I Love My Dog, But... I Love My Lawn More
Pets, kids and backyard footy are all part of life outdoors, but they can be tough on your lawn. Dog urine can leave yellow patches, while running, playing and repeated foot traffic can wear grass down to bare soil.
The good news is that most patches can be repaired. The key is working out what caused the damage, then choosing the right solution.
Why does your lawn look patchy?
Pet urine
Dog urine contains concentrated salts that can damage grass and leave yellow or brown patches. The surrounding grass may sometimes appear darker green due to the nutrients in the urine.
For a quick, targeted treatment, use Scotts® Lawn Builder™ Pet Patch . It masks yellow discolouration with a natural-looking green turf pigment while helping flush and disperse urine salts away from the lawn’s root zone.
Kids, pets and backyard play
Running feet and paws can compact the soil and wear grass away, particularly around gates, clotheslines, play equipment and frequently used paths.
Harsh weather
Hot, dry conditions can thin a lawn if it does not receive enough water. Cold weather and frost may also slow growth, making it harder for damaged grass to recover.
Weeds
Removing established weeds can expose bare areas where they had crowded out the grass. These patches may need to be repaired before new weeds move in.
How to treat yellow patches caused by pet urine
If the grass is yellow but still present, apply Scotts® Lawn Builder™ Pet Patch directly to the affected patch.
Shake the bottle well, spray until the patch is fully covered and allow it to dry for four hours. After four hours, water the treated area well. For best results, apply in the morning, avoid temperatures above 30°C and do not apply when rain is expected.
People and pets can return to the treated area once the spray has dried. Avoid overspray onto concrete, masonry, decks or other surfaces where colour is not wanted.
How to repair bare or badly worn patches
If the grass has died or the soil is exposed, the area will need reseeding rather than colour correction.
- Rake away dead grass and loose material.
- Gently loosen the soil surface with a garden fork or rake.
- Apply Scotts 3.6L Patch and Repair according to the pack directions.
- Water thoroughly and keep the area consistently moist while the new grass establishes.
- Keep pets and people off the repaired area where possible.
This 3-in-1 patching blend combines grass seed, starter fertiliser and expanding mulch, making it an easy option for repairing worn and bare spots.
Repairing patches with lawn seed
For a more hands-on repair, spread Scotts Lawn Builder Top Dress 25L over the prepared soil, then apply a lawn seed suited to your existing grass and local growing conditions.
For busy areas used by children and pets, Scotts Seed & Feed Tough is designed to establish a resilient lawn that stands up to wear and tear.
Lightly rake the seed into the surface, water gently and keep the soil moist while it germinates. Always follow the application and watering directions on the pack.
How to prevent thinning and bare patches
Mow wisely
Avoid scalping your lawn. As a general guide, remove no more than one-third of the grass height in a single mow.
Water deeply
Water thoroughly when your lawn needs it rather than applying frequent, shallow sprinkles. Adjust your watering to suit rainfall, temperature, soil and lawn type.
Move backyard activities around
Rotate goals, play equipment and other activities to give heavily used areas time to recover. In consistently busy areas, consider stepping stones or a defined pathway.
Respond to pet patches early
Check your dog’s regular toilet area and treat new yellow patches promptly with Scotts® Lawn Builder™ Pet Patch. Reapply as required until the affected grass has recovered, following the pack directions.
What if the whole lawn looks thin?
If thinning is widespread rather than limited to a few patches, mow the lawn and rake away loose material before overseeding with a product suitable for your lawn.
Scotts Lawn Builder™ Lawn Thickener Lawn Seed can be used to overseed and thicken established lawns, including buffalo lawns. It does not contain buffalo seed, but provides a seed blend suitable for growing through an existing buffalo lawn.
Water with a gentle spray and keep the surface evenly moist for the first three weeks. Avoid mowing until the new grass is established, then remove no more than one-third of its height at a time.
Give your lawn time to recover
New grass takes time to establish, so keep repaired areas moist and minimise foot traffic while they recover. With a little patience and consistent care, your lawn can get back to handling pets, kids and everything else the backyard throws at it.
