Last Updated on December, 2024
Fake grass is becoming popular among many homeowners who have pets, especially dogs.
Are you wondering why anyone would choose synthetic turf over the real thing or whether it’s a good idea for your backyard?
This article explains why artificial grass might be the perfect solution for your pets and gives some tips to maintain it. Keep reading to find out.
Quick Summary
- Artificial turf is pet-friendly, non-toxic, durable, and low-maintenance, making it an ideal option for dog owners. It avoids chemicals, resists digging, and is easy to clean, providing a safe and comfortable environment for pets.
- It has some downsides, like heat retention in summer, a high initial cost, and the potential for odor buildup if not regularly cleaned.
- To keep it pet-safe and long-lasting, choose durable, low-density turf with proper drainage and maintain it by regular cleaning, brushing, and using infills.
Benefits of Artificial Grass for Dogs
Synthetic grass is beneficial for dog owners and dogs. Below are the advantages of artificial grass for dogs over traditional grass.
Provides a Safe Environment
Natural grass requires pesticides and fertiliser for growth. These chemicals can cause diarrhoea, allergies, nausea, and breathing problems for your dog.
Synthetic grass doesn’t require the application of chemicals. Hence, it’s non-toxic, chemical-free, and safe for your pets.
Additionally, ticks, fleas, and other pests can grow on natural lawns, but not artificial turf. This protects your furry friend from allergies and itching.
Durable and Dig-Proof
Dogs enjoy activities like running, digging, and scratching, and don’t care about the aesthetic appeal of your garden like you do.
As a pet owner, this can be infuriating, and you may try to restrict your pet from certain activities. This can be stressful for your pet.
Unlike natural grass, artificial turf is not damaged by your dog’s sharp nails or teeth. It’s durable and dig-proof.
Hence, your pet has the freedom to play and have fun while you can be at peace knowing your garden will look as beautiful as before.
Low Maintenance
You must fertilise and mow natural grass frequently to keep it in shape.
An artificial lawn remains the same year round and needs minimal maintenance. Brushing and cleaning the turf when needed is sufficient to keep it looking good.
Synthetic grass doesn’t need watering like real grass, and this saves money on water bills and lawn care.
Easy to Clean
Artificial grass helps to maintain a clean and hygienic environment indoors and outdoors.
During a pet turf installation, the existing mud is removed, and an aggregate sub-base is added.
So your pet cannot bring muddy footprints to the inside of the house.
It’s easy to clean synthetic turf. Rinse out pet urine and other liquid waste with a hose.
If there’s any solid waste, scoop it out and wash the area with water. You can use an environmentally friendly cleaner to remove pet waste odour.
Provides Superior Drainage
Pet-friendly artificial grass is permeable and installed on a suitable sub-base, allowing water to flow easily. This avoids water pooling.
You can allow your pet to play even during rainy weather and not worry about getting your inside wet.
Looks Attractive Throughout the Year
Artificial turf comes in different colours and textures to resemble natural grass lawns. It’s soft and spongy to provide a comfortable surface for your pets.
Fake grass allows you to have a beautiful green lawn throughout the year despite the weather and with easy maintenance.
Cons of Artificial Grass
Like every other thing, artificial grass has some downsides. Let’s find out what they are.
- Heat retention
Artificial turf absorbs direct sunlight and retains heat, potentially causing discomfort for pets in hot climates. You must spray water or provide shade during the summer months to keep the pet turf cool.
- High initial cost
It costs around $40-$75 per square metre to get artificial grass installed in Australia. You must make a large initial investment, but you can save money in the long run.
- Cause odour and bacteria buildup
You must clean the artificial grass frequently to keep it odour-free. If you leave dog urine or any other waste for long, dog turf will start to smell.
Use a turf deodorizer, antibacterial sand infill, or a drainage layer to avoid bad smells.
Relevant guides:
What is the Best Artificial Turf for Dogs?
Choose an artificial turf with the below characteristics to keep your furry friends safe.
- Short: Short synthetic turf is easy to clean and good at staying upright compared to tall turf.
- Low-density: Low-density pet turf allows the water to flow freely without pooling. This prevents bacterial growth and unpleasant smells.
- Durable: Choose a pet turf specifically designed to withstand heavy foot traffic and wear and tear.
- Quality: Low-quality pet turf may contain toxic materials. So, choose high-quality turf to keep your pets safe.
Tips to Maintain Artificial Grass
The lifespan of artificial grass can vary depending on the maintenance and traffic. Below are some tips to make the pet turf last long:
- Remove leaves, dirt, and debris daily.
- Remove stains and pet waste promptly.
- Rinse the artificial grass periodically.
- Brush the grass against the direction of the blade.
- Repair rips and damages as soon as possible.
- Call a professional service to remove stubborn stains.
Extra tip for pet owners: Apply an infill such as crumb rubber, silica granules, or sand and stone combination to keep the blades erect. Consult landscape professionals to choose the right infill for your dog’s play area.
Quick Recap
Artificial turf is widely used in dog parks, doggy daycares, dog runs, and dog play areas. It’s pet-friendly, non-toxic, durable, dig-proof, and easy to maintain.
However, fake grass retains heat in summer, requires a high initial cost, and causes odour if not cleaned properly.
Practise proper lawn care and regular cleaning for a long life span.
