It is perhaps the most persistent myth in the world of pet ownership: “I don’t need to pick up the dog poop, it’s good fertilizer for the lawn!” This misconception ruins thousands of lawns every year. The truth is, dog waste is the exact opposite of fertilizer.
The Diet Difference
The confusion stems from the fact that cow and horse manure are excellent fertilizers. But cows and horses are herbivores; their diets consist entirely of plant matter. Dogs are omnivores with protein-heavy, meat-based diets. Because of this, dog waste is highly acidic and contains massive amounts of nitrogen.
Nitrogen Burn
While a little nitrogen is good for grass, the concentrated amount found in dog feces and urine is toxic to lawns. When left to sit, it literally burns the grass roots. This is what causes those distinct yellow and brown dead patches scattered across your yard. Instead of feeding the grass, the waste is killing it.
The Pathogen Problem
Even if dog waste didn’t burn the grass, it still wouldn’t be a safe fertilizer. It is classified by the EPA as an environmental pollutant in the same category as oil and toxic chemicals, due to the high concentration of harmful bacteria and parasites it contains.
If you want a green, healthy lawn, the best thing you can do is remove the dog waste immediately and use a proper, commercially formulated lawn fertilizer instead.