A client wanted to know if there are any plants that would survive her larger male dog’s urinary bathroom breaks. Plus those of neighboring dogs wandering past.
RECOMMENDATION
As it turns out, increased nitrogen and salts are the primary issue with dog urine, both on plants and on lawns [1, 2, 6]. The damage is similar to using an excess of fertilizer (particularly liquid fertilizer) all in one spot. The dog urine is primary water and urea, a form of nitrogen [2, 6]. The urine also dehydrates the plant’s cells, which can kill tissue. As a result, dilution can help, if you get there soon enough. Unfortunately, that is not always possible. Looking for plants that are tolerant to high salt levels is one approach [2].
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Finding plants that are tolerant to dog urine and that fit a landscape design can be a challenge. Looking at salt tolerant plants, such as those recommended for planting near the coast, may offer some possibilities, assuming those plants are adequately adapted to your area [3]. Sweet fern is one of many examples of plants that may be more tolerant [7]. There are suggestions that plants with thicker leaves (such as Osmanthus or Euonymus) may be less susceptible to the damage, and Nandina certainly can recover quickly even if some damage is caused [4]. Consider plants that are heavy consumers of nitrogen, like roses [5]. Even considering plants resistant to road de-icing salt can identify possible resistant plants for a home landscape [8]. It is not recommended to try and adjust the pH of the dog’s urine by feeding the animal different foods, since that really won’t help the problem and could be harmful to your pet [6].
RESOURCE LINKS
[1]https://ask.extension.org/questions/209204
[2]https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=8212
[3]https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-031/430-031.html
[5]https://www.hunker.com/13406544/what-plants-can-withstand-dog-urine
[6]https://polk.extension.wisc.edu/horticulture/seasonal-concepts/lawns-and-dogs-but-not-tomato-juice/
[7]https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/sweet-fern
All resource links live and accessed March 4, 2020
From The Bedford Extension MG Help Desk – April 2020
Betsy Brown, Bedford Extension Master Gardener; Help Desk Coordinator