With artificial grass becoming increasingly popular, we have been asked huge amount of pet-specific questions from those who have furry loved ones. Take a look at a few of the most frequent questions we get about synthetic turf for dogs in Jacksonville.

IS IT SAFE FOR DOGS?

Yes! Synthetic grass is safe for pets — canine and feline alike. Pet turf is developed to be much more durable than both natural turf and conventional artificial grass. You won’t need harsh pesticides or fertilizers, either, so you won’t have to deal with those chemicals like you would with organic grass. Your pooch can be allergic to grass pollen, so when you make the change to synthetic, you might even see Fido encounter fewer allergies, too.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE PET WASTE?

Dogs can use the grass as their bathroom like they instinctively know how to do — the real difference here is the cleaning process is painless for you. It is much easier to clean pet waste off synthetic grass, and the turf 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 fluids to drain more efficiently than natural turf. For solid waste, simply let it dry a little before clean-up for best results. If you’re left with marks, a quick misting with the hose will eliminate any residual waste.

WILL IT STINK FROM DOG URINE?

Artificial turf has no scent, so if any odors do occur, it’s usually caused by dog urine specifically. Many pets favor to use one area of the lawn to do their business, so from time-to-time, a little odor can build-up. Southwest Greens turf system is antimicrobial, which can decrease the smell, but there are methods to ensure 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 remove any dawdling odor.

CAN PETS DAMAGE ARTIFICIAL TURF?

Because artificial grass is created to endure heavy, recurring use, it makes it very difficult for dogs to destroy. Digging is virtually impossible for them on artificial grass. Long gone are the days of muddy paw prints being tracked into your house as well!

DO FLEAS AND TICKS LIVE IN SYNTHETIC GRASS?

Because artificial turf is created from and inorganic material, it is extremely challenging for fleas, ticks, and other pests to live in the grass. While we can’t promise that your yard will be 100% pest-free, you can be assured that they will be mostly eliminated. Because there’s no dirt to sustain their nesting, but you must keep an eye out for any accumulation of leaves or debris that might create a good breeding environment for fleas and ticks. As long as you clean your synthetic yard consistently, there will be hardly any pests.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN ARTIFICIAL TURF FOR DOGS?

Make sure to remove waste as soon as possible to eliminate any odors. To keep everything clean and looking great, we recommend you hose the turf down at least once a week. This will help keep your lawn from smelling bad. Dispose of any leaf or other loose debris to safeguard your yard unfavorablefor fleas and ticks.

HOW MUCH DOES ARTIFICIAL TURF COST?

This will largely depend on your project, so it’s challenging to provide you an exact estimate. The following factors that might affect the price are:

• Size/dimensions of the area being converted from regular grass to artificial
• Inticracy of design and layout you want to install
• Type of synthetic turf products you're going to use
• How much work needs to be done (pull out old turf, leveling surface, etc.)

Take care with contractors who offer you a fixed cost of the project, in spite of how much work it involves. This is usually a tell-tale sign that they aren’t employing high-quality materials.

HOW LONG WILL ARTIFICIAL TURF LAST?

Pet turf is estimated to last between 10-20 years, depending on use. Southwest Greens's earliest installations are 20 years old and have preserved the rich green color and consistency of genuine turf. Our UV-resistant synthetic grass products look and work like new because they are developed to withstand heavy traffic, harsh weather conditions, and temperature fluctuations for year round use. All installations come bundled with a one-year workmanship warranty and a manufacturer's warranty that covers fading.

OTHER QUESTIONS?

Didn’t find your question here? If so, we want to hear from you! So talk to us today with your pet turf questions.