The Best Fake Grass For Dogs

You need a space for your furry friend to play freely. And more and more homeowners are calling Greenland Artificial Grass and choosing to go with the fake stuff. They find the upkeep and maintenance significantly easier to deal with, and their pets can still enjoy their yard.

But fake grass for dogs isn’t perfect for everyone, so you need to decide whether or not this is something you need for you and your pet. There are advantages and disadvantages to installing this type of flooring in your yard, and you need to know all about artificial grass in general.

As a side note, fake grass for dogs tends to differ from other types of fake grass. You need to request this specific type of artificial grass installation if you’re getting a artificial turf installation professional to install artificial turf and you have a pet. That’s because fake grass for dogs accounts for waste and includes drainage systems so they can pee on the grass.

Your Dogs And Grass

Dogs love running around on soft surfaces like grass. After all, they don’t wear shoes and must gently touch every surface they walk on.

But sometimes you can’t afford that luxury. Maybe you don’t have a yard to begin with, and your dog is stuck on your hard floor with nowhere to use the bathroom. Perhaps it’s too shady out back for grass to grow. Or maybe you’d like a pretty yard, but your dog keeps tearing up and ruining everything. You keep the grass for their sake but wish there was an alternative.

Fake grass for dogs is a fine substitute for natural grass. Dogs don’t dig into it, as there’s nothing to unearth, and you don’t need to worry about things like dog urine killing the grass. As a whole, your dog will interact with your fake grass just fine.

Advantages Of Fake Grass For Dogs

Like all artificial grass, you don’t need to water fake grass for dogs. You’ll save a ton of money on water bills and help the environment by not wasting water.

Fake grass is low-maintenance in many ways, as well. You don’t need to mow it, fertilize it, or look after it. Artificial grass does need to get hosed down weekly, but that’s significantly less maintenance (and less water).

Fake grass has UV resistance, meaning it doesn’t fade in the sunlight. And if you’re worried about fire, it tends to be fire-resistant, unlike any dying grass you might have.

Fake grass doesn’t house pests such as ticks and fleas, so you don’t need to worry about your dog picking anything up. And you’ll never find ants, rats, or other pests living inside. If you’re allergic to anything inside regular grass, you won’t find it in the fake grass.

You don’t need to put pesticides or fertilizers on fake grass, so there’s nothing for your dog to accidentally swallow or inhale.

One advantage people like is how much cleaner fake yards are. Your dog won’t track in muddy paw prints any time soon. And if you don’t have a yard, it can make a perfect spot for your dog to use the bathroom indoors.

And, as mentioned above, your dog won’t dig in the grass or kill it by accident, giving you a nicer yard.

What Goes Into Fake Grass For Dogs

There are a few different plastics that make fake grass. Polyethylene is the most popular choice, as it’s made more sustainably and is good for pets. You can also find polypropylene, nylon, and a blend of plastics. Polypropylene is the cheapest, while nylon is known for being stiff and porous, making it hard to clean and not great for fake grass for dogs.

These fibers constitute the bulk of the grass and are called the “yarn.” Some are heat-resistant to prevent paws from burning.

Under the yarn, you can sometimes find thatch, which helps the grass mimic natural grass.

Some fake grass for dogs has an “infill” that mimics soil. Infill tends to be rubber, ceramic, or silica. For pet applications, you need a non-toxic infill installed. They’re good at cushioning paws and protecting against burning.

At the bottom are permeable backings that allow liquid to slip through. They’re sometimes fully permeable, but sometimes they use a “hole-punch” design with several holes for fluids to go through. This type is best combined with non-infill grass, as the infill can clog the holes.

Older fake grass used to contain lead, but not anymore. Your fake grass should be safe.

Maintaining Fake Grass For Dogs

Fake grass is relatively easy to maintain, even with a messy dog.

Spray your artificial grass down with a hose once or twice weekly. Never use a pressure washer. You can use mild cleaning chemicals if you want, but not anything acidic or alcohol-based.

Brush away any dirt and leaves as they accumulate. You can use a leaf blower.

If you take good care of it, your fake grass should last around 10-20 years.

FAQs

What’s the best artificial grass for dogs?

The best fake grass for dogs is one that has a solid drainage system. One without infills will usually drain better, but be careful, as infill-less grass can sometimes burn your dog’s feet. You’ll want one made of polyethylene, as it’s soft enough for pets to enjoy.

Why do people get artificial turf for dogs?

Artificial turf works well when you don’t have a yard for your dog to run around or use the bathroom. You don’t need to worry about your dog digging up the yard or tracking in muddy pawprints. People also like how low-maintenance artificial grass is.

What kind of dog turf is safe on a dog’s paws?

You’ll want turf that retains as little heat as possible. Go for turf that’s lightly colored, relatively sparse, and not very uniform or matted. Infill can sometimes cause burns, although it can also help prevent burns, depending on the type you get.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of getting artificial turf for dogs?

Fake grass for dogs is less messy, as your dog can’t dig through it. It’s also relatively low-maintenance compared to natural grass. You also don’t need to worry about things like pesticides or pests themselves living in the grass.

Unfortunately, your grass won’t grow back after your dog has roughed it up for a while. It can get hotter than regular grass if you don’t install the correct type. Sometimes it can take time for your dog to get used to it. Certain types are also terrible at retaining odors. It’s generally pricier than regular grass as well.