With artificial grass becoming more and more popular, we have gotten huge amount of pet-specific questions from those who have fluffy loved ones. Take a look at some of the most frequent questions we get regarding artificial turf for dogs in Pittsburgh.
IS IT SAFE FOR DOGS?
Yes! Synthetic grass is harmless to pets — cats and dogs alike. Pet turf is made to be much more durable than both regular grass and conventional synthetic turf. You won’t need harmful pesticides or fertilizers, either, so you won’t need to be concerned about those chemicals like you would with organic turf. Dogs can be allergic 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 real difference here is the cleaning process is simple for you. It is much simpler to clean pet waste off synthetic turf, and the grass won’t fade or become stained from dog urine or feces. Southwest Greens pet turf is manufactured with a sophisticated backing system under the surface that encourages urine and other fluids to drain more efficiently than natural turf. 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 take care of any residual waste.
WILL IT STINK FROM DOG URINE?
Synthetic grass is odorless, so if any smells do occur, it’s usually caused by dog urine specifically. Many pets prefer to use one area of the lawn to do their business, so from time-to-time, a little odor can build-up. Southwest Greens turf system is antimicrobial, which tends to cut down on the odor, but there are things you can do to make sure no smells ramain. We advise you use a solution of equal parts water and vinegar to spray Fido’s favorite restroom area. Let it dry to remove any lingering odor.
CAN DOGS DAMAGE ARTIFICIAL GRASS?
Because synthetic grass is created to withstdand heavy, constant use, it makes it very difficult for dogs to damage. Digging is practically impossible for them on artificial grass. Long gone are the days of dirty paw prints being tracked into your house as well!
DO FLEAS AND TICKS LIVE IN ARTIFICIAL TURF?
Because synthetic grass is made from a non-organic material, it is extremely difficult for fleas, ticks, and other pests to survive in the grass. While we can’t promise that your lawn will be 100% flea-free, you can be assured that they will be mostly eliminated. Because there’s no soil to support their nesting, but you must watch out for any build-up of leaves or debris that might make a good breeding environment for fleas and ticks. As long as you clean your artificial lawn regularly, there will be rarely any pests.
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN ARTIFICIAL GRASS FOR DOGS?
Make sure to clean feces as soon as possible to remove any stink. To keep everything clean and looking great, we advise you hose the turf down every week. This will help keep your lawn from smelling bad. Dispose of any leaf or other loose debris to safeguard your yard unfavorablefor fleas and ticks.
HOW MUCH DOES SYNTHETIC TURF COST?
This will largely depend on your project, so it’s difficult to provide you an precise estimate. Some of the 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 synthetic grass products you're thinking of purchasing
- How much work needs to be done (get rid of old turf, even out the surface, etc.)
Be cautious with contractors who offer you a fixed cost of the project, in spite of how much work it involves. This is usually a tell-tale sign that they aren’t using high-quality materials.
HOW LONG WILL ARTIFICIAL TURF LAST?
Pet turf is estimated to last somewhere between 10-20 years, depending on use. Southwest Greens's earliest installations are 20 years old and have maintained the rich green color and consistency of genuine turf. Our UV-resistant synthetic turf products look and function like new because they are created to withstand heavy traffic, challenging weather 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.