urine neutralizer?

[patty_k]

I have a 30foot by 10 foot area that my dogs are allowed to use for the bathroom, I added a fence to make it into a run and shelter with 2 dog houses. This saved my lawn and
I finally have grass. They are trained to play in the yard but go to the bathroom in the run area. My problem is the run area became mud very quickly and is in the shade all the time, so I put down cedar bedding a few years ago to keep the mud out of my house.
I just kept adding the cedar, but now I realized my mistake since the urine isn't being absorbed,(I clean up the poop), and it
is smelling bad. I started removing the cedar, and cleaning the area to the dirt again, a very big job.

Now, my question. Is there a good absorbable base to put in the pen-
or is there a product I can add to
absorb and neutralize the urine and
just remove the cedar more often and
replace with fresh cedar bedding?

Patty

[shybird]

Patty, you can use regular garden lime. I us e-z spread lime. You can get it almost anywhere that sells garden supplies. Walmart, K-mart, or any garden supply. It costs about $3 for a big bag. Sprinkle or spread it around. rake in lightly and water it in. Let it dry. It will not harm the dogs...Myia

[patty_k]

Thanks Myia, I will try it.
I also thought about those enzymatic
cleaners for the house, some say can be'
used in a dog run, or outside.

I think the lime will be a lot cheaper.

Patty

[Karyn]

I heard from my neice (she has two yellow labs)that if you put a teaspoon of baking soda in the dog's water it will make the urine alkaline and save your grass. Has anyone else ever heard this? She has done this since she got the dogs and her grass is just fine.

[Judi W]

Changing the ph of the dog's urine might indeed save the grass, but before you begin messing with the dog's natural chemistry, I would think twice about how important a few little brown spots in the lawn are. You will be changing the GI chemistry as well as the kidney and bladder balance.

[Karyn]

Judi I agree, that is why I asked if anyone on this board had any knowledge of the baking soda thing. One could not ask for more than the collective knowledge of the 6000 + members and lurkers on this board. Presently, my backyard grass is hopeless, buy the front lawn looks nice!