Artificial grass for dogs

Are you thinking about buying artificial grass for your garden, but you’re not sure if it’s the best decision for your furry friend? Are you worried about artificial grass being safe for your dog? Are you concerned about cleaning up after your dog when they do their business on your artificial lawn?

We’re here to lay your anxieties to rest with some solid facts about artificial grass and dogs, and to give you some tips on finding a dog-friendly artificial grass. And trust us, we know what we’re talking about! We have what can only be described as a harem of dogs here at the Select showroom, all of whom love frolicking around on our artificial grass.

Artificial grass is actually great for dogs for a number of reasons. Many dogs suffer from grass allergies, which can lead to all sorts of unpleasant symptoms such as digestive issues, excessive scratching, fur loss, poor skin, runny eyes and nose, and hives. So if your pooch is unlucky enough to have a grass allergy, an artificial lawn is the perfect solution.

Furthermore, an artificial lawn actually makes it easier to clean up those doggy do-dos, and because artificial grass is so incredibly low-maintenance, you’ll have even more free time to spend playing with your pets rather than mowing the lawn.

Can dogs pee and poo on artificial grass?

Yes, absolutely! Your dog can perform his or her toilet duties on artificial grass just as they would on regular grass. With dog wee, you have nothing to worry about; it will naturally just wash away with the next rainfall - and let’s face it, here in the UK, you won’t have to wait for long! You can, of course, hose urine away if we’re experiencing a rare dry spell.

You will need to scoop up any dog poos - but because artificial grass doesn’t grow, you will find it a lot easier to find and grab those pesky turds! We recommend hosing the area down afterwards, just to make sure it’s all cleaned off. Remember to always use a doggy bag to collect poos and wash your hands afterwards.

Because natural lawns tend to absorb anything you put on them, artificial lawns are actually safer and more sanitary, because they aren’t absorbent and don’t harbour bacteria. Any waste can be easily cleaned off. If you’re worried about lingering contaminants, simply spray the area with a mix of household vinegar and water.

If you feel the need to deep-clean your artificial lawn, there are easy things you can do. You can use a jet wash, apply a special artificial grass cleaning product, or hire a professional artificial turf cleaner to take care of it for you.

Is artificial grass safe for dogs?

Yes, artificial grass is safe for dogs. As mentioned above, for dogs with allergies, artificial grass can actually be beneficial for their health. But even if your best friend doesn’t suffer from allergies, artificial grass is a safe choice.

Historically, pet owners have had concerns about their dogs being exposed to lead contaminants from artificial turf. However, production and safety standards have vastly improved over the last decade or so, and modern artificial grass carries no risk of lead exposure.

Many people feel that artificial grass must be less safe than regular grass because it’s not natural. However, just think about all the chemicals we spray over our gardens to control weeds and pests. Those chemicals can be harmful to dogs. On the other hand, no chemicals of any kind are needed to keep an artificial lawn looking tip-top, so laying artificial grass can help you avoid using harmful chemicals, weedkillers and pest control, and make your garden more dog-friendly.

Trip hazards can potentially be dangerous for dogs and humans alike. Natural lawns - especially those that haven’t been levelled - conceal all sorts of bumps and dips. If an artificial lawn has been installed properly, the ground-base will have been completely levelled and carefully prepared to ensure the safest possible surface.

If you need help preparing the ground-based for your artificial lawn, we can put you in touch with a local installer we trust to do a great job.

In general, to guarantee that your garden is super safe for all the family, research your supplier to make sure that their grass is responsibly produced. We love our dogs and value their health above all else, so ensuring that our grass is safe for them is of paramount importance to us.

Is fake grass too hot for dogs?

In the summer months when the temperature is very high, artificial grass can get hot to the touch. This can cause discomfort for your pets, who have no protection for their feet.

Other garden features such as sand, alsphalt, rocks and concrete can also absorb a lot of heat from the sun and become uncomfortably hot for your pets.

We recommend testing the temperature of any potentially hot surface with your hand if you're worried about it being too hot for your pets. You can quickly lower the temperature by hosing the surface with cool water.

As we usually only get a few weeks of really hot weather here in the UK, you probably don't need to be too concerned about this most of the year round. However, if your garden is a sun trap, there are a few things you can do to ensure your lawn is comfortable for your pets.

• Create shade by planting a tree, erecting an awning or putting up a portable canopy
• Use a hose or sprinkler system to quickly lower the temperature
• Ensure your pets have access to cool, fresh drinking water

Installing fake grass for dogs

When installing dog-friendly artificial grass, it’s important to follow all of the instructions described in our easy installation guide. One of the most vital steps is ensuring that your artificial grass is firmly secured at the edges and at the joins. This will prevent your dog digging the grass up, and also eliminate potential trip hazards.

If you’re not confident about installing your artificial lawn yourself, we highly recommend getting in touch with one of our approved installers, who will know exactly how to do it. If you go down this route, you can let them know that you have pets, and they will ensure that the lawn is installed properly for them.

What’s the best artificial grass for dogs?

All artificial grass is great for dogs, but certain products are designed specifically with pets in mind. From our range, we have a couple we’d like to recommend. Take a look at the table below to find out all the facts.

One of the most important considerations to bear in mind when choosing a pet-friendly artificial grass is that it will be robust enough to stand up to their play. Unlike with natural grass, your dog will find it much harder to ruin your lawn by digging up large messy holes and pulling up grass with their teeth and claws.

Fortunately, all our artificial grass is made to a high standard that means they can withstand almost any pet-based punishment.

For more advice about choosing the right artificial grass for you, taking care of your artificial grass, or any safety concerns you may have, drop us a line and talk to one of our team.