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Pet-Friendly Turf
Pet Turf a.k.a. Artificial Grass for Dogs
Pet Turf, also known as Artificial Grass for Dogs, is a specialized synthetic turf solution crafted to meet the unique needs of pet owners and their furry companions. With two-thirds of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) owning a pet, there is no shortage of demand. For artificial turf installers, pet turf is the most common reason homeowners give for choosing to switch to artificial grass.
For most dog owners, their pup is a part of the family. As such, creating a safe, clean environment for your pup to enjoy is important. At its core, Pet Turf is engineered to provide a durable, low-maintenance alternative to natural grass, offering a pristine outdoor environment that seamlessly blends with your home’s aesthetics. But beyond its visual appeal, the true magic of Pet Turf lies in its ability to enhance the living experience for both you and your pets.
Whether you’re a proud pet parent looking to create a dog-friendly backyard paradise or a homeowner seeking a low-maintenance landscaping solution, Pet Turf offers the perfect blend of functionality, durability, and aesthetics. Join us as we explore the countless benefits of Pet Turf and discover how it can transform your outdoor space into a haven for both you and your beloved pets.
Pet Turf System Components
The image below provides an overview of the individual components of a pet-friendly artificial grass system. It also highlights the features and specs you should look for when considering pet turf products for your project.
Pet-Friendly Artificial Grass
Features to Look for in Pet-Friendly Synthetic Turf:
Durability:
When selecting turf for your pet’s play area, opt for a variety that has a strong and resistant tuft bind strength. This will ensure that the grass blades are tightly interlocked, making them more durable and capable of withstanding your pet’s energetic and lively activities. Look for pet turf products with Polyethylene Monofilament turf fibers.
Drainage:
The biggest difference between pet turf and conventional artificial grass lies in their drainage systems. Pet turf is typically equipped with a fully-permeable backing, which allows for efficient drainage and minimizes the risk of puddles or standing water. With fully permeable (a.k.a. ‘Flow Through’) backings, dog urine can pass through any point in the turf. This is also commonly referred to as ‘Edge-to-Edge’ drainage.
Pile Height:
If you want to make waste removal and cleaning easier, choose a pile height that is 1 to 1.5 inches. A shorter pile height keeps the fibers upright and solid waste sits on top of the fibers. By opting for a shorter height, you can also minimize the chances of odors and bacteria forming.
Safety:
Safeguarding your dog’s health is pretty straightforward with synthetic turf. Just make sure it was manufactured in the U.S.A., is lead-free, PFAS-free, and non-toxic.
Antimicrobial Protection:
Antimicrobial protection is an increasingly common feature of pet-friendly turf products. It’s incorporated into the fibers and backing during the manufacturing process. By melting down antimicrobial additives with the plastic pellets, the protection is incorporated into the materials. This helps maintain a clean and hygienic surface by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Infill Options
What's the Best Infill for Pet Use?
Antimicrobial Protection:
Opt for infill materials that inhibit bacteria and fungi growth, enhancing hygiene and controlling odors. A few popular infill materials for dogs are Envirofill, T°Cool, and HydroChill.
Odor Control:
Choose infill that neutralizes pet waste odors, ensuring a fresh and pleasant environment. A popular option is ZeoFill.
Sub-Base Preparation
What Type of Sub-Base Offers the Best Drainage?
Sub-Base Material:
The best sub-base material for your pet turf project depends on where you’re located and the type of native soil present. Generally, the best base materials for efficient pet turf drainage are Class II Road Base and Decomposed Granite. They offer the greatest permeability and will prevent the buildup of water and dog urine.
What are the Benefits of Installing Artificial Grass for Dogs?
Safe for Pets & Kids
Artificial grass perfect for families with dogs or kids. Unlike natural grass, artificial turf is durable and easy to clean. It is also non-toxic, so you don't have to worry about your pets or children ingesting harmful chemicals.
Efficient Drainage
Pet turf products equipped with a fully permeable backing allow water and urine to pass quickly through any point in the turf. This is also commonly referred to as ‘Flow Through’ or ‘Edge-to-Edge’ drainage.
Aesthetics
Artificial grass won't succumb to brown spots or bare patches the way natural grass does. For busy households that want the look of a pristine lawn without all the work, artificial grass is the perfect solution.
Low-Maintenance
Solid waste can be removed with a baggy or pooper scooper, just like on natural grass. For dog urine, simply rinse it down with a hose to flush any residual urine and to remove any dust or debris.
Eco-Friendly
Faux grass doesn’t require the use of pesticides, fertilizers, or gas powered landscaping equipment. It also doesn’t need water, making it a great option for drought-prone areas. Make the switch and lower your carbon footprint.
Durable
Advances in materials and manufacturing technology enable artificial turf manufacturers to create pet turf that is built to withstand the wear and tear of playful paws and energetic romps.
Projects By Our Members
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FAQs
What do you put under pet turf? What is the best sub-base?
One of the most important components of a pet turf system is the sub-base. Native soil expands and contracts with changes in temperature, which will quickly ruin a turf installation. Synthetic turf needs to be installed on a non-expansive and consistent surface. A properly prepared base layer is compact, solid, and smooth. The most common base materials are Class II Road Base, Crushed Miscellaneous Base (CMB), Crushed Aggregate Base (CAB), and Decomposed Granite (DG).
For pet turf, the best sub-base material is Class II Road Base or Decomposed Granite, as they offer the greatest level of compaction and permeability.
Class II Road Base
Class II Road Base is an aggregate made of a specific recipe of different sizes and quality of rock ranging from fine dust to ¾”. Used as a foundation for various road and pavement projects, it is the preferred base material for many turf installers. It is typically made up of crushed rocks, gravel, and sand, which are mixed together to create a stable and durable base layer. The base is permeable, ensuring excellent drainage, and stays compact, even with heavy foot traffic. According to manufacturers, the best and most effective base layer for artificial turf is a class II road base.
Decomposed Granite (DG)
Decomposed granite is a type of material that is commonly used as a foundation or base layer for various outdoor projects such as driveways, pathways, or patios. It is made up of granulated pieces of granite that have been broken down and weathered over time, creating a compact and stable surface. Decomposed granite creates a smooth underlying surface, compacts very well, and is permeable enough to offer efficient drainage.
Can dogs pee & poop on artificial grass?
YES! Pet-friendly Artificial grass is designed to allow dog urine to pass through the backing of the turf and into the ground below. Dogs tend to urinate in the same spot over and over again, so you may want to rinse those areas with a hose to wash away any residual urine. Removing solid waste is the same as on natural grass. All you need is your hand and a doggy bag or paper towel. You should properly clean and flush the area with water and sanitizer often. Reference our knowledge base for more best practices for pet turf maintenance.
What’s the best artificial pet turf solution?
There is no one-size-fits-all pet turf solution. The best artificial pet turf is situationally dependent and has a lot to do with personal preference. However, there are certain features and characteristics that you should look for when considering pet turf for your home. The two most important features to look for are a short pile height (<1.25”) and fully permeable backing. The shorter pile height ensures that urine easily passes through the blades and drains through the backing. Solid pet waste sits on top of the turf, making it easier to clean for pet owners.
Here is a list of the features to look for in turf products:
- Yarn/Fiber: Polyethylene Monofilament
- Blade Shape: M, W, S, Omega, etc.
- Density: 60+ oz. per sq. yard
- Pile Height: 1” – 1.25”
- Face Weight: 50 – 80 oz. per sq. yard
- Total Weight: 80 – 100+ oz. per. sq. yard
- Backing Weight: 20-30 oz per sq. yard
- Drainage: Fully Permeable (Flow Through)
- Color: Lighter Green
- Sub-Base Material: Class II Road Base and/or Decomposed Granite (DG)
- Infill: T°Cool Infill, Envirofill, HydroChill, ZeoLite
How long does pet-friendly turf last?
How long pet-friendly turf lasts depends on the quality of the turf product, the installation method, amount of foot traffic, and the frequency of maintenance. That said, artificial grass usually provides up to 20+ years of service.
How much does artificial grass for dogs cost?
The cost of artificial grass for dogs will vary from installation to installation. Cost is influenced and determined by the following:
- Sq. Ft. of project area
- Pet turf product
- Pre-Installation site preparation
- Type and amount of base used
- Type & amount of infill
- Any special requests like bender-board or drainage membrane
To learn more about the costs associated with pet-friendly synthetic grass, check out our Pet Turf Cost Calculator.
How do you clean pet-friendly artificial grass?
Cleaning synthetic grass is very simple and straightforward.
It only requires a:
- Hose
- Water-soluble cleaning products
- Few Minutes of Your Time
For solid waste, you simply pick it up, as usual, spray on any cleaners, and wash them off with your hose.
To clean dog and pet urine, you should spray the turf with a hose once a week. If you notice any odor buildup, you can spray the turf with an odor removal product like OxyTurf or TurFresh BioS+. You can also use a homemade solution of equal parts water & vinegar. Then rinse it off with a hose.
Tip: Brush the surface a few times before cleaning. This will disturb the compacted infill and allow the cleanser to really get into the base. If there is a smell that you can’t seem to get rid of, mix equal parts vinegar and water and apply to the affected areas.
How do you remove dog fur from artificial turf?
Removing dog fur from artificial turf is a simple process. You’ll need a soft bristled push broom and a hose. Simply spray the artificial turf with water, grab your push broom, and brush WITH the direction of the fibers. Don’t use brush strokes like you’re sweeping concrete. Hold the push broom at waist level, start at one end & walk the broom to the opposite side. Repeat.
Does pet-friendly artificial grass get hot?
Yes, all artificial turf gets hot. K9 turf is made of polyethylene. It absorbs heat and could potentially reach temperatures as high as 120 F. This temperature is not comfortable for most people and their lovely pets. Therefore, most manufacturers try to reduce the heat of the surface as much as physically possible. Some manufacturers coat artificial turf with heat-reflecting layers, others reduce the density of backing material.
In our experience, there are other factors that affect the temperature of the artificial grass surface. We do not guarantee that our statements are 100% proven, just observations.
Here is what makes turf warmer:
- The darker the turf the warmer it gets.
- The denser the turf, the more heat it absorbs.
- The flatter the blade the faster it transfers the heat.
- The more uniform the turf is, the less wind cools it down.
- The more infill applied, the warmer it gets.
- The flatter matted turf, the denser and warmer it gets.
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