Our Top Questions About Artificial Grass From Pittsburgh Dog Owners

Thinking about artificial grass and not sure how that will work for your pets? Look no further! We’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions we hear about artificial grass for dogs for you.

Is It Actually Safe For Dogs?

Absolutely! Synthetic grass is safe for your pets. Usually, most pet turf available is built to be stronger than standard artificial turf and organic grass. You’ll also no longer have to worry about the dangerous chemicals Rascal might have been exposed to before, like fertillizers and pesticides. Fake grass will help you to reduce allergens, too!

Will It Smell Bad?

The synthetic grass is odorless. So, if smells do occur, it is often from something else. The #1 thing most Pittsburgh, PA pet owners are concerned with is if pet waste will cause the turf to smell bad. Dogs usually tend to use one area of the lawn to relieve themselves, so you may sometimes get a bit more build-up of urine odor in that spot. However, Shawgrass pet turf is antimicrobial, which means it’s naturally smell resistant. But, If you do start to notice an odor in Rascal’s favorite bathroom spot, you can use a solution of equal amounts vinegar and water and spray the area. Then, let it dry which will eliminate any residual smells.

How Do You Clean Pet Waste Off It?

Rascal will continue to use the lawn like the bathroom he always has, but cleaning up will be much easier for you. Our pet turf is built with an advanced flow-through backing system under the surface that helps urine and other liquids drain better than on traditional grass. Solid waste is also easy to clean up — make sure to let the waste dry a little before you try to remove it for best results (less messy). If you are left with any residue, a quick hose-down should get rid of any leftover waste.

Will Waste Stain It?

No, pet waste won’t stain your turf permanently. We put our synthetic grass through strenuous testing resulting in the highest quality product. Over the years, we have discovered ways to ensure the grass will not fade or stain from pet waste.

Do Fleas and Ticks Like Fake Grass?

Artificial turf is made from a non-organic material that makes it hard for many pests like fleas and ticks to live. Of course, we cannot guarantee you won’t get any fleas or ticks at all, but you can plan on significantly lower exposure! As long as you clean your turf regularly and prevent build-up of leaves and debris that could be perfect for them to nest, you’ll cut down on their numbers.

Can Dogs Destroy Artificial Grass?

Synthetic grass is manufactured to hold up to repetitive use and the worst weather of each season, which means it is very hard for dogs to harm it. They won’t be able to dig like they do in with natural grass, and you won’t have to deal with mud getting into your house, either. Your dog can still roll around, play with toys, and run like they would with natural grass, too.

How Do You Maintain It?

Maintenance on an artificial lawn is remarkably easy. To keep it looking great, simply take care of any fallen leaves and other debris and hose it down every week if rain has been sparse. You can read our guide on cleaning artificial grass here.

How Much Will It Cost?

How much a turf project costs varies based on which components of your project, so it’s difficult to give exact estimates. As a result, here are a sampling of factors that might affect your pricing.

• The dimensions of the area you want to install artificial grass
• How challenging the design and specific layout are
• The kind of synthetic turf products you're looking to get
• How much excavation must be done (removing old turf, leveling surface, etc.)

 Please be extra careful with contractors who’ll give you a single price for a project without regard to how much work it actually involves. This usually suggests they aren’t using quality materials and will cut corners to benefit themselves where they can.

How Long Will It Last?

Shawgrass pet turf is estimated to last from 10-20 years, based on how much use it gets. That said, our oldest projects are still very bright in color and lush, thanks to our UV-resistant design. All Shawgrass installations from Last Lawn come complete with a one-year workmanship warranty and a manufacturer's warranty that covers fading. Be sure to check out our product selection guide to begin choosing the perfect application for you.

Other Questions?

Did we miss any of your questions about synthetic grass for dogs? If so, we still want to get them answered! Contact us with any remaining questions you may have or tell us when you are ready for your free consultation.