Zoysia grass is a popular warm-season turf known for creating a dense, carpet-like lawn, especially in the southern and transition zones of the United States. Its ability to tolerate drought and various soil types makes it an appealing choice for homeowners seeking a low-maintenance lawn. Determining if this durable grass is suitable for a home with dogs involves examining its resilience against play, its reaction to pet waste, and the safety of its maintenance.
Safety First: Is Zoysia Toxic to Dogs?
The Zoysia grass plant itself is considered non-toxic to dogs and other household pets. It is a natural turfgrass variety that does not contain compounds harmful to animals if ingested. A dog chewing on Zoysia blades or digging into the sod does not face a direct poisoning risk from the plant material alone.
The primary safety concern for pets on any lawn comes from the chemicals used for maintenance, not the grass type itself. Fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides applied to Zoysia grass can pose a risk if a dog walks on them before they dry or ingests treated grass blades. Pet owners must exercise caution, ensuring they use pet-safe formulations or keep pets off the lawn until all applied substances are completely dry.
Handling Wear and Tear from Pets
Zoysia grass exhibits good tolerance for foot traffic, which is a significant advantage in yards used by active dogs for running and playing. This resilience stems from its unique growth habit, involving both above-ground stems (stolons) and underground stems (rhizomes). These lateral growth structures spread horizontally, creating a dense, thick turf that resists compaction and wear better than many other varieties.
The density of the turf provides structural integrity, making it resistant to the constant pressure of paws and physical activity. However, Zoysia’s ability to recover from damage is slower compared to aggressive grasses like Bermuda grass. While the dense network of rhizomes and stolons allows Zoysia to eventually repair bare spots caused by digging or excessive wear, this self-repair process takes longer due to its slower growth rate. Severe damage may require patching with Zoysia grass plugs to speed up restoration.
Managing Dog Urine and Stains
Dog urine presents a chemical challenge to Zoysia grass due to its high concentration of nitrogen and salts. When urine is deposited, the concentrated nitrogen acts like an excessive dose of fertilizer, causing “urine burn” that results in yellow or brown patches. The dense growth structure of Zoysia exacerbates this issue, as the thick canopy prevents the urine from quickly filtering down to the soil.
The concentrated nitrogen and salts remain on the grass blades and in the thatch layer, leading to severe localized damage. To mitigate this, the most effective strategy is to immediately flush the affected area with a large volume of water. Hosing down the spot dilutes the nitrogen and salts, allowing the grass to absorb moisture without the chemical burn. Simple additions like molasses or table sugar can also be applied to help balance the nitrogen overload.
Zoysia Maintenance and Pet Interaction
Maintaining a Zoysia lawn used by dogs requires thoughtful adjustments, particularly concerning fertilization and pest control. Zoysia has relatively low nitrogen requirements compared to other turf species, which is beneficial since dog urine already introduces high nitrogen levels. Homeowners should opt for slow-release, pet-safe organic fertilizers formulated without herbicides or insecticides.
If using synthetic products, ensure that pets are restricted from the area until the product has been watered in and the lawn is completely dry, minimizing the risk of chemical exposure. For mowing, maintaining a slightly higher height (typically between one to two inches) encourages deeper root growth and provides more insulation, making the turf more resilient to wear. To protect dogs from pests like fleas and ticks, natural pest control sprays or products with low-toxicity active ingredients should be chosen.