Is There Grass Seed You Can Use That Dogs Can't Harm and Won't Harm Them?

Eating Grass

• According to Dog Training Classroom, a dog will chew on grass when it has a buildup of digestive juices that it needs to purge through throwing up or when it isn't receiving enough roughage in its diet. No matter the reason for eating it, grass that has not been sprayed with insecticide or covered in fertilizer is harmless to a dog. However, there is no clear consensus as to how long a dog should be kept off a lawn that has been treated with insecticide. Some lawn care companies claim that it is safe for your pet to return to the lawn once the insecticide is dry while the Veterinary Information Network says that there's a risk of toxicity. Any type of untreated grass is safe for your dog, but care must be taken once the treatment has been applied.

Digging Dogs

• One type of grass that does well in yards with dogs who like to dig is St. Augustine. This grass thrives in yards with extreme temperatures; and because it is particularly deep-rooted, it holds up well to digging dogs. The downside to this grass is that it doesn't do well with excessive amounts of urine. St. Augustine is most commonly used in warm climates.

Active Dogs

• The same zoysia grass that is used on athletic fields and public parks works well in yards with dogs. It's the durability of zoysia that helps it withstand wear. Kentucky bluegrass does well under high traffic, making it a good choice for dog owners. Like St. Augustine, though, Kentucky bluegrass is susceptible to urine burns. It is most commonly used in cool, northern regions of the country.

Hybrid Mixture

• One of the best options for yards with dogs is tall fescue grass. Not only is tall fescue deeply-rooted enough to withstand particularly playful pups, but it holds up well under everyday wear and tear and is able to withstand urine damage better than most grass types. The one caveat is that tall fescue tends to look a little "clumpy" as it grows, so it works best when mixed with a filler grass, such as ryegrass or Kentucky bluegrass.

All Grass Types

• Some grasses are better than others in high traffic yards, but there is no single type of grass that can totally withstand urine burns. The trick with all grass types is to get ahead of urine burns by diluting urine before it dries on the grass. If you're home with your pet, pour water on the spot right after the dog relieves itself. Otherwise, do your best to keep your lawn moist by watering it regularly.