With artificial grass becoming gradually more popular, we have recently had numerous pet-specific queries from those who have four-legged loved ones. Explore some of the most frequent questions we get about synthetic turf for dogs in Toronto.
IS IT SAFE FOR DOGS?
Yes! Artificial grass is safe for pets — canine and feline alike. Pet turf is developed to be much more resilient than both regular grass and conventional artificial grass. You won’t need harmful pesticides or fertilizers, either, so you won’t have to deal with those chemicals like you would with real grass. Your pooch can be sensitive to grass pollen, so when you make the switch to synthetic, you might even see Fido experience fewer allergies, too.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE 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 painless for you. It is much simpler to remove pet waste off synthetic turf, and the grass won’t lose color or become stained from dog urine or feces. Southwest Greens pet turf is crafted with an advanced backing system under its surface that encourages urine and other liquids to drain more efficiently than natural turf. For solid waste, simply let it dry a little before disposal for best results. If you’re left with spots, a quick spray with the hose will remove any remaining waste.
WILL IT STINK FROM DOG URINE?
Artificial turf is odorless, so if any smells do occur, it’s often 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, you can get a little more of a build-up of odor. 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 linger. We recommend you use a solution of equal parts water and vinegar to spray Fido’s favorite bathroom area. Let it dry to remove any lingering scent.
CAN PETS DAMAGE SYNTHETIC TURF?
Because artificial turf is designed to endure heavy, recurring use, it makes it very difficult for dogs to damage. Digging is practically impossible for them on artificial turf. 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 manufactured from a non-organic material, it is very difficult for fleas, ticks, and other pests to live in the grass. While we can’t guarantee that your yard will be 100% pest-free, you can trust us that they will be mostly eliminated. Because there’s no soil to support their nesting, but you must keep an eye out for any accumulation of leaves or debris that might create a good breeding environment for fleas and ticks. As long as you clean your artificial lawn consistently, there will be barely any pests.
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN ARTIFICIAL TURF FOR PETS?
Make sure to remove feces as soon as possible to stop any stink. To keep everything neat and looking great, we advise you hose the turf down every week. This will help keep your lawn odor free. Get rid of any leaf or other loose debris to safeguard your yard unfavorablefor fleas and ticks.
HOW MUCH DOES SYNTHETIC GRASS COST?
This will largely 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 natural turf to artificial
- Complexity of design and layout you want to install
- Type of artificial turf products you're thinking of purchasing
- How much work needs to be done (pull out old turf, even out the surface, etc.)
Take care with contractors who provide you a fixed price for a project, regardless of how much work it involves. This is usually a revealing sign that they aren’t employing 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 oldest installations are 20 years old and have maintained the rich green color and consistency of natural turf. Our UV-resistant artificial turf products look and work like new because they are developed to endure heavy traffic, challenging 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.