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Perhaps you’ve seen synthetic turf around sports arenas and some residential lawns, but did you know that your dogs can benefit from having a green artificial grass rug at home? This low-maintenance alternative to real grass can provide your dogs with a cleaner and safer place to play and relax. In this article, we explain why you need synthetic grass for dogs, how to keep them clean, and how to install them for the best results.
What is Synthetic Grass?
Also known as artificial grass, synthetic grass is made from man-made, synthetic materials that provide the look of natural grass lawns. First used in 1966, artificial grass products first graced the Houston Astrodome, known as the first domed indoor sports stadium in the world. Artificial grass blades also have a green color and can come in various pile heights.
The manufacturing process for these is the same as carpets; the best artificial turf will come with primary backing and secondary backing, where the blades can be machine-stitched. Because it looks like a natural lawn, it’s more common to see artificial grass instead of real grass in high school football fields, batting cages, baseball fields, and soccer complexes. Today, more and more families are installing artificial grass in their homes for pet use and landscaping.
Benefits of Artificial Grass for Dogs
A huge plus is that it’s completely safe to use artificial grass around dogs and many prefer it over the real thing. Many pet parents report that their dogs and other pets feel at home and comfortable while playing and resting on artificial pet turf. Apart from giving your lawn a natural look, artificial grass is also softer than real grass and will almost always stay clean and dry since it comes with excellent drainage.
Even when the seasons change, you can be sure that your lawn will look great no matter the weather. You’ll also be happy to know that you won’t get muddy paws inside your home anymore while their play areas are kept neat at all times.
Why Choose Artificial Grass Over Real Grass
If you’re still unsure of why you should use synthetic pet turf around pet areas or in the yard, below are just a few reasons why this is a good idea.
No Harsh Chemicals
Many pet owners treat their dogs as they would their family members, and providing them with an artificial lawn made from non-toxic materials is a wonderful way to give them a healthy environment. Getting a synthetic lawn means that you won’t need to use weed killers, fertilizers, or insecticides to keep your grass protected. Moreover, using fake grass can be a great way to keep parasites such as fleas and ticks away from your dog, and can help prevent infestations.
Easy Cleaning
While many people love the fact that synthetic grass looks just as lush as natural grass, there’s no denying that its ease of use is one of the best parts of having a synthetic lawn. Even with heavy use, artificial grass won’t get dirty or collect mud and dust; it won’t get muddy when it rains either. Thanks to synthetic grass, your kids and pets will be able to enjoy playtime without the mess that comes with it.
Trusted By Many Facilities
There’s no better testament to the effectiveness of synthetic grass than the approval of dogs and its growing popularity across various facilities such as veterinary clinics, kennels, and doggie daycares. Because it’s so low maintenance and has hard-wearing properties, synthetic grass can be great for residential and commercial purposes. When you combine all of these benefits together, it’s no wonder that they’re the first choice for many homeowners and their pets!
Installing Artificial Grass for Dogs
Before going off to buy a pet turf system, there are a few things you need to know about installing them in your home. Make sure to tell your turf installer that you plan to have your dog use the grass frequently; pet turf installation for regular use is different from pet use, so it’s a good idea to let the professionals know about this. Apart from fire safety and the turf warranty, below are other things that should be discussed during a purchase.
Enough Drainage
Having proper drainage is an essential part of installing your synthetic turf the right way. If you live in a location that gets plenty of rain, it’s important to have adequate drainage. It’s also helpful to ensure that when your pup pees, its urine will drain through the grass so it can properly disperse underground.
Anti-Microbial Infill
One of the most overlooked parts of installing synthetic lawns is using an organic infill material; this is especially useful for dog owners. In many cases, using silica sand should be enough to repel the smell of dog urine, but there’s nothing better than an anti-microbial infill that prevents the growth of potentially dangerous and smelly organisms. Apart from eliminating odors, organic infills can keep your lawn cooler compared to regular sand.
Securely Fastened Edges
Some dog owners will often be concerned that their dogs might pull on the edges of their synthetic turf or damage the grass by digging it. If your pup enjoys biting or digging anywhere around your backyard, you will feel better about having your system installed by professionals. Make sure that you discuss your concerns with your turf installer to ensure that each edge is secured and fastened using extra fasteners.
Cleaning Your Artificial Grass
If this is your first time experiencing the benefits of artificial grass, you might not be familiar with how to clean it. This is a question many dog owners have, especially if they have multiple dogs that pee and poop on their lawn. Luckily, this can be done in the same way you would with natural grass by scooping it up and then disposing of it.
Cleaning Urine and Feces
While pet waste can be picked up using a plastic bag and thrown away, dog urine can be a bit trickier to spot since it’s not visible and your dog will likely have a favorite spot to pee. The good news is that the design for drainage in synthetic grass lets rain, snow, and other liquids drain through the first infill layer, including pet urine. This then drains down to the holes in the turf backing and moves over to the sub-base layer which then feeds to the ground underneath.
Luckily, rain should be enough to keep your lawn clean and ammonia-free after your pup goes to the potty. But you can also do the job manually by getting your garden hose and spraying water all over their bathroom area. This can be done as much as needed; if there are stubborn odors lingering around, you may want to use a pet deodorizer or an enzyme cleaner.
Removing Dog Hair
Pet owners with dogs that shed a lot could end up having a huge amount of dog hair on their lawns. Because canines tend to love playing and spending time on artificial grass, chances are that they’ll shed on it. Luckily, it’s relatively easy to get rid of hair on synthetic grass and there are a few ways to do it.
First, you can use a vacuum or push broom to spot-clean the surface of your pet-friendly turf. The second way involves getting a power brush for your synthetic grass that lets you do a more thorough cleaning. This will help you collect hair quickly and easily contain it inside the attached bag; either way, you can be sure of a clean environment.
Artificial Grass Specifications
When you do get your new synthetic grass, make sure to consider a few qualities; these characteristics are ideal for dogs who love to play. These will ensure that you give them the most durable, low-maintenance, and comfortable area that they will be happy to move around in. Speak to a professional turf installer and ask them about products that meet the requirements below.
Pile Height
This refers to the grass blade length; when getting the best synthetic grass for your pup, you can choose any blade length but you may need a shorter pile height if you want increased longevity. The shorter your pile, the better it can withstand wear if you expect it to have lots of foot traffic; it will also stand up well against multiple dogs. The recommended height for synthetic grass is around 1 to 2 inches if it’s made of polypropylene or polyethylene.
However, if your grass is made from nylon, you can look for a taller pile height between 1 to 2 ½ inches thanks to its high strength.
Pile Density
Pile density refers to the grass thickness which is important when considering how much wear and tear it will go through. If your pup loves to run in endless circles or is always digging around your yard, you’ll want to make sure that you stick with a high-density rating for your synthetic grass. The general rule is that a denser fiber count will offer a more dog-friendly option; make sure to look for one that comes with over 16,000 stitches per square meter.
With a higher density count, your synthetic grass will stand up better against dogs and foot traffic in general.
Conclusion
When our furry friends want nothing more than to play, chase, and run, it’s up to us to provide them with the perfect solution that won’t just keep them happy, but will make our lives easier too! Installing synthetic grass over outdoor space such as front yards is a great way to keep our home clean while keeping their play areas functional and safe without much effort. Fortunately, there are many pet turf options to choose from, but no matter where you make your purchase, make sure that your needs are answered by your professional installer.
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