How Pet-Friendly is Artificial Turf?

Dear Angie: I have three Cocker Spaniels who like to go potty on the grass, so I want to change my lawn in my backyard from grass to artificial grass. What are the advantages or disadvantages of artificial turf? What is the best material to put down and how do I go about finding the most reliable company? – Paula H., Phoenix

Dear Paula: With the growth in popularity of artificial turf, there are a variety of products and suppliers available and because it can be a significant investment, it’s important to do your homework before you commit.

Drainage capability should be your main priority for this project. Highly rated landscapers I’ve spoken to suggest using a polyethylene or polypropylene product instead of nylon. Neither poly product absorbs moisture, as opposed to nylon, so they’ll drain more effectively. Using a crushed granite product for the base material located underneath the turf will assist in the drainage of rain and urine.

You’ll need to infill the turf and there are a variety of infills available. Copper slag is preferable over sand or crumb rubber, as it retains fewer odors. Silica sand also won’t absorb odors. A rounded quartz core is another product you can use to infill. It inhibits the growth of bacteria and mildew. There is also a deodorizer pellet that you can use as infill that will disinfect and deodorize.

A good grade and weight is also essential for turf designed for pet traffic. A turf with a higher density – 75-to-90 ounces – would be ideal. You also want a turf product with a backing material that is nonporous, so it will retain fewer odors.

Artificial turf can get very hot in direct sunlight, so that should be a consideration in Arizona. Another consideration is how much rainfall you get. Turf that is used frequently by pets will need to be flushed regularly, which means manually hosing the area off on a regular basis if you don’t get a lot of rain.

With so many variables, I recommend you consult with a local landscaper who has experience in artificial turf and can design a personalized plan that best fits you – and your dogs’ – needs.

Angie’s List collects about 40,000 consumer reports each month covering more than 350 categories of home-related services. Angie Hicks compiles the best advice from the most highly rated service pros on Angie’s List to answer your questions. Ask Angie your question at askangie@angi.com

Editor's note: This is an updated version of a story originally posted on Feb. 16, 2012.