QuestionHi Tom :) I am in desperate need of some help! I currently live in Phoenix, Arizona and I am trying to plant a grass lawn for my two dogs. Here's the problem-my one dog is highly allergic to Meadow Fescue (which I am told is a form of Bermuda Grass). Her allergies are so severe I have to administor weekly injections and would like to eliminate this allergen from her life. As far as I know, most of the grass in Phoenix is Bermuda Grass. Do you have any alternate suggestions for a type of grass that can make it in our hot dry enviornment? Thanks so much :)
AnswerLet me chime in here if I may...
While I plead inexperience with growing grass in Arizona, I do know a lot about Grass and I happen to know that Bermudagrass is the most popular Lawn grown in Arizona. In fact, 98 percent of the world's Bermudagrass Lawns are planted in Southern California and Arizona. Reason is, as long as you water it, this is the Grass that endures triple digit temps with the least damage.
As for 'Meadow Fescue', actually this is called Festuca pratensis or, at one time, Festuca elatior by botanists. Your consultant may be confusing Bermudagrass and Fescue. 'Tall Fescue', Festuca arundinacea, looks a lot like, and at one time it was classified as a variety of, Meadow Fescue. Bermudagrass is Cynodon dactylon. Both are members of the Poaceae (Grass) Family.
The FDA posts an essay on pet allergies, 'Is Your Pet Itching for Relief?' on its website:
www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/404_pets.html
They report that contact allergy, which can include reactions to Grass, wool or plastic, is 'the least common type of allergy in dogs and cats.' One problem for both is called 'plastic dish dermatitis,' which they call 'an irritation to the skin on the nose caused by a reaction to an antioxidant found in a plastic food or water dish. The condition clears up when the pet is switched to a metal or ceramic dish.' Some cats are even allergic to kitty litter.
But the Grass they're talking about isn't limited to Fescue, or even Bermuda. Even Kentucky Bluegrass, the most popular Cool Season turfgrass in the country, can cause allergic reactions in susceptible dogs. Look at the report by Derrick Blakely, 'Treatments For Pets With Allergies' on the local CBS Chicago affiliate's website:
cbs2chicago.com/topstories/pet.allergies.veternarian.2.736114.html
Blakely points out, 'Allergies are the number two reason for a trip to the vet.' The plight of one Dog, allergic Trees, Grass -- including Kentucky Bluegrass -- and numerous Fungi and Mushrooms among other things was the subject of one of his local news reports. Treatment: Antihistamines, steroids, baths, eye drops or anti-allergy vaccinations 'just like people get'. Switching Grasses does not seem to be your answer. Claritin, however, perhaps. Ask your vet.
THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER
