Is Synthetic Grass Safe for Dogs?

There are many advantages to having synthetic grass in your yard. You won’t ever have to mow your lawn again, for starters. You won’t need to water it either, and it’ll still always look green and healthy. You also won’t need to use pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers to keep it that way. Plus, it’s cost-effective and long-lasting and sure to give your home great curb appeal.

But is synthetic grass safe for dogs? Around 48 million households in the US own dogs, so this question comes up often. We want to give our four-legged friends only the best.

So we have good news. Not only is synthetic grass safe for dogs, it’s actually the perfect choice if you have dogs running around. Let’s take a closer look at what makes synthetic grass safe for dogs.

Synthetic Grass Is Safe for Dogs

Many people assume that synthetic products like artificial grass are toxic because they’re made from artificial materials, but that isn’t the case with synthetic grass. The grass itself is typically made from nylon, polypropylene, or polyethylene attached to a backing of similar material. The infill beneath is generally made from rubber or rubber-coated sand. These materials have been tested and are considered safe for pets and people.

Moreover, to keep yards looking lush and green and weed-free, homeowners often resort to the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. This can make natural grass unhealthy for dogs. Since synthetic grass has no need for these treatments, you won’t have to worry about your dogs being exposed to the potential toxins.

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When you do your turf shopping, you should do a little due diligence. Ask your contractor about the chemical breakdown of the different turf options. A little research can give you great peace of mind.

There Are No Allergens or Pests

Even without treatment, natural lawns can be filled with hidden hazards you may not think about. This can include toxic weeds and plants, fleas, ticks, grass burrs, and allergy-triggering grass pollen. 

When you install synthetic grass, this is no longer the case. Fleas and ticks can’t survive on synthetic grass, and toxic weeds also aren’t able to grow. Synthetic grass won’t trigger grass allergies or produce any grass burrs that could injure and irritate a dog’s paws or skin, making it a safe and healthy option for you and your pets.

Synthetic Grass Is Safe to Play On

It’s usually important to be able to let your dog out in the yard to run around. Some dogs spend a lot of time outside. Natural grass can be slippery when wet. It can also wear down from excessive traffic, be dug up by industrious dogs and wildlife, or become concrete-hard during hot, dry weather. This presents a number of hazards for our furry friends, including the risk of injury from tripping, slipping, or falling.

Less Slippery

That’s why synthetic grass is actually safer to play on than natural grass. Synthetic lawns have excellent drainage built in. This reduces the risk of water pooling or becoming slippery. It also reduces the amount of mud in your yard—and consequently tracked into your house.

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More Durable

Natural lawns are prone to getting holes and worn areas, both from regular traffic and from dogs digging. This isn’t a problem with synthetic grass because it’s durable and dogs can’t dig holes in it.  No more holes in your lawn means that the surface is smoother and safer for your dogs to run around. You don’t have to worry about them slipping into a hole or tripping over one. This also means you can run around with your pet worry-free too, as you will not accidentally trip over a hole or a rut.

Not only is this safer for your dog, but it also leads to a cleaner and more pristine-looking yard for you. You won’t have to worry about cleaning up dirt piles or smoothing over ruts and holes again.

Softer

Another feature of synthetic grass that can make it safer to play on is the infill. This layer creates a semi-cushioned surface that is softer than the hard-packed dirt beneath natural grass, particularly during the driest parts of the summer. This gives your dogs both a gentler surface to run and play on and a more forgiving crash pad should they fall. Synthetic turf has been used for sports fields for decades for this very reason.

It’s More Sanitary for Dogs to Go to the Bathroom

Dogs are able to easily poop and pee on synthetic grass, just like on natural grass. The difference is that synthetic grass is much easier to clean. Urine easily drains away via the drainage system in place. Solid waste can be picked up as you normally would, but without the risk of it being ground into the grass and dirt, where it can fester with parasites and bacteria.

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A quick rinse with the hose once a week will take care of any residue and keep your yard fresh and clean. You can also use simple vinegar and water mixture to give your synthetic grass a deeper clean when needed.

If you were asking yourself, “is synthetic grass safe for dogs,” you now know that it is and that there are many reasons why it’s better for dogs too. If you are a proud dog mom or dad, consider converting your yard to synthetic grass. Not only is it safer for your dog, but it’s much easier to maintain for you, the pet owner, and who doesn’t want that?

Like many features of your home, getting the best use of your synthetic grass depends on having it installed properly. This is why you should call in professionals to install it for you, rather than trying to do it yourself. At Sportech in Portland, Oregon, we have years of experience to make sure your synthetic grass is installed correctly and maintained regularly. If you live nearby and are interested in learning more, or if you are still asking yourself, “is synthetic grass safe,” we urge you to contact us today. We’d love to show you how our turf can change your yard.

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