Artificial turf companies want you to believe in the convenience and beauty of artificial turf. But buyer beware. Artificial turf can pose multiple health problems for your pup.

There are two major problems with dogs and artificial turf. The first is the heat. If you live in a warmer area, where there’s likely to be more artificial turf because it’s difficult to maintain grass in hot climates that don’t get a lot of rain, you’ll notice how HOT the turf can get. The second major problem is the chemicals. Without proper drainage and proper spraying, there’s a good chance that artificial turf has a lot of chemicals that your pup will step on and eventually digest once they lick their paws.

Heat

Artificial turf is really good as a grass alternative, except when it’s not. In the hot summer months of a place like southern california, artificial turf’s temperatures can exceed 120 degrees! That’s hot! Worse yet, the rubber pellets can stuck in your pup’s paws. Think about that. A 120 degree piece of rubber stuck in your pup’s paw, and your dog has no real way of telling you about the pain. Humans have the luxury of shoes, but who wants to put booties on your pup just to go to the bathroom?


Dog’s paws can get burnt, the pads can tear, and the pup’s comfort can basically not exist on an artificial turf in the summer. The sun beats down and the heat has nowhere to dissipate, so it just stays in the turf. Be careful and touch artificial turf with your hands or feet before you expose your pup to it; you’ll save a lot of headache later.

Chemicals

Similar to heat, your pup will be exposed to harsh chemicals on artificial turf. Because turf doesn’t drain well, a lot of parks, apartments, and other areas use chemicals to get rid of the smell of pet urine and feces on artificial turf. These chemicals are supposed to be safe for pup’s to ingest, but they aren’t always. Pup’s will step through these chemicals, and then immediately lick their paws. This means your dog is trying to digest a chemical that’s supposed to eliminate the smell of pet urine! No one wants that.


Check the chemicals and spray times of the artificial turf areas where you take your pets. These should be posted, and if they aren’t the organization generally keeps a list of the chemicals it uses to treat the turf. Take those to your vet to make sure your dog isn’t allergic. Nothing is worse than a severe allergic reaction to a chemical on artificial turf.

Alternative

In many warm and very cold climates, artificial turf is the answer for grass. We know this. But there’s an option for you. At Patio Pet Life, we’ve created farm fresh, hydroponically grown, lightweight pet grass that is biodegradable and can be delivered on the frequency of your choice! This artificial turf alternative is a lot safer than turf, and it will keep your pup happy and healthy for years to come!