With synthetic turf becoming more and more popular, we have been asked numerous pet-specific queries from those who have fluffy loved ones. Explore a few of the most frequent questions we get about artificial grass for dogs in Huntsville.
IS IT SAFE FOR DOGS?
Yes! Synthetic grass is harmless to pets — canine and feline alike. Pet turf is made to be much more durable than both natural grass and traditional artificial 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 grass. Your pooch can be allergic to grass pollen, so when you make the shift to synthetic, you might even see Fido experience fewer allergies, too.
HOW DO YOU DISPOSE OF PET WASTE?
Canine can use the grass as their bathroom like they instinctively know how to do — the real difference here is the cleaning process is painless for you. It is much simpler to clean pet waste off artificial grass, and the turf won’t lose color or become stained from pet urine or feces. Southwest Greens pet turf is created with a sophisticated backing system under the surface that encourages urine and other liquids to drain more effectively than natural grass. For solid waste, simply let it dry a little before removal for best results. If you’re left with stains, a quick spray with the hose will take care of any remaining waste.
WILL IT SMELL BAD FROM DOG URINE?
Synthetic turf is odorless, so if any smells do occur, it’s typically caused by dog urine specifically. Many dogs prefer to use a specific area of the backyard to do their business, so from time-to-time, a little odor can build-up. Southwest Greens turf system is antimicrobial, which helps reduce the smell, but there are things you can do to make sure no smells linger. We advise you use a solution of even parts water and vinegar to spray Fido’s favorite bathroom area. Let it dry to destroy any lingering odor.
CAN PETS DAMAGE ARTIFICIAL GRASS?
Because synthetic turf is created to withstdand heavy, repetitive use, it makes it very difficult for dogs to destroy. Digging is virtually impossible for them on artificial turf. No more dirty paw prints being tracked into your house as well!
DO FLEAS AND TICKS LIVE IN ARTIFICIAL GRASS?
Because artificial grass is made from and inorganic material, it is extremely difficult for fleas, ticks, and other pests to survive in the turf. While we can’t promise that your yard will be 100% flea-free, you can count on the fact 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 create a good breeding environment for fleas and ticks. As long as you clean your artificial lawn regularly, there will be barely any pests.
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN ARTIFICIAL TURF FOR DOGS?
Make sure to clean waste as soon as possible to eliminate any odors. To keep everything neat and looking great, we advise you hose the grass down weekly. This will help keep your lawn odor free. Remove any leaf or other loose debris to protect your lawn unfavorablefor fleas and ticks.
HOW MUCH DOES SYNTHETIC GRASS COST?
This will largely depend on your project, so it’s challenging to provide you 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 put in place
- Type of synthetic grass products you're looking to get
- How much work needs to be done (pull out old grass, even out the surface, etc.)
Tread cautiously with contractors who give 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 employing high-quality materials.
HOW LONG WILL ARTIFICIAL TURF LAST?
Pet turf is estimated to last between 10-20 years, depending on use. Southwest Greens's oldest installations are 20 years old and have maintained the healthy green color and texture of natural turf. Our UV-resistant artificial turf products look and function like new because they are engineered to endure heavy traffic, harsh climate conditions, and temperature fluctuations for all-year use. All installations come bundled with a one-year workmanship warranty and a manufacturer's warranty that covers fading.