Your once green and perfect lawn is now starting to have dead patches and you’re probably wondering to yourself why. There are many reasons for dead grass, but the culprit could be right in your living room without you even knowing.
You are now left wondering, does cat urine kill grass? The answer to this question is yes. Large amounts of cat urine will burn your grass which will result in a brown patch. Cat urine actually acts like a fertilizer to grass which means in small amounts it can be beneficial.
This is not always the case if a cat pees a very large amount in one area of your grass. This is what will cause the brown patch to appear. It is possible that overtime the grass may grow back, but in most cases you will need to replant grass in the damaged area.
Why Does Cat Urine Kill Grass?
The reason why cat urine kills grass is simply because of the nitrogen content in cat urine. Cat’s consume a good amount of protein in their diets. The way their body breaks down part of the protein is by the removal of excess nitrogen by the kidneys. Anything filtered through the kidneys is excreted in the form of urine.
Urine, unlike feces, is absorbed instantly in the grass which will then in turn kill the grass. This is the main reason fertilizer is feces based because it is absorbed at a much tolerable rate. This is also why small amounts of urine will not kill or damage your grass, but will actually help it with similar effects to fertilizer.
How Do I Stop Cats from Peeing on My Lawn?
If you catch a cat urinating on your lawn then that area must have already been claimed as his territory. Cats, like dogs, are territorial creatures and they will urinate on areas that they want to claim.
There are many different ways you can stop a cat from peeing on your lawn. Whichever way you choose, you must be persistent to achieve the outcome you want. Here is a list of some common ways to help keep cats from peeing on your lawn.
- If you are having issues with cats in your garden bed then you can try placing pebbles in the dirt. Cats prefer to walk and dig on loose dirt. Adding rocks or pebbles will make your garden less appealing to cats.
- Pine cones are another object that cats do not want to walk across or around. Pine cones can be used to decorate a lawn or garden bed and can help add some protection against cats.
- Planting prickly shrubs or bushes around your lawn or garden can also help keep cats away. The reason for these types of plants are self explanatory.
- Purchase and spray cat repellent on a regular basis around your lawn and any other areas you want to deter cats from.
What Smells Deter Cats from Peeing?
The main scent or smell that is used to deter cats is citrus. The citrus scent in orange peels is a common ingredients used in many forms if cat repellents on the market. For more information about oranges and citrus scents you can read my article here which goes more in depth about oranges and cats.
There are also many different essential oils that cats do not like the smell of. A great idea is to look at the ingredients of many popular cat repellents on the market to get a good understanding of what cats do not like.
Is Vinegar a Good Cat Repellent?
Apple cider vinegar is a great ingredient used for making homemade cat repellents. Here are a few easy steps to make your own apple cider vinegar cat repellent at home.
- Mix apple cider vinegar and water at a 1:1 ratio. If you use two cups of vinegar then use two cups of water.
- Purchase or use an old spray bottle to fill with the solution.
- Always test homemade recipes like this one on small portions of fabric before spraying it all over your furniture to make sure it doesn’t stain anything.
Final Thoughts
Cat urine does indeed kill grass in large amounts. Small amounts will actually act like a fertilizer for your grass which is actually good.
If you are having issues with cats peeing in your lawn or garden then you can take some precautionary measures to deter cats from your yard. Use prickly or thorny bushes, rocks or pebbles, and cat deterrent sprays altogether for the best results.
