With synthetic turf becoming more and more popular, we have been asked numerous pet-specific questions from those who have furry loved ones. Explore some of the most frequent questions we get regarding artificial grass for dogs in San Francisco.
IS IT SAFE FOR DOGS?
Yes! Artificial grass is harmless to pets — cats and dogs alike. Pet turf is developed to be much more resilient than both organic turf and conventional synthetic turf. You won’t need harsh pesticides or fertilizers, either, so you won’t have to deal with those chemicals like you would with real grass. Your pooch can be allergic to grass pollen, so when you make the change to artificial, you might even see Fido encounter fewer allergies, too.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE PET WASTE?
Pets can use the turf 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 a sophisticated backing system under its surface that allows 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 stains, a quick spray with the hose will remove any residual waste.
WILL IT STINK FROM DOG URINE?
Artificial turf has no scent, so if any odors do occur, it’s typically caused by dog urine specifically. Many pets prefer to use one area of the lawn to do their business, so occassionally, you can get a little more of a build-up of odor. Southwest Greens turf system is antimicrobial, which can decrease the smell, but there are things you can do to make sure no smells ramain. We recommend you use a solution of one-to-one parts water and vinegar to spray Fido’s favorite restroom area. Let it dry to destroy any dawdling odor.
CAN PETS DAMAGE ARTIFICIAL TURF?
Because synthetic grass is created to withstdand heavy, repetitive use, it makes it very difficult for dogs to damage. Digging is virtually 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 GRASS?
Because synthetic turf is made from and inorganic material, it is very difficult for fleas, ticks, and other pests to live 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 look out for any build-up of leaves or debris that might be suitable for a good breeding environment for fleas and ticks. As long as you clean your synthetic lawn consistently, there will be hardly any pests.
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN SYNTHETIC TURF FOR PETS?
Always be certain to remove feces as soon as possible to eliminate any smell. To keep everything neat and looking great, we suggest you hose the turf down weekly. This will help keep your lawn free from any odors. Get rid of any leaf or other loose debris to protect your yard unhinibatblefor fleas and ticks.
HOW MUCH DOES ARTIFICIAL GRASS COST?
This will heavily depend on your specific project, so it’s difficult to give an exact estimate. A few factors that might affect the price are:
- Size/dimensions of the area being transformed from regular turf to artificial
- Complexity of design and layout you want to put in place
- Kind of synthetic turf products you're looking to get
- How much work needs to be done (pull out old grass, leveling surface, etc.)
Be cautious with contractors who offer 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 from 10 to 20 years, depending on use. Southwest Greens's earliest installations are 20 years old and have maintained the healthy green color and texture of natural grass. Our UV-resistant artificial turf products look and work like new because they are developed to withstand heavy traffic, extreme weather conditions, and temperature fluctuations for year round use. All installations come packaged with a one-year workmanship warranty and a manufacturer's warranty that covers fading.