If you have a dog who loves nothing more than running around your garden, then you might have also noticed that the grass on your lawn isn't always in the best shape. You may have patches of your lawn that have died, which can look unsightly against the rest of your luscious greenery.
And according to one dog expert, it could be your pooch that's ruining your lawn, just by going to the toilet.
Canine guru Dr Sean McCormack explained that dogs have high concentrations of nitrates in their urine, which means they essentially "burn the grass" in your garden every time they step out to pee.
But thankfully, there is an easy hack you can use to stop your grass from dying so quickly - and it's practically free to use.
Dr McCormack said: "Dogs' urine is highly concentrated with nitrates, which is why it can be so damaging to your lawn, as it essentially burns the grass."
Newly issued advice tells dog owners to pour a jug of water over the area in which their dog urinated, as this will dilute the strength of the nitrates, which should help save your grass.
People looking to re-turf their grass are also being told to opt for tougher options that won't burn as easily, such as perennial ryegrass, meadow grass or tall fescue.
You could also try training your dog to use specific areas of the garden that you can manage yourself, as this will limit the spread of the nitrates and keep more of your lawn alive.
And according to The Sun, pet food firm Tails.com have also encouraged using dog-friendly fertilisers and pesticides if you're going to introduce any chemicals into your garden, as you must avoid causing accidental harm to your pooch.
They said: "When trying to undo the damage already done to your lawn, usually fertilisers or pesticides are recommended.
"However, it’s important to make sure that the solutions you are using are dog-friendly and that you follow the instructions on usage carefully, to avoid using too much of the product and potentially causing harm to your dog."
You also shouldn't use grass seeds to try and overseed your lawn, as these can be "extremely problematic" for our furry friends as they can get lodged between their paws or stuck in their ears.
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