Can Dogs Pee on Fake Grass? – Dogs and Fake Grass

When it comes to dogs and fake grass, one of the main questions that gets asked is quite simply “Can dogs pee on fake grass?”

It’s a fair question. As a nation of dog lovers, we want our homes to work around all their inhabitants, even the ones with four legs.

We also want our homes to look great, however. Recent advancements in artificial lawns have made fake grass look better than the real thing in some cases. There’s a myriad reasons to opt for artificial turf. Perhaps you don’t have the time to devote to the maintenance that a real lawn demands. Alternatively, it could be the case that your garden just doesn’t receive enough sunlight to grow the lush turf that you’d like. So what do people who have dogs and fake grass do? Can dogs go to the toilet on artificial grass? We’ve got all your answers right here.

 

Dogs and Fake Grass

 

Can Dogs Pee on Fake Grass?

Yes, dogs can indeed pee on fake grass. In fact, an artificial lawn will suffer less than natural turf when urinated on.

Dog urine contains a high level of nitrogen, which can actually have a fertlising effect on plants when used sparingly. The problem with dog urine, however, is that it contains such a high concentration, and is often focused on just one area of your lawn. This is way too much for a natural lawn, and actually kills grass rather than nourishing it.

Of course, there’s no such problems with artificial grass. An artificial lawn will simply allow the urine to drain away, just as it does with rainfall.

That’s not to say that you don’t need to keep an eye on things occasionally.

Some dogs have a tendency to urinate in the same spot time after time. If you’ve not had any rainfall for a while, you could find that particular spot can start to get a little whiffy. This is a simple fix though. All you need in this instance is a little soapy water to pour on the affected area, and the scent should be washed away.

A good practice is to hose down any spots every so often if you’re not getting much rain. Remember to be careful with pressure washers though. You’ll need a bit of distance, or you risk damaging your artificial grass.

Another factor to consider when thinking about your pets is the materials and backing used in your artificial lawn. Retailer Grass Warehouse recommend rinsing ranges with latex-based backings regularly if concerned about the odour, as this material can be more absorbent over time.

 

Can Dogs Go to the Toilet on Artificial Grass?

It goes without saying, that where there’s some uncertainty amongst consumers about dogs urinating on fake grass, there’s just as many questions about dog poo.

Luckily, dog poo doesn’t affect fake grass. You should be able to clean it up just as you would on normal turf.

If you find dried-on dog poo on fake grass, you will need to hose the area gently to loosen the offending stool. Once disposed of, you can then hose the area down again to clean the grass.

 

Removing Pet Smells from Artificial Lawns

If you keep on top of the rinsing, you’ll probably avoid any issues with smells from urine or faeces. If you do find that your artificial lawn is still left with a slight, lingering odour however, there are some extra steps you can take.

Avoid solutions such as vinegar and strong disinfectants if you’re not keen on the idea of substituting one strong scent for another.  Instead, you’ll find that specialist artificial grass cleaners such as Pro-Kleen are much better for removing scents, and are formulated to be safe for pets too.

Here’s a link for Pro-Kleen specialist artificial grass cleaner. It’s an Amazon affiliate link, so while it makes no difference to your shop, it really helps out small sites like this! It’s the cheapest high-rated cleaner I can see at the time of writing, but of course there’s plenty of other alternatives at similar prices.

 

Pet Hair and Artificial Grass

Probably not something you’ve even considered as a potential problem, but a moulting dog can possibly cause some issues.

This is because of your lawn’s need to drain effectively. Not only does the artificial turf need to clear rainwater, but animal urine also needs a place to go. If clumps of fur start to clog up the lawn, its capacity for draining can be considerably hampered.

The last thing you need is puddles of dog pee in your garden. An occasional vacuum of your lawn is recommended if you’ve got pets that moult a lot. You might get some odd looks from the neighbours, but it’ll be worth it in the long run!

 

Dogs and Fake Grass – Verdict

There’s really no reason to be put off the idea of an artificial lawn if you have pets, or pets if you have an artificial lawn! If you’re thinking about catering your lawn to your dog though, not all grasses are created equal.

How can dogs pee on fake grass? Very easily as it happens, but more importantly, cleaning up after them is simple and straightforward. While you may need to put in a little maintenance with an artificial lawn, it’s still easier to keep than real turf.

 

 

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