Your backyard is your dog’s playground. But it’s also their potty area, and that can be a problem. Dog waste can ruin your grass. If you want to keep a beautiful lawn, you need to train your dogs to poop only in certain spots on your lawn. But that doesn’t mean there would never be times when they poop on the wrong spot on your lawn. That’s where outdoor artificial turf for dogs comes in!
How Does Pet Waste Affect Natural Grass?
Dog waste is a major issue for real grass. It contains bacteria and viruses that can be harmful to both dogs and people. When dog poop decays over time, it turns toxic.
It also produces ammonia gas, which can cause respiratory problems in humans. The ammonia gas can also damage the quality of the soil, making it difficult for plants to grow in potty pet areas.
Moreover, the pathogens in the solid waste can seep into and pollute water resources, including groundwater, rivers and lakes. You must stay on top of cleaning up after your pets when they play in your yard. Otherwise, you run the risk of spreading these harmful bacteria around your neighborhood.
Why Is Synthetic Turf Immune to Dog Poop Damage?
Outdoor artificial turf for dogs doesn’t take damage from dog urine and poop. Here’s why:
First, synthetic turf doesn’t absorb dog waste like natural grass. When your dogs answer nature’s call on synthetic grass, it just sits there until you clean it up or it dries out. The waste won’t seep into the ground, affect the soil quality or create an odor problem as it would on real grass.
Moreover, a synthetic lawn curbs weed problems. That means there’s less chance that your furry friends use the same spot again and again.
Fake grass for dogs is also made of durable materials, including polyethylene, rubber and urethane. This ensures that synthetic grass won’t turn brown or develop turf diseases when your dogs poop on it.
But what about the bacteria, viruses and bad smells from dog waste? Artificial grass gets rid of all these drawbacks because it can be cleaned, disinfected and deodorized. Unlike real turf, Miami, FL artificial turf won’t wilt when you use cleaning products to wash it.
What’s more, some artificial grass for dogs also have a deodorant coating. This helps neutralize odors that come from poop and other organic matter on the turf. It also prevents bacteria from growing in any wet spots on your lawn that are left by your dogs.
Tips for Keeping Synthetic Grass for Dogs Clean and Sanitary
1. Routinely clean up your dog’s waste.
Pick up solid waste as soon as possible and dispose of it in the trash. The longer the waste sits on the turf, the more time bacteria have to multiply. It will also become more difficult to remove and clean up.
The same goes for pee. While you can get away with leaving it there for a while, it’s still best to clean up as soon as possible, and ideally, within the day. This is especially true if you have multiple dogs.
Again, the longer you leave dog urine on the turf, the worse the smell and bacteria will get.
2. Use a disinfectant or cleaner on the turf.
After you’ve picked up all the solid waste, you should disinfect the area. You can use a diluted bleach solution, an enzymatic cleaner or white vinegar.
Let the solution sit on the turf for at least 10 minutes to disinfect the area and kill bacteria. Then, rinse it off with water.
3. Deodorize the turf.
After you’ve cleaned and disinfected the area, you should also deodorize it. This will help neutralize any lingering smells and discourage your dogs from pooping in that spot again.
There are many commercial pet odor sprays available or you can make your own with essential oils and water. Just spray it on the affected areas and let it dry.
4. Rake or brush the turf.
Finally, you should rake or brush the turf to help keep it clean and free of debris. This will also help evenly distribute any deodorizer you’ve used on the lawn.
Do this at least once a week, or more often if needed.
5. Remove fur regularly.
If you have a dog that sheds, you’ll also need to remove their fur from the turf regularly. This can be done with a pet hair broom or rake. Just make sure to do it often enough so that their fur doesn’t start to mat the synthetic grass.
6. Hose down the turf occasionally.
In addition to regular cleaning, you should also hose down your turf every few weeks. This will help remove any dirt, dust or pollen that’s accumulated on the lawn.
It’s best to do this in the evening or early morning so that the turf has time to dry before your dogs use it again.
7. Designate a potty area.
One of the best ways to keep your turf clean is to designate a specific area for your dogs to use the bathroom. This can be done by creating a sand-filled potty box or using an artificial grass mat.
This way, you can easily remove waste from that area and keep the rest of your turf clean. It’s also helpful in training your dogs to only go potty in that designated spot.
8. Limit your dog’s access to the turf.
If you’re really struggling to keep your turf clean, you may need to limit your dog’s access to it. You can create a dog run in one corner of your yard or only allow them free reign on the turf when you’re there to supervise.
Don’t worry – a dog run with synthetic turf is just as comfortable as a regular one, and they’ll still be able to enjoy the grass!
Pet-Proof Your Yard With the Help of an Artificial Turf Installer in Miami
Now that you know all the facts, it’s time to make a decision. If you want to use artificial grass to beautify and pet-proof your yard and make it safer for your dogs, look no further than Miami Artificial Grass Pros.
We offer pet-friendly artificial grass products, landscaping solutions and installation services. So you can count on our team to transform your yard into a picture-perfect lawn that can withstand your dogs’ antics.
Reach out to us anytime if you have questions about our products and services. Fill out our contact form or call us at 408-317-0931. We’re always happy to help!