If you're a dog owner, chances are your garden has seen better days. Muddy paw prints through the house, worn patches where your dog runs, brown spots from urine, and holes where they've decided to dig — it's a familiar story.
Artificial grass has become one of the most popular solutions for dog owners, and for good reason. But not all artificial grass is created equal when it comes to pets. Here's what you need to know.
Why Dog Owners Love Artificial Grass
The biggest benefit is no more mud. Artificial grass drains quickly and doesn't turn into a swamp when it rains, which means no more muddy paws being traipsed through your kitchen. It's also incredibly durable — dogs can run, play, and roll around on it without wearing it down the way they would with a natural lawn.
Dog urine won't cause brown patches like it does on real grass, and solid waste is easy to pick up and hose down. Many of our customers tell us their garden has gone from being a no-go zone to the best room in the house.
What to Look for in Pet-Friendly Artificial Grass
Not all artificial grass handles pet use equally well. When choosing grass for a garden with dogs, you want a short to medium pile height (35–42mm works well), good drainage capability, and a dense construction that won't flatten under heavy use.
At Lawnify, our 'Titanium' range is our top recommendation for dog owners. At 42mm with a multi-directional pile, it's designed to spring back even after heavy use, and it's our most resilient product.
How to Keep Artificial Grass Clean with Dogs
Keeping your artificial lawn fresh is straightforward. Pick up solid waste daily, just as you would on a natural lawn. For urine, a regular rinse with a garden hose is usually enough to keep things clean and odour-free.
For a deeper clean, we recommend using a specialist artificial grass cleaner once a month — we'll be launching our own 5L cleaner soon, but any pet-safe artificial grass cleaner from a garden centre will do the job in the meantime.
If you have multiple dogs or a particularly enthusiastic pet, you might want to hose down their favourite spots more frequently. Some of our customers add a layer of kiln-dried sand during installation, which helps with drainage and odour control.
Will My Dog Dig Up Artificial Grass?
This is a common concern, and the good news is that properly installed artificial grass is very difficult for dogs to dig up. The grass is secured around the edges and laid over a compacted base, so there's nothing loose for them to get their claws into. Most dogs that dig on natural lawns stop the behaviour once artificial grass is installed, because the texture and resistance is different.
Is Artificial Grass Safe for Dogs?
Yes. All of our artificial grass products are non-toxic and safe for pets. The materials used are the same kind of plastics used in children's play equipment, so they're thoroughly tested for safety. Dogs can roll on it, chew on it (though we'd rather they didn't!), and play on it without any risk.
Get a Quote for Pet-Friendly Artificial Grass
Ready to give your dog the garden they deserve (and save your sanity in the process)? Use our instant online price calculator to get a quote in 60 seconds, or call us on 07841 976377 to chat about the best options for your garden and your pets.