What are Dog Rocks?
Dog Rocks are a product designed to prevent dog urine from killing grass by altering the pH of the urine. They are small, odorless rocks made from a proprietary blend of minerals and ingredients that get added to your dog’s water bowl.
When a dog drinks water containing Dog Rocks, it causes a chemical reaction that neutralizes the nitrogen in their urine. Nitrogen is what typically causes yellow or brown patches to appear on your lawn when dogs go to the bathroom. By neutralizing the nitrogen, Dog Rocks help protect grass from urine damage.
Dog Rocks make dog urine less acidic and more similar to rainwater. This prevents urine spots on the lawn and allows the grass to grow and thrive. The rocks contain all-natural ingredients and are non-toxic for pets.
How Dog Rocks Work
Dog Rocks are a completely natural product made of a combination of minerals such as magnesium oxide and zeolite. When placed in your dog’s water bowl, these minerals get absorbed into the water over time, altering its pH and making it more alkaline.
The alkaline water then gets consumed by your dog and changes the pH of their urine. A more alkaline urine pH helps prevent lawn burn spots by neutralizing excess nitrogen in your dog’s urine so it can’t damage the grass.
Essentially, Dog Rocks work by creating a barrier between the nitrogen in your dog’s urine and your lawn. The minerals alter the urine chemistry just enough to avoid lawn burn, but not enough to harm your dog or change their behavior at all.
Recommended Number of Dog Rocks
The number of Dog Rocks required depends on your dog’s weight and water consumption. Dog Rocks are a natural solution for reducing the brown spots your dog’s urine causes on your lawn. They work by filtering out impurities in your dog’s drinking water.
Here are the recommended number of Dog Rocks based on your dog’s weight:
For Dogs Under 10 lbs
2-3 Dog Rocks
For Dogs 10-25 lbs
3-4 Dog Rocks
For Dogs 25-50 lbs
4-5 Dog Rocks
For Dogs Over 50 lbs
5-6 Dog Rocks
Monitor your dog’s water consumption and increase the number of Dog Rocks if needed. Dog Rocks should be replaced every 2-3 months.
For Dogs Under 10 lbs
If your dog weighs less than 10 lbs, it is recommended to use just 1 Dog Rock in their water bowl. This single Dog Rock will be sufficient to effectively reduce the minerals and impurities found in tap water that lead to urine burn spots on your lawn.
One Dog Rock can treat up to 2 quarts of water. Since smaller dogs drink less water on average, a single Dog Rock is adequate for keeping their urine from damaging grass and vegetation. The minerals in the water get attracted to the rock instead of staying in the water.
With only 1 Dog Rock needed, owning a small dog is the most cost-effective way to use Dog Rocks. One box containing 8 Dog Rocks will last an under 10 lb dog about 5-6 months before needing to be replaced. This makes Dog Rocks very affordable for small dog owners looking to save their lawn.
For Dogs 10-25 lbs
The recommended number of Dog Rocks for dogs weighing between 10-25 lbs is 2 Dog Rocks. This amount is suitable for medium-sized dog breeds like Beagles, French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Dachshunds. Using 2 Dog Rocks in your dog’s water bowl will help reduce the amount of nitrogen your dog drinks, leading to less burn spots on your lawn.
With dogs in this weight range, 2 Dog Rocks is typically enough to provide full coverage and nitrogen reduction. More than 2 is usually not necessary. The rocks will last 2-3 months before needing to be replaced, so monitor your lawn for improvements and replace when you notice the nitrogen spots returning.
Always monitor your dog’s health and behavior when using Dog Rocks to ensure they are tolerating them well. But for most dogs 10-25 lbs, 2 Dog Rocks is the recommended amount for optimal lawn benefits.
For Dogs 25-50 lbs
For medium-sized dogs that weigh between 25-50 lbs, it is recommended to use 3 Dog Rocks. This amount has been found to be the ideal quantity to effectively prevent urnine burn patches in grass for dogs of this size range.
With 3 Dog Rocks placed in your dog’s water bowl, the rocks will release just the right concentration of minerals and elements to alter the pH balance of your dog’s urine. This will make the urine less acidic and less damaging to grass.
The rocks will dissolve slowly over time, constantly infusing the water with the beneficial minerals. As long as you replace the rocks every 2-3 months, 3 Dog Rocks should maintain the proper pH levels for dogs 25-50 lbs to prevent lawn burn.
Be sure to monitor your lawn to ensure the rocks are working effectively. If you notice the grass turning yellow, simply increase to 4 rocks. The rocks are harmless if ingested, so having a few extra is not a concern.
For Dogs Over 50 lbs
Most manufacturers of Dog Rocks recommend using 4 rocks for dogs that weigh over 50 lbs. This is the ideal amount for larger breed dogs to effectively prevent the formation of yellow spots on your lawn while ensuring the rocks do not overly dilute your dog’s urine.
Dog Rocks contain a mineral compound that neutralizes the nitrogen in your dog’s urine when they drink water containing the rocks. By neutralizing the nitrogen, it helps prevent nitrogen burn that leads to yellow and brown patches on your lawn.
Using the recommended 4 rocks for bigger dogs over 50 lbs provides enough of the active mineral to bind to the nitrogen without over-diluting your dog’s urine. If you use too many rocks, it can lead to your dog needing to urinate more frequently.
Four rocks for larger dogs allows for a healthy balance – stopping lawn discoloration while maintaining normal hydration and urination habits for your pet. The rocks will last 2-3 months before needing replacement, so monitor your lawn for any return of yellow spots which may indicate the rocks have been depleted.
Replace Dog Rocks Every 2-3 Months
Dog Rocks are not a permanent solution. The minerals inside Dog Rocks that prevent burning gradually get used up over time. For optimal performance, it’s important to replace your Dog Rocks every 2-3 months.
You’ll know it’s time to swap out your Dog Rocks when you start noticing your dog’s urine burning the grass again. The rocks will appear intact, but their inner minerals will be depleted.
Mark your calendar to remind yourself to replace the Dog Rocks regularly. While the rocks may seem like they’ll last forever, their effectiveness wears off after a couple months of use. Fresh Dog Rocks are required to maintain lush, green grass.
Depending on your dog’s size and water consumption, Dog Rocks may need replacing sooner than the 2-3 month timeline. Keep an eye on your lawn as the indicator. Swap out the rocks at the first signs of yellow or brown patches.
With regular replacement, Dog Rocks provide a safe, gentle way to prevent dog urine from damaging lawns. The small investment is well worth it for most dog owners to protect their outdoor space.
Using More Than Recommended
While using more Dog Rocks than the recommended amount will not harm your dog, it is unnecessary. Dog Rocks work by releasing calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide into your dog’s water bowl to prevent the minerals in water from creating yellow spots on your lawn. The recommended amount of Dog Rocks is calibrated to provide just enough minerals to prevent discoloration, without over-mineralizing the water.
Adding extra Dog Rocks beyond the recommended amount will not provide any additional benefit. The water will simply become more mineralized. This extra mineral content is not dangerous for dogs if consumed in moderation, but it could lead to buildup in your pipes and plumbing over time. The recommended number of Dog Rocks per bowl size has been carefully calculated by the manufacturer to provide the ideal concentration.
So while a few extra Dog Rocks likely won’t hurt, it’s best to stick to the suggested amount. The extra minerals will simply be wasted, providing no benefit to your dog or lawn. Just be sure to replace the Dog Rocks every 2-3 months as minerals deplete over time for optimal performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dog Rocks are a popular and effective way to reduce the amount of urine burn marks on your lawn from your dog. However, some dog owners have questions about properly using Dog Rocks. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
How quickly do Dog Rocks start working?
You should start to see results within 2-3 weeks of first using Dog Rocks. The minerals in Dog Rocks work gradually to create a balanced pH in your dog’s system.
Do Dog Rocks work for female dogs?
Yes, Dog Rocks are effective for both male and female dogs. The minerals bind to compounds that cause excess nitrogen in urine, which helps for dogs of either gender.
My lawn still has some burn marks. Should I use more Dog Rocks?
It’s best not to exceed the recommended amount of Dog Rocks based on your dog’s weight. Using more will not make them work faster or more effectively. Make sure to replace the Dog Rocks every 2-3 months.
Are Dog Rocks safe for my dog to ingest?
Yes, Dog Rocks contain all-natural minerals that are safe for dogs. The minerals pass through your dog’s system harmlessly.
How do I transition my dog to using Dog Rocks?
Simply place the recommended amount of Dog Rocks in your dog’s water bowl or fountain. No transition period is needed. However, it will take a couple weeks for the Dog Rocks to start working.
Do Dog Rocks work for any breed of dog?
Yes, Dog Rocks are safe and effective for all breeds and sizes of dogs over 12 weeks old. The number of rocks needed depends on your dog’s weight.