June 06, 2022

With synthetic turf becoming increasingly popular, we have gotten numerous pet-specific queries from those who have four-legged loved ones. Take a look at a few of the most frequent questions we get regarding synthetic turf for dogs in Houston.

IS IT SAFE FOR DOGS?

Yes! Artificial grass is harmless to pets — canine and feline alike. Pet turf is created to be much more durable than both natural turf and conventional synthetic turf. You won’t need harmful pesticides or fertilizers, either, so you won’t be exposed to 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 experience fewer allergies, too.

HOW DO YOU CLEAN UP PET WASTE?

Pets can use the grass as their bathroom like they instinctively know how to do — the only difference here is the clean-up process is simple for you. It is much simpler to remove pet waste off synthetic turf, and the grass won’t fade 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 organic 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 remove any residual waste.

WILL IT SMELL BAD FROM DOG URINE?

Synthetic turf has no scent, so if any smells do occur, it’s probably caused by dog urine specifically. Many dogs prefer to use one particulara particular area of the yard to do their business, so from time-to-time, a little odor can build-up. Southwest Greens turf system is antimicrobial, which helps decrease the odor, but there are things you can do to make sure no smells ramain. We recommend you use a solution of even parts water and vinegar to spray Fido’s favorite restroom area. Let it dry to eliminate any lingering odor.

CAN PETS DAMAGE SYNTHETIC TURF?

Because synthetic turf is developed to withstdand heavy, recurring use, it makes it very difficult for dogs to damage. Digging is practically impossible for them on synthetic turf. No more dirty paw prints being tracked into your house as well!

DO FLEAS AND TICKS LIVE IN SYNTHETIC TURF?

Because synthetic grass is made from a non-organic material, it is very challenging for fleas, ticks, and other pests to survive in the grass. While there is no guarantee that your yard will be 100% pest-free, you can trust us that they will be mostly eliminated. Because there’s no dirt to sustain their nesting, but you must keep an eye 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 rarely any pests.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN ARTIFICIAL GRASS FOR DOGS?

Always be certain to remove feces as soon as possible to eliminate any odors. To keep everything neat and looking great, we suggest you hose the turf down weekly. This will help keep your lawn from smelling bad. Get rid of any leaf or other loose debris to keep your yard unfavorablefor fleas and ticks.

HOW MUCH DOES SYNTHETIC GRASS COST?

This will heavily depend on your project, so it’s challenging to give an exact estimate. A few factors that might affect the price are:

Size/dimensions of the area being transformed from regular grass to synthetic
Inticracy of design and layout you want to put in place
Kind of artificial turf products you're looking to get
How much work needs to be done (pull out old turf, even out the surface, etc.)

Tread cautiously with contractors who give you a set price for a project, regardless 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 somewhere between 10-20 years, depending on use. Southwest Greens's oldest installations are 20 years old and have preserved the rich green color and texture of genuine grass. Our UV-resistant artificial grass products look and work like new because they are engineered to withstand heavy traffic, harsh climate conditions, and temperature fluctuations for all-year use. All installations come complete with a one-year workmanship warranty and a manufacturer's warranty that covers fading.