Fake Grass for Dogs: A Complete Buyer’s Guide to Pet Turf & Pet-Friendly Artificial Grass

In recent years here in Texas, we’ve seen a massive increase in the demand for fake grass for dogs [or pet turf] among home and business owners alike.

This landscaping option provides lush green spaces that stay beautiful and green year-round without the water or maintenance requirements of natural grass.

In hot and dry climates, pet-friendly artificial turf landscaping is an affordable, beautiful, and low-maintenance alternative to natural grass lawns.

As a pet owner, you want what’s best for your furry friend. 

You may have heard about fake grass for dogs and are wondering if it’s the right choice for your pup.

With so many artificial turf options on the market, it can be tough to know where to start.

When it comes to finding the best fake grass for dogs, a little research is required.

Not all artificial pet turf is created equal and you’ll want to make sure you find one that’s safe and durable enough to stand up to your pup’s rough-and-tumble playtime. 

In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before making your purchase.

We’ll cover topics such as benefits, types of fake grasses available, features to look for, maintenance requirements, cost, savings, and much more! 

So whether you’re looking for a new spot for Fido to play or simply want to keep your home looking pristine, read on for the inside scoop on fake grass for dogs!

What is Fake Grass for Dogs [a.k.a. Pet Turf]?

Fake grass for dogs is a type of synthetic grass that is designed specifically for dogs.

It’s also commonly referred to as pet turf, dog turf, K9 grass, pet-friendly artificial turf, and artificial grass for dogs to name a few.

The best fake grasses perfectly mimic the look and feel of natural grass, while providing a safe, clean, and comfortable ground cover that dogs can’t easily destroy.

The versatility, durability, and low maintenance requirements of fake grass for dogs enable it to be installed just about anywhere you can imagine.

From entire front and backyards to patios and outdoor living spaces to dog runs and designated dog potty areas to dog parks and indoor facilities, the only limit is your imagination.

Now that you know exactly what fake grass for dogs is, we’ll explore the difference between pet turf and regular artificial grass.

Pet Turf vs. Artificial Grass: What’s the Difference?

While they may look at feel the same, there are some important differences to consider when comparing pet turf vs. artificial grass.

The biggest difference between the two is in the type of backing or drainage system that the turf is equipped with.

Drainage is a critically important factor when installing fake grass for dogs, as you want their urine to pass through the turf as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Pet-friendly turf products should be equipped with a fully permeable backing that will allow dog urine to pass directly through any point in the turf’s backing.

Regular artificial grass usually has a hole-punched backing that consists of small holes that are punched into the turf’s backing every 4” to 6”.

Dog urine has to make its way to a hole to pass through the turf, but it can settle in areas between the holes.

Over time this can cause a buildup of odors and bacteria in the turf.

Fake grass for dogs is now commonly equipped with antimicrobial technology that’s infused into the product during the manufacturing process.

Antimicrobial additives become a part of the fibers and backing of pet turf products and help to prevent the buildup of odors and bacteria.

How Durable is Fake Grass for Dogs? 

Once properly installed on a solid sub-base, high-quality artificial grass products should last 15 – 25 years with proper maintenance and care.

A turf product’s longevity depends on a number of factors; the volume of foot traffic, maintenance & care, quality of the materials, etc.

As you might expect the best artificial grass products will last longer than cheap alternatives.

Cheap knock-off turf products manufactured in China and other counties overseas can start degrading and falling apart within a year or two of being installed.

What Makes A Pet Turf Product Durable?

Below we’ll examine the individual components of artificial pet turf that contribute to its durability.

The areas we’ll cover below are material quality, the backing or drainage system, and additional features that help protect your turf and your pup like antimicrobial and UV protection.

By understanding what goes into making a turf product durable you’ll know what to look for when you begin shopping for it.

You’ll know what questions to ask and what features to look for to ensure that you get the best pet turf product for you and your pup!

Material Quality

The quality of the materials used to manufacture artificial grass plays a big role in how durable a pet turf product will be.

Three materials are generally used to create the fibers and thatch:

• Polyethylene
• Polypropylene
• Nylon

Polyethylene is the most common material used to manufacture artificial grass, as it offers a great combination of soft feel, aesthetics, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

Polypropylene is often used to create the thatch fibers but should be avoided if it’s been used to create the turf’s main fibers.

Nylon is the most durable and most expensive material used in artificial grasses, but its rough texture and cost make it a better option for backyard putting greens.

Foreign turf manufacturers aren’t held to the same quality standards as manufacturers here in the USA.

Manufacturers in China and other countries can lower the costs of manufacturing by using diluted plastics that have been mixed with lower-grade plastics and fillers.

These inexpensive turf products may look and feel like the real thing but will quickly fail when installed and exposed to the sun, foot traffic, pets, and weather.

Backing

The best pet-friendly artificial grass products are equipped with a fully permeable backing that allows water and urine to pass directly through any point in the turf.

This is commonly referred to as 100% permeable, fully permeable, flow-through, and edge-to-edge drainage.

Artificial grass has a backing that consists of two parts: primary and secondary backing.

The primary backing is composed of a woven polypropylene netting or grid that the yarn fibers are tufted into in rows.

In order to lock the rows of turf fibers in place, the secondary backing is added to the back side of the grid, usually in the form of a rubber coating.

Together, the primary and secondary backing make up the “back weight.”

The back weight does not include the weight of the actual turf fibers or thatch fibers.

To ensure you’re getting the most durable pet turf product, look for turf products with a back weight of 26+ oz.

Antimicrobial & UV-Protection

Modern turf products are equipped with features that offer protection and enhance the longevity and functionality of the turf.

For example, adding UV-Protection to the fiber and backing materials during the manufacturing process will help prolong the life of the turf and prevent product degradation.

An increasingly popular feature on pet turf products is antimicrobial protection that’s infused into the fiber and backing materials during manufacturing.

Antimicrobial technology becomes a part of the artificial grass and helps to prevent the buildup of odors and bacteria.

This is especially valuable on fake grass for dogs because it helps to combat the buildup of odors from dog urine.

Because they’re infused into the products, these features remain for the life of the turf product and won’t wash away or wear off over time.

Why Should I Install Fake Grass for Dogs?

For most homeowners, especially here in Texas, maintaining a lush, green natural grass lawn is just about impossible.

It requires a significant investment of energy, time, and money to maintain a beautiful landscape.

Bring a dog or two into the mix and you’ll have quite the challenge on your hands.

The high nitrogen levels in dog urine wreak havoc on natural grass, resulting in unsightly brown dog urine spots.

Your struggles are only exacerbated if Fido enjoys digging holes everywhere or running on the same path wearing ruts into your lawn.

Keeping up with the Sysifean task of maintaining a natural grass lawn while your dog or dogs happily thwart your every effort is too much for most busy dog owners. 

That is why more and more dog owners are turning to pet-friendly artificial grass to replace their natural grass.

If you’ve considered making the switch to fake grass for dogs, you likely have some questions.

• Is pet turf safe for dogs and my kids?
• How much does fake grass for dogs cost?
• Is artificial grass eco-friendly?
• How does pet turf drain dog urine?
• How do you clean & maintain pet turf?

If you’re on the fence about installing pet-friendly artificial grass for your pup, read on.

We’ll answer all of the questions you have about fake grass for dogs and provide you with the knowledge and information that you need to make an informed decision.

We also provide a list of our recommendations for the best fake grass for dogs from several brands.

Is Artificial Grass Safe for Dogs & Kids?

For most dog owners, safety is a primary concern for their dogs, which is completely understandable.

You can rest easy knowing that modern artificial grass products are 100% safe for both pets and children.

In fact, synthetic grass is generally safer than natural grass, as evidenced by its proliferation as a ground cover in schools, daycares, and children’s play areas.

A common misconception about artificial grass is that it contains lead and harmful chemicals.

While this may have been true several decades ago, modern turf manufacturers have eliminated lead and other harmful materials from the manufacturing process.

Improvements in manufacturing and materials technology have resulted in synthetic grass products that are safer than ever before—certainly safer than chemically treated natural grass.

In 2008, major artificial turf manufacturers entered into agreements with the Center for Environmental Health (CEH)​ to make sure that manufactured turf would no longer pose this health concern.

American manufacturers know and understand that the safety of turf products is of the utmost importance to their customers. 

In 2016, The Synthetic Turf Council of American turf manufacturers voluntarily complied with the standards of the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) to eliminate heavy metals from their products to protect young athletes. 

To ensure that you’re getting high-quality turf products that are safe for children and pets, choose an artificial turf installer that’s reputable and trustworthy.

This does not necessarily mean that all existing artificial turf is safe for pets – or safe for children.

The cheap, low-quality turf products that you can find on Amazon and other online retailers are often manufactured overseas where regulations are less strict and are often ignored altogether.

If you have synthetic grass in your yard that was installed before moving in and is of unknown origin, you should consider having the lead levels tested.

Is Artificial Grass Eco-Friendly?

People often assume that because artificial grass is made of synthetic materials it has to be bad for the environment, but this simply isn’t true.

By installing a pet-friendly artificial grass lawn, you’ll not only save time and money on maintenance but you’ll also be lowering your carbon footprint.

Unlike natural grass, synthetic grass doesn’t need to be mowed regularly—eliminating the gas-powered equipment that wreaks havoc on the environment.

According to statistics from the Department of Transportation, American lawn-care equipment consumes just under 3 billion gallons of gas annually.

In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that homeowners spill about 17 million gallons of gas per year just refueling their lawnmowers.

All of that spilled fuel has to go somewhere, and it often gets soaked up by the ground where it can contaminate groundwater.

The fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals that are used to help natural grass grow are potentially hazardous to your children’s and pets’ health.

Synthetic dog turf doesn’t require any of those chemicals and will still remain green, lush, and full year-round.

So yes, artificial grass is eco-friendly, especially when compared to natural grass and all that it requires to stay green.

Where Can I Install Fake Grass for Dogs?

While we cover the benefits of installing fake grass for dogs a little later in this post, one of the biggest is its versatility for residential and commercial applications.

You’re limited only by your imagination.

Artificial grass can be installed indoors and outdoors, between pavers, in swimming pool areas, on rooftops, decks & patios, just to name a few. 

The most popular places where we install pet turf for clients are:

• Side & Backyards
• Dog Runs
• Patios & Porches
• Dog Parks
• Pet Areas in Apartment Complexes

Because it doesn’t need sunlight or heavy equipment to mow, artificial grass can be installed in small patches or to cover large areas.

The best part is that it will always look like a perfectly trimmed and maintained piece of natural grass.

Real Grass vs. Fake Grass for Dogs

Comparing real grass vs. fake grass for dogs isn’t exactly comparing apples to apples.

While they may look and feel the same, the differences in overall pet-friendliness are pretty significant.

If you’re assuming that real grass is safer or more pet-friendly than synthetic grass—you’d be wrong.

Natural grass may provide a cool, springy, living ground cover but when compared to pet turf, it’s a no-brainer.

The biggest difference between the two is the maintenance requirements.

Real grass requires you to spend hours each month mowing, edging, weeding, watering, and fertilizing.

The negative environmental impact of natural grass is three-pronged: water, emissions, and chemicals.

Maintaining natural grass here in Texas requires extraordinary volumes of water, most of which ends up wasted as runoff or evaporation.

You’ll have to regularly mow and edge your lawn using gas-powered lawn care equipment that spews more carbon emissions in one hour than eleven cars.

Your pup can be exposed to potentially harmful chemicals in the fertilizers and herbicides used to keep your lawn looking healthy.

Artificial grass may not have the same natural coolness as real grass, but that’s a relatively small price to pay.

By installing pet-friendly artificial grass in your yard, you can avoid all of the problems that commonly burden natural grass lawns:

• Brown Dog Urine Spots 
• Holes From Digging
• Annoying Pests like Bugs/Ticks/Fleas
• Muddy Paw Prints

When it comes to maintaining a vibrant, smooth, attractive lawn, fake grass for dogs is head and shoulders above real grass.

Pet-friendly artificial grass does require an upfront investment to install.

Below, we’ll look at the cost of fake grass for dogs, as well as the potential savings in water and maintenance costs.

How Much Does Fake Grass for Dogs Cost?

Installing pet turf requires an upfront investment, but it will pay for itself in a few years and save you money on watering and maintenance.

On average, artificial grass costs anywhere from $6 to $20 per square foot.

The cost of installing fake grass for dogs is influenced by a number of factors: 

• Project/Installation Size
• Pet Turf Product Chosen
• Amount of Pre-Installation Site Prep
• Type of Infill Chosen
• Materials

While there are other factors that will influence how much fake grass for dogs costs, the above are the most significant factors.

Let’s look at a few sources to see how much artificial grass costs on average, including labor and materials.

• Fixr.com: $3,000 – $7,500
• Lawn Starter: $3,104 – $7,245
• HomeGuide: $3,207 – $6,990
• HomeAdvisor: $2,942 – $7,483

The above numbers are for the installation of an average turf product and as you’ll learn in this guide, pet-friendly artificial grass is of higher quality and equipped with additional features.

For a quality pet turf installation, you can expect the price to start around $8 – $10 per sq. ft. 

Generally, larger spaces will have a lower cost per square foot, as there is less material waste.

If you’d like to learn more about the cost of artificial grass or find out how much your installation will cost, we published a detailed guide about artificial grass costs.

While the above numbers may seem extreme, allow me to put them into context for you.

Artificial grass installations are made to last for 15 – 25+ years, and after the initial installation, it will cost you next to nothing.

You can expect to see a return on your investment within 4 to 6 years, which means a decade or two of saving time and money you’d otherwise have wasted on maintaining a natural grass lawn.

A natural grass lawn, whether new or established will necessitate the purchase of expensive gas-powered lawn care equipment.

Your mowers, edgers, and any other equipment will need to be fueled up regularly and maintained.

Aerating, fertilizing, or using pesticides will be another expense you’ll have to contend with.

Let’s take a look at how much you can expect to save on water and maintenance costs over the life of a pet turf installation.

Water Costs & Savings

According to the EPA, nationwide, landscape irrigation is estimated to account for nearly one-third of all residential water use, totaling nearly 9 billion gallons per day!

An average American family uses around 320 gallons of water per day, of which about 30% is devoted to outdoor uses.

In dry climates, like here in Texas, a household’s outdoor water use can be as high as 60%!

More than half of the water used outdoors is devoted to watering lawns and gardens.

The worst part is that some experts estimate that up to 50% of the water used for irrigation is wasted due to evaporation, wind, or runoff from inefficient irrigation systems and methods.

With artificial grass, you don’t have to waste water struggling in vain to maintain a lush, green lawn.

You can save hundreds of dollars each year and more importantly help conserve an increasingly scarce resource that won’t be fully appreciated until it’s already gone.

Maintenance Costs & Savings

One of the biggest benefits of synthetic grass lawns is the ease of maintenance.

According to People Powered Machines, you’ll no longer need to join the approximately 54 million Americans that mow their lawns each weekend.

That means you won’t need your lawn mower, edger, or other expensive landscaping equipment—thereby freeing up space in your garage or shed.

Or you can say goodbye to your landscaper and the monthly landscaping bill.

Have you added up the costs, both real and time costs of maintaining a beautiful natural grass lawn?

The table below compares the ongoing maintenance costs of artificial grass vs. natural grass for a 1,000-square-foot yard.

	Artificial Grass	Natural Grass [Sod]
Installation [1,000 sq. ft. yard]	$9.80 per sq. ft.	$6.75 per sq. ft.
Installation Total	$9,800	$6,750
Mowing [25x annually]	N/A	$1,250
Aeration [1x annually]	N/A	$120
Fertilizing [3x annually]	N/A	$90
Herbicide [3x annually]	N/A	$105
Sprinkler Repair [1x annually]	N/A	$100
Water [$65 per month]	N/A	$390
Power Broom [1x annually]	$125	N/A
Replenish Infill [1x annually]	$100	N/A
Yearly Maintenance Total	$225	$2,055
Total After 4 Years	$10,700	$14,970
Total After 8 Years	$11,600	$17,025
Total After 12 Years	$12,500	$19,080
Total After 25 Years	$15,425	$58,125

Although artificial grass costs more upfront, the annual maintenance costs for natural grass are an order of magnitude larger.

Taking the initial installation cost and ongoing maintenance into account, we see an ROI in only 4 years.

The disparity in the numbers continues to grow the longer we project out.

After 25 years, which is the upper end of the life expectancy of quality turf products, natural grass has cost $58,125 to install and maintain.

Time Savings

According to the Chicago Tribune, the average American spends over 70 hours on lawn and garden care each year!

That’s almost two full work weeks! 

Installing pet-friendly artificial grass would give you an extra two weeks of free time to spend with your family, friends, or fido!

You could spend your weekends sitting on your porch waving to your neighbors as they struggle through the relentless Texas sun to mow their lawns.

What Are The Pros & Cons of Installing Fake Grass for Dogs?

Homeowners throughout Texas and across the U.S. are recognizing and enjoying the benefits of artificial grass for dogs.

Whether you install pet turf in a dog run, designated pet area, dog kennel, or your entire backyard—the benefits are numerous.

That said, it’s not all peaches and rainbows when you install pet-friendly artificial grass.

Below we’ll address the pros and cons of installing fake grass for dogs.

PROS: Advantages of Installing Fake Grass for Dogs

Below are some of the biggest benefits of installing fake grass for dogs:

• Easy-To-Clean & Maintain
• Lowers Your Carbon Footprint
• Eliminates Brown Dog Urine Spots
• Cost-Effective
• Saves Water
• Saves Time
• Eliminates Pests [Bugs, Ticks, Fleas, etc.]
• Prevents Muddy Paw Prints

With all of the time and energy, you’ll save on maintaining a natural grass lawn, you’ll be able to spend more time doing the things you love with your family, friends, or pups.

Homeowners aren’t the only ones that can benefit from installing a pet-friendly ground cover.

Doggy daycares, kennels, veterinarians, and training facilities often use pet turf for indoor and outdoor applications because of how easy it is to maintain and how durable it is.

Dog parks in cities and apartment complexes install faux dog turf for many of the same reasons.

The durability of pet-friendly artificial grass enables it to withstand the heavy paw traffic of multiple dogs day in and day out without any dead patches, ruts, or holes like you’d find on real grass.

To learn more about the advantages of installing pet-friendly turf, check out our post about artificial grass benefits.

CONS: Disadvantages of Installing Fake Grass for Dogs

Fake grass for dogs offers home and business owners a number of benefits, but there are some disadvantages that you should be aware of.

Below are some of the disadvantages of installing fake grass for dogs:

• Heats Up in Direct Sunlight
• Odors from Dog Urine
• Requires Upfront Investment

Although the first two are disadvantages, there are ways to combat both of these on your pet turf.

In fact, you can kill two birds with one stone by using T°Cool™ Infill on your fake grass for dogs.

T°Cool’s Evaporative Cooling Infill keeps the surface of the turf 30° – 50°  degrees cooler than typical infill, making it a safer choice for homes with pets. 

It’s also coated with antimicrobial protection which will help to kill bacteria and prevent the buildup of odors.

How To Clean & Maintain Pet-Friendly Artificial Grass

As mentioned several times throughout this blog post, the biggest benefit of artificial grass is the low maintenance requirements.

Maintaining pet turf does require a little more attention on your part to ensure a safe and clean environment for your pup.

Once installed artificial turf maintenance could be better described as rinsing and tidying up.

You don’t have to worry about mowing, edging, fertilizing, or watering and you’ll still enjoy a lush, green, natural-looking lawn.

So, what exactly is required to clean and maintain fake grass for dogs?

Daily Pet Turf Cleaning & Maintenance

Check your pet turf installation for solid waste at least once a day.

Removing solid waste from your pet turf is as simple and straightforward as it is on natural grass.

In fact, it might be easier because of the relatively short pile height on pet-friendly turf products and the density of the turf fibers.

These two features of pet turf help to keep solid waste sitting on the surface of the turf.

You can clean up after your pup with a plastic bag or pooper scooper.

If you do happen to have some solid waste become trapped in the blades of your synthetic turf, spray it with a mild detergent cleaner, let it sit for a moment, and then wipe thoroughly.

While inspecting the turf for waste, keep an eye out for any debris or objects that could harm your dog or damage the turf and remove it.

Pro Tip: Allow solid waste to dry and solidify a little before cleaning it up to help prevent it from sticking to the turf fibers.

Weekly & Monthly Pet Turf Cleaning & Maintenance

The frequency of the cleaning and maintenance tasks below will depend on the size of your pet turf installation, the number of dogs using the area, and the size of the dogs.

If you have several large dogs, then you’ll need to be a little more attentive to your pet-friendly artificial grass.

• Spray it down with the hose to ensure that the ammonia from pet urine doesn’t build up and cause odors.
• Spray the entire backyard or dog run with a commercial or homemade urine odor deodorizer.
• An effective deodorizer can be made at home by mixing 50% vinegar with 50% clear water.
• Let the deodorizer dry on the surface – no need to rinse it off.
• Once it has dried, use a stiff-bristled push broom to fluff up the turf fibers. This keeps it looking naturally beautiful.

Do not use acidic or alcohol-based cleaners on your synthetic grass, as it can harm the fibers. 

Annual Pet Turf Cleaning & Maintenance

It might be helpful to think of the annual cleaning and maintenance of your pet turf as spring cleaning or a yearly refresh.

As long as you’re keeping up with the weekly and monthly pet turf cleaning and maintenance tasks, you really only have one thing to do each year—replenish the infill material.

The infill material acts as a ballast, weighing down the artificial grass and preventing it from shifting, while also providing a layer of cushion when you walk on it.

By settling in between the turf’s fibers, the infill helps the fibers stand upright and return to an upright position after being exposed to pressure.

Replenishing the infill material may only be necessary every 18 or 24 months depending on the level of activity and foot traffic your faux dog turf is exposed to.

Contact your pet turf installer to see if they can check your infill level and advise you on replenishing it.

What To Look For When Picking Artificial Grass for Dogs

So, now that you know more than you ever thought possible about fake grass for dogs, let’s delve into what you should be looking for when picking a pet turf product.

Not all synthetic grass is created equal and different brands offer multiple tiers of pet turf, which can get a little confusing and overwhelming.

We want to make sure that you’re equipped with the knowledge and information necessary to choose the best artificial grass for you and your pup.

Below is a brief overview of the most important features to be on the lookout for when picking artificial grass for dogs.

Drainage

When looking for artificial pet turf, the most important feature to look out for is drainage.

Every artificial grass has a “Backing” and that backing is where water and pet urine go to drain into the sub-base below. 

The two most common types of backing are:

• Fully Permeable (or non-perforated) 
• Hole-Punch (or perforated)

Below we’ll provide an overview of the two types of backings or drainage systems that you’ll encounter on artificial turf products.

Hole Punched Backing

Hole-punched backing or perforated backing is a series of small holes spaces 4” – 6” apart over the backing of artificial grass.

The holes act like a colander, allowing liquid to drain out the holes and into the soil. 

The average hole-punched backing allows liquid to drain at a rate of 50 inches of water per hour or more. 

Although it’s the least expensive type of backing available, it’s not recommended for applications involving dogs.

Dog urine can settle between the holes resulting in a buildup of odors and bacteria.

Unless you’re hosing down your yard daily, it’s all too easy for urine and its accompanying odors to build up in your artificial grass. 

Fully Permeable Backing

On pet-friendly artificial grass, the best type of “Backing” is fully permeable or non-perforated.

A 100% permeable backing allows liquids to pass through any point in the turf so it can drain into the sub-base below.

The drainage rate on fully permeable backings is a lot more efficient, draining at a rate of 500+ inches of water per hour. 

This is also a much better choice for pet owners as urine will drain away quicker and more completely than it does in a hole-punched product. 

Face Weight & Pile Height

Face weight is a measure of the amount of fiber material used on your turf per square yard.

Generally, turf products with a higher face weight are more durable.

Look for a heavier face weight to ensure you’re getting artificial grass that will stand up to time and heavy traffic.

Pile height is the length of the turf fibers and most quality pet turf products will have a pile height of around 1 inch.

A one-inch pile height provides plenty of padding under your foot or fido’s paw, while also making it easier to clean up solid waste.

Sub-Base

The sub-base may not be part of the artificial grass itself, but it plays a critical role in the proper functioning and longevity of your pet turf.

Check with your installer to see what type of material they use for the sub-base on pet-friendly turf installations.

The most efficient and best-performing sub-base in our experience is Class II Road Base with Decomposed Granite.

Once compacted, this sub-base quickly absorbs dog urine allowing it to drain into the soil below.

You may also want to make sure that your installer doesn’t use a “Weed Barrier” on your installation.

The weed barrier basically becomes a sponge for dog urine, which as you can imagine doesn’t smell very pleasant.

Infill Material

Infill materials come in several forms like rubber, ceramic, silica sand, etc., and will vary depending on the turf application, turf product, and installer.

The infill plays two important roles in turf installations, acting as a ballast to help keep the turf in place and mimicking the soil between grass blades, keeping them upright and springy.

For applications involving dogs and pets, select an infill option that is antimicrobial to help combat odors.

I recommend checking out T°Cool® Infill, which helps cool the surface of your pet turf installation by 30° – 50° F through the process of evaporative cooling.

It absorbs moisture from rain, morning dew, the hose when you rinse your turf, etc., and slowly releases it which helps keep your turf cool for your pups’ paws.

Look for varieties that are non-toxic to pets, in case of accidental ingestion.

Another great infill option for pet-friendly turf installations is Envirofill which is the original antimicrobial infill, so they’ve withstood the test of time.

Avoid using regular sand infill on your installation, as the particles tend to clump together, causing a buildup of odors from dog urine.

Warranty

Look for turf products with a manufacturer’s warranty and also ask your installer what type of installation warranty they offer.

A good warranty is a good indicator of a manufacturer’s willingness to stand behind its product.

Be careful of warranties that sound too good to be true, like a “Lifetime Warranty.”

While a lifetime warranty may sound amazing, consider for a second why or how a manufacturer can offer this when they market the lifetime of their products as 15 – 20 years.

It doesn’t make sense to offer a lifetime warranty on something that you didn’t manufacture to last a lifetime.

Just be careful, and remember that if something sounds too good to be true—it probably is.

Antimicrobial Protection

One of the best features found in an increasing number of pet-friendly artificial grass products is antimicrobial protection.

Antimicrobial additives are infused into the turf fibers and backing during the manufacturing process.

This antimicrobial protection will last the lifetime of the turf product and won’t wash off or wear away over time.

It’s a great feature on pet-friendly artificial turf because it helps to prevent the buildup of mold, mildew, and odor-causing bacteria.

UV-Protection / UV-Stabilizers

If your artificial grass will be exposed to direct sunlight a lot, it’s important to ensure that it has been equipped with UV-Protection.

One of the biggest enemies of artificial grass is sun damage. 

Synthetic turf is exposed to the sun every day, and (in cheaper products) discoloration can occur over time. 

However, some artificial grass has built-in resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light. 

UV protection keeps artificial grass from fading in the sun. 

What’s more, it prevents the backing from breaking down which results in the grass fibers coming out of the turf where they can be ingested by children or pets. 

By selecting a turf with UV protection, you will prolong the life of your artificial grass lawn.

What’s the Best Fake Grass for Dogs?

While we may have an opinion on the matter of what the best fake grass for dogs is—this guide is meant to provide you with information objectively.

Our aim is to empower you with the facts and knowledge that you’ll need to make an informed decision regarding fake grass for dogs.

Below, you’ll find a few pet turf products that meet our recommendations for what to look for when picking artificial grass for dogs.

Also, bear in mind that the “Best” artificial pet turf will be different for everyone and depends entirely on the needs of your pup, family, property, and budget.

Here are a few of the best pet-friendly artificial grass products on the market today.

Wrapping Up Our Complete Guide To Fake Grass for Dogs

Due to its low maintenance profile, lack of harmful chemical treatments, and long-term durability, fake grass for dogs is a win all around.

If you are ready to get started, we recommend you explore our website a bit. 

There are a lot of specifics to understand about fake grass for dogs, and artificial grass in general.

The first step to creating a low-maintenance, pet-friendly lawn is to educate yourself about the many features and options available. 

Learn about: 

• Turf Drainage
• Infill Options
• Antimicrobial Technology
• Installation Process
• Maintenance & Cleaning
• Measuring a Space for Turf
• Artificial Grass Cost

We have pet turf products for every situation, free quotes, and world-class customer support.

Let’s get an expert on your side to help you put together the perfect installation plan. 

We have teams of the best artificial grass installers in Texas. 

At Arlington Turf Installers, we are happy to help you explore this decision by answering any questions you might have.

Get your FREE fake grass for dogs installation estimate by Clicking Here or give us a call at 682-332-7122.