If patches keep returning, you may have thin, compacted soil. A local treatment plan—aeration, overseeding, balanced feeding—thickens turf so it withstands the occasional mishap.

Serving: Chichester • Emsworth • Arundel • Bognor Regis • Littlehampton