With synthetic grass becoming increasingly popular, we have been asked huge amount of pet-specific queries from those who have four-legged loved ones. Check out a few of the most frequent questions we get about artificial turf for dogs in Los Angeles and Southern California.
IS IT SAFE FOR DOGS?
Yes! Synthetic turf is harmless to pets — cats and dogs alike. Pet turf is made to be much more resilient than both regular grass and conventional artificial grass. You won’t need harsh pesticides or fertilizers, either, so you won’t be exposed to those chemicals like you would with real grass. Dogs can be sensitive to grass pollen, so when you make the change to artificial, you might even see Fido experience fewer allergies, too.
HOW DO YOU CLEAN UP PET WASTE?
Pets can use the grass as their bathroom like they already know how to do — the big difference here is the clean-up process is simple for you. It is much simpler to remove pet waste off synthetic grass, and the turf won’t fade or become stained from dog urine or feces. Southwest Greens pet turf is created with an advanced backing system under its surface that allows urine and other fluids to drain more efficiently than natural grass. For solid waste, simply let it dry a little before clean-up for best results. If you’re left with marks, a quick splash with the hose will eliminate any remaining waste.
WILL IT STINK FROM DOG URINE?
Artificial turf is odorless, so if any smells do occur, it’s typically caused by dog urine specifically. Many pets favor to use one area of the lawn to do their business, so from time-to-time, you can get a little more of a build-up of odor. Southwest Greens turf system is antimicrobial, which tends to reduce the smell, but there are things you can do to make sure no smells linger. We recommend you use a solution of one-to-one parts water and vinegar to spray Fido’s favorite restroom area. Let it dry to remove any dawdling smell.
CAN PETS DAMAGE SYNTHETIC TURF?
Because artificial turf is developed to endure heavy, constant use, it makes it very difficult for dogs to damage. Digging is almost impossible for them on artificial grass. No more muddy paw prints being tracked into your house as well!
DO FLEAS AND TICKS LIVE IN SYNTHETIC TURF?
Because artificial grass is made from a non-organic material, it is extremely difficult for fleas, ticks, and other pests to survive in the turf. While we can’t promise that your lawn will be 100% flea-free, you can count on the fact that they will be mostly eliminated. Because there’s no dirt to support their nesting, but you must watch out for any piling of leaves or debris that might make a good breeding environment for fleas and ticks. As long as you clean your synthetic yard regularly, there will be rarely any pests.
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN SYNTHETIC TURF FOR PETS?
Be sure to remove waste as soon as possible to remove any stink. To keep everything clean and looking great, we advise you hose the grass down weekly. This will help keep your lawn from smelling bad. Get rid of any leaf or other loose debris to protect your yard unfavorablefor fleas and ticks.
HOW MUCH DOES SYNTHETIC GRASS COST?
This will largely depend on your specific project, so it’s difficult to provide you an accurate estimate. The following factors that might affect the price are:
- Size/dimensions of the area being transformed from natural grass to artificial
- Inticracy of design and layout you want to put in place
- Kind of artificial turf products you're thinking of purchasing
- How much work needs to be done (get rid of old grass, even out the surface, etc.)
Be cautious with contractors who give you a set cost of the project, in spite of how much work it involves. This is usually a good sign that they aren’t utilizing high-quality materials.
HOW LONG WILL ARTIFICIAL TURF LAST?
Pet turf is estimated to last from 10 to 20 years, depending on use. Southwest Greens's earliest installations are 20 years old and have maintained the rich green color and consistency of genuine grass. Our UV-resistant artificial turf products look and work like new because they are created to withstand heavy traffic, challenging climate conditions, and temperature fluctuations for year round use. All installations come complete with a one-year workmanship warranty and a manufacturer's warranty that covers fading.