As the first green shoots of spring start pushing their way through the Earth and gardeners get ready for the growing season ahead, garden-proud dog owners should be keeping a close eye on the condition of their lawns and trees, which over time can be seriously damaged by canine urine burns. A 100 percent natural solution is here in the form of Dog Rocks, which have been saving lawns around the world from the blight of yellow burn patches since 2003.
Already a favourite of millions of dog parents, these igneous rocks sourced from Australian mines remove some of the nitrates, ammonia and harmful trace elements, serving as a water filter for pets when placed in dogs’ drinking bowls. As it is an excess of nitrates in urine which cause lawns to burn and result in diseased or dying trees, Dog Rocks can effectively cure the problem at source.
Countless pet owners who’ve tried everything from expensive chewable tablets, fancy dog food, tomato juice and other supposed save-your-lawn solutions which fail to actually work, are thrilled to report on the benefits of Dog Rocks, with visible results appearing after 3-5 weeks of consistent use. Such is their joy at solving this problem that satisfied Dog Rocks users have even announced their discovery on Good Morning America!*
Canine urine is also a contributing factor in the death of trees and other plants, which in today’s climate of heightened eco-awareness should sound alarm bells ringing in all responsible pet-owning households. The evidence of burning is clearly visible on trees in many urban environments, with fissures and cracks appearing on the lower two feet of plants unprotected by cages.
It was a plant pathologist from the New York Botanical Garden, Pascal Pirone, who in 1959 first set the alarm about tree health being affected by canine urine in his presentation, “Why shade trees die along city streets.” What Pascal called “dog canker” can even kills trees up to 6 inches in diameter, as well as seriously damaging the lower two feet of larger trees. Whilst “metal collars” can help prevent damage to bark, a constant stream of dog urine over time will seep into the trees root area, causing severe damage and premature death through ammonium toxicity.
Ammonium is in all mammals’ pee and as a source of nitrogen it is OK in small doses, but too much can be highly toxic. The massive rise in dog ownership and what that means for trees – especially in gardens and urban areas – is therefore a matter of too much of a good thing. When dog urine seeps into a tree pit the extra salt can also create a crust on the soil which makes it almost impenetrable to water. This excess salt draws water out from the tree roots, exacerbating a problem which Dog Rocks can do so much to solve.
Dog Rocks, which are brought to market by devoted dog owners with the health and wellbeing of their pets in mind, do not change the pH of a dog’s urine. Unlike other products on the market, they are completely organic and chemical-free, containing no ingredients other than naturally-occurring igneous rocks. As the rocks serve as purifiers, it means the water they are placed in will be cleaner than tap water and safer for not only pets but other family members to drink as well!
Vets around the country have given Dog Rocks their seal of approval, with Jacquie RVN of Leonard Brothers Vet Centre, Shropshire, saying: “We are both so impressed with the results so far that we have persuaded our practice to start selling them in the waiting room.”
Sue Shepherd VN, Head Nurse at Scott Veterinary Centre, Birmingham, said: “We the staff here at the Scott Vets have highly recommended ‘Dog Rocks’ and several of our clients purchase them from us. Many of the staff, including myself use them, and find them to be extremely good, we shall continue to recommend.”
*Full testimonial: “My husband and I got tired of the yellow burnt marks on our lawn from our dog. We tried everything, expensive chewable tablets, dog foods, vitamins, tomato juice pretty much any and all “save your lawn” concoctions. Her neighbor had been watching “Good Morning America” and they had someone talking about “Dog Rocks”. At that time they were not imported into the US so she ordered them straight from down under. She swore by them. Well the darn things work”. Kim Felty, Strathford, CT
