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Do Dog Rocks Work to Prevent Urine Burn? A Dog Rocks Review

 

Dog Rocks, out of package

Freshly Rinsed Dog Rocks

In post earlier this week, I explained what Dog Rocks are and how they claim to eliminate new urine burn spots on your lawn. I used them for 30 days and here is what I found:

I’m not sure what I expected, but I removed the Dog Rocks from the package… and they were plain looking rocks. Maybe I expected them to feel magical or mysterious in some way, but no, just igneous rock from a special site in Australia.

[Mini Geology Lesson: Igneous rock is one of the 3 main types of rock found in the Earth’s crust. It is formed through the cooling of magma (lava). The conditions of the cooling magma (if it is under a lot of pressure, if it cools very fast or very slow, etc) determine the specific properties of the rock (how porous it is, color, texture). ]

I rinsed them and placed them in the filter housing area of my dog water fountain so that my pups wouldn’t be tempted to remove and chew on the rocks. Then it was just a waiting game.

These are the photos of the areas where my dogs usually eliminate on day 1:

Lawn Burn before Dog Rocks

2 main areas of my yard before using Dog Rocks

Here are the photos of the same areas on day 31:

After pics of yard

Same areas of the yard after 1 month of using Dog Rocks

My opinion: Do dog rocks work?

While I admit that my results weren’t as amazing as the photos on the packaging suggest, I definitely do see an improvement. My dogs go to the bathroom in the same area of the yard day after day, so there aren’t spots anywhere else on my lawn from my own dogs. Dog Rocks won’t cure the already existing burn spots, so I was looking for new burn patches in these areas. Instead, what I see is my grass growing back into the previously burnt areas, and no clear evidence of new burn spots. Again, this is only after 1 month. I’ll continue to use them and hopefully by spring I’ll have a lush green lawn like my neighbors 🙂

A couple of notes:

  • I conducted this test in August, which isn’t exactly the best month for growing new grass in our area. Dog Rocks won’t cure the already existing urine burns, freshly grown grass will eventually fill in the spots. You can speed up the process by tilling the burnt areas and planting new grass seed. I prefer to let the lawn do the hard work.
  • Diet plays a major role in the amount of nitrates in your dog’s urine. I feed a pretty high protein, home cooked diet because my dogs are highly active. Choosing a high quality dog food with appropriate protein levels for your dog is a key component in controlling lawn burn.
  • Dog Rocks need to be replaced every 2 months and one packet of rocks should be in each water bowl that is available to your dogs for the best results.
Dog Rocks

Dog Rocks by Dog Rocks USA

Because I have three dogs and a pretty small yard, my results might not be typical. Pick up a package of dog rocks and give them a try for yourself. They’re all-natural, they won’t harm your pet (so long as they don’t eat the rocks), they’re inexpensive compared to other additives and alternatives, and they might help prevent unsightly urine burn patches on your lawn. Find Dog Rocks at the lowest price online at thatpetplace.com!

 

24 comments

  1. avatar

    I bought some Dog Rocks and whilst they do appear to work, I have found that ordinary (granite) pebbles which I picked up from the beach, worked just as well as the Dog Rocks

  2. avatar

    I am about to try the dog rocks in my dogs water bowl, what will happen if she does get one out and chews it?

  3. avatar

    Hi Lyn,

    Thanks for commenting. The rocks have a harder texture, so your dog should recognize that it is not a food. Monitor them just in case. Thanks!

  4. avatar

    Lyn,

    We put the rocks in a container that we keep water in and then pour the water from the container into the bowl. That way the rocks are not actually in the water dish, but the rocks are in the water that we eventually give to the dog. We have noticed a difference in our yard for sure.

  5. avatar

    I know this is a somewhat old thread, but wondering if anyone’s done the research as to whether giving your dog(s) distilled or filtered water would do the same? I see you mentioned having a filtration part on your dog fountain, so wondering why that wouldn’t have helped already. But maybe the filters do not take out nitrates, just particulates, etc. you’d usually need some sort of binding material to draw the chemicals out, like something that would bond w/ the nitrates – which is what I’m thinking the rock components do….. that’s probably the answer. I’m guessing. but I don’t know for sure!

  6. avatar

    @andrea

    DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG DISTILLED WATER. Sorry for shouting, but it’s a really, really commonly misunderstood thing that super-pure water is good to drink. It’s bad for humans, it’s bad for dogs.

    Ultra-pure water can actually leach minerals from your bones and teeth. The pH is also less than ideal.

    Ordinary filtered water, or distilled and remineralized water is totally fine though. Don’t know if it will help with the grass.

  7. avatar

    I clicked on the link to purchase the dog rocks but it says Item not available. Do you know when they will be?

  8. avatar

    Hi Tara, we are sorry but we no longer carry that item. We apologize for the inconvenience.

  9. avatar

    We use Dog Rocks every summer! I will not be without them…Typically we start giving our dog “rock water” once the snow goes in the spring and continue right through to freeze up in the fall. They have made a huge difference in our lawn…now if I could just get my son to use them for his dog, we would have zero burns. We also keep the rocks in a jug of water in the fridge, and not in the bowl. We are able to purchase them at any pet store. Highly recommended!

  10. avatar

    Well, all I can say is that Ive tried them starting in March and not one grass burn until last week. I am thinking that I have had my 2 months worth of use from them and have just got new rocks.

    I have seen some articles questioning the science and from the reply given by one of the producers, they can;t seem to be able to back it up. BUT….it does work for me…

  11. avatar

    If you use lawn fertilizer, the product does NOT work!

    This detail is not mentioned on the box and description.

    Just as it is not mentioned either that must be held 10 hour, stones in 2 liters of water after which you give water to the dog.

    I can send pictures as dog urine burns pitch with rocks dog after 10 weeks of use rocks dog

  12. avatar

    Lawn fertilizer as a deterrent will not work. It’s just to fertilize the lawn.

  13. avatar

    I feel Lyn’s question has not been answered. As to what would happen if a dog did chew on one of the rocks?
    Why do you no longer supply this product?

  14. avatar

    Hi Juliette, Items can be discontinued for several different items. It is more likely that in this case it was due to sales as we have not carried the rocks in over a year. The dog rocks are still available, and they are made from all natural products and graded in order to prevent choking. The only thing that would really happen to a dog, had they swallowed the rock, would be to pass it 🙂

  15. avatar

    Dog rocks are amazing they really do work. I was sceptical About them but I have two dogs and my spots were unbelievable when I started using dog rocks there were no more spots

  16. avatar

    If dogs swallow Any kind of rock there is the strong possibility it or they can remain in the dog’s stomach, bowel, etc possibly causing all kinds of problems. Most of which will require surgery. Do Not allow your dogs to eat rocks or other items if possible. Food and water only. Enjoy your dog! Have fun! Treat ‘me right! TY

  17. avatar

    I bought and used the Dog Rocks as per the instructions and they did not work, wasted my money but had to try something.

  18. avatar

    I would be careful of statements like this:

    “They’re all-natural, they won’t harm your pet.”

    Natural does not equate to harmless nor does synthetic mean harmful. Cobra venom is natural.

  19. avatar

    The instructions do say that it will take five weeks to make a noticeable difference, so your 30 days improvement is very encouraging.I shall try it for my lawn, which has four dogs on it, on a regular basis. And three of them are girls … and the boy poodle copies them, though he does lift his leg!

  20. avatar

    Have tried this Product for five Months (according to Instructions) those Rocks did absolutely nothing for what was claimed they do.
    Paid $12 for 3Rocks in Bag, a waste of Money.

  21. avatar

    I am trying this product. However, my dog doesn’t seem to want to drink! He is venturing to the toilet bowl, whining for us to lift lid. He also will go outside to try and get lake water. I placed 2 water bowls down as an experiment- never drinks from bowl with rocks. Thought it might be the rocks and confusing him, so I filled a pitcher of water with rocks, then poured into his bowl. Same results! Suggestions?
    Thanks

  22. avatar

    Having the same problem as Heather. My dog will not drink the rock water and has resorted to the toilet. I planted new grass in the Spring, let my dog into the yard 2 weeks ago and its been quickly destroyed with burn marks.

  23. avatar

    Tried them for the first time this week. My dog has had the runs ever since. Nothing else has changed in her diet. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this a common thing until they get used to the water?

About hcrotsley

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Currently an owner of 3 dogs and 2 cats, I’ve gained a plethora of pet-related experience over the years. I strive to provide the best home I can for my little terrors, and you’ll read all about our trials and tribulations as I continue down the rewarding yet rocky road of pet parenthood.
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