With synthetic grass becoming more and more popular, we have recently had numerous pet-specific queries from those who have furry loved ones. Check out some of the most frequent questions we get about synthetic turf for dogs in Detroit and all of Michigan.
IS IT SAFE FOR DOGS?
Yes! Artificial turf is safe for pets — canine and feline alike. Pet turf is developed to be much more resilient than both regular turf and conventional artificial turf. You won’t need harsh pesticides or fertilizers, either, so you won’t need to be concerned about those chemicals like you would with real turf. Dogs can be sensitive to grass pollen, so when you make the shift to synthetic, you might even see Fido encounter fewer allergies, too.
HOW DO YOU CLEAN UP PET WASTE?
Canine can use the grass as their bathroom like they already know how to do — the big difference here is the clean-up process is painless for you. It is much easier to clean pet waste off synthetic grass, and the grass won’t lose color or become stained from pet urine or feces. Southwest Greens pet turf is created with an advanced backing system under the surface that helps urine and other liquids to drain more effectively than natural grass. For solid waste, simply let it dry a little before clean-up for best results. If you’re left with stains, a quick spray with the hose will remove any remaining waste.
WILL IT STINK FROM DOG URINE?
Artificial turf has no scent, so if any smells do occur, it’s probably caused by dog urine specifically. Many pets prefer to use one area of the lawn to do their business, so occassionally, you can get a little more of a build-up of odor. Southwest Greens turf system is antimicrobial, which will reduce the odor, but there are things you can do to make sure no smells linger. We recommend you use a solution of even parts water and vinegar to spray Fido’s favorite bathroom area. Let it dry to eliminate any dawdling odor.
CAN DOGS DAMAGE ARTIFICIAL GRASS?
Because artificial turf is created to endure heavy, recurring use, it makes it very difficult for dogs to destroy. Digging is almost impossible for them on artificial turf. Gone will be the days of muddy paw prints being tracked into your house as well!
DO FLEAS AND TICKS LIVE IN SYNTHETIC TURF?
Because synthetic grass is made from and inorganic material, it is very difficult for fleas, ticks, and other pests to live in the turf. While we can’t promise that your yard will be 100% pest-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 look out for any accumulation of leaves or debris that might make a good breeding environment for fleas and ticks. As long as you clean your synthetic lawn consistently, there will be barely any pests.
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN ARTIFICIAL TURF FOR DOGS?
Make sure to remove waste as soon as possible to eliminate any smell. 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 keep your backyard unfavorablefor fleas and ticks.
HOW MUCH DOES SYNTHETIC TURF COST?
This will heavily depend on your specific project, so it’s challenging to offer an accurate estimate. A few factors that might affect the price are:
- Size/dimensions of the area being transformed from regular turf to synthetic
- Complexity of design and layout you want to install
- Type of artificial grass products you're thinking of purchasing
- How much work needs to be done (pull out old turf, even out the surface, etc.)
Be cautious with contractors who offer you a fixed price for a project, in spite of how much work it involves. This is usually a good sign that they aren’t employing 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 healthy green color and consistency of real turf. Our UV-resistant artificial turf products look and function like new because they are developed to withstand heavy traffic, challenging weather conditions, and temperature fluctuations for year round use. All installations come bundled with a one-year workmanship warranty and a manufacturer's warranty that covers fading.