St. Augustine grass is a popular warm-season turfgrass known for its dense, carpet-like growth, creating a lush look in many southern and coastal yards. Pet owners often wonder about the compatibility of this grass with their dogs, balancing the desire for a beautiful lawn with their pet’s safety and activity. Understanding the grass’s physical properties, its resilience to damage, and the necessary maintenance requirements is important for homeowners making informed choices.
Safety Profile of St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is non-toxic to dogs and other household pets. Major pet safety organizations do not list this grass as inherently poisonous, meaning accidental ingestion of the blades should not cause a toxic reaction. The primary concern is not chemical toxicity but the grass’s physical texture. St. Augustine grass has broad, coarse, and relatively stiff blades. This texture can occasionally lead to minor irritation or abrasions on a dog’s paw pads, especially for highly active dogs or those with sensitive feet. Its dense growth habit does offer a thick, comfortable surface for lounging and general play.
Durability and Damage Resistance
The primary challenge of keeping St. Augustine grass with active dogs relates to its durability and reaction to dog waste. This turf has only moderate tolerance for heavy, concentrated foot traffic, which is an issue for dogs that run repetitive paths. The grass spreads via above-ground runners called stolons, allowing for some self-repair. However, recovery is slower compared to grass types that utilize underground rhizomes. Repeated wear quickly leads to soil compaction and thinning, creating bare patches that are slow to fill in.
Dog urine causes localized damage known as nitrogen burn, resulting in yellow or brown spots. The high concentration of nitrogen and salts in the urine acts like an over-application of fertilizer, scorching the grass blades and overwhelming the roots. Since St. Augustine grass is a warm-season variety with a slower growth rate, damaged spots take a longer time to recover naturally. While a healthy, dense lawn can better withstand urine damage, frequent, concentrated application of waste will inevitably cause noticeable spots.
Pests and Treatments Affecting Canine Health
While the grass itself is safe, the chemical treatments often necessary to maintain a lush St. Augustine lawn can pose a health risk to dogs. St. Augustine grass is susceptible to pests like chinch bugs, often requiring insecticides. Herbicides are also frequently used to control broadleaf weeds. These chemical products, along with high-nitrogen fertilizers, can be toxic if ingested or absorbed through a dog’s paws immediately following application.
Dogs are at risk because they play, roll, and walk directly on the treated surface, leading to the ingestion of chemical residues when they lick their paws or eat grass. Even dried chemicals can be tracked into the house and ingested. Fertilizers can be attractive to dogs, and ingestion before the product is watered in can cause severe digestive upset. Exposure to lawn chemicals has also been linked to more serious, long-term health problems in dogs.
Lawn Care Adjustments for Pet Owners
Mitigating damage and ensuring safety requires specific adjustments to the lawn care routine. The most effective way to address urine burn is to dilute the spot immediately after the dog urinates by flushing the area with water from a hose. Training your dog to use a designated potty area, such as a patch of mulch or gravel, can also reduce the number of burned areas in the main lawn.
To manage traffic damage, pet owners should consider creating defined pathways or rotating the dog’s play area to prevent consistent stress on one section of turf. Aerating the lawn every one or two years helps alleviate soil compaction caused by repeated running and play. When chemical treatments are necessary, always select products with the lowest toxicity profile and follow all label instructions carefully. Keep dogs off the treated area for the period recommended on the product label, often until the application is completely dry.