Why Artificial Grass in Bradford is the Perfect choice for Dog Owners
We all love our pets, but let’s face it, they can destroy our gardens if left to their own devices, and if you are tired of finding bones buried in your vegetable plot, squeaky toys in your rockery, and brown patches on your lawn which they use as their toilet, it might be time to landscape your outdoor areas with Artificial Grass in Bradford.
Is Imitation Grass Suitable for Pets?
In this Complete Guide to Artificial Grass for Dogs, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about creating a dog-friendly fake lawn with artificial grass and show you how to say goodbye to muddy paw prints for good.
What Is Artificial Grass?
You have probably heard of it, but do you really know what artificial grass is? If you have visions of the bright green fuzz used by greengrocers to display their fruit and vegetables, you’ll be relieved to know that synthetic grass has come a long way in recent years, and it is now more realistic than ever before.
Artificial grass, also known as AstroTurf, fake grass, imitation grass, and plastic grass, is a man-made landscaping material made of synthetic fibres that are designed to look like blades of grass. Constructed in a similar way to tufted carpets, with a grass-like material woven onto a solid backing (usually latex or polyurethane) to create a carpeted lawn, it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.
New generation artificial grass comes in a variety of colours and pile heights, with many superior AstroTurf products finished with brown thatch to create the illusion of dead blades of grass that you would get with a real lawn. It is UV stabilised to prevent fading, pre-punched for drainage, and designed to retain its realistic looking appearance for years to come.
While installing an imitation lawn it can be expensive when compared to natural turf alternatives, it should be seen as an investment. Once installed, synthetic grass requires no weeding, feeding, watering or mowing, so you can save a fortune on water and electricity bills as years go by. When you purchase superior artificial grass in Bradford, your lawn will hold between 5 years and 10 years UV warranty depending on grass quality.
Are Artificial Lawns Suitable for Pets?
Most artificial grass available in the UK today is pet-friendly, but some inferior fake grass products can contain toxins and lead, which could be harmful to sensitive pets. Check with your artificial grass company before installing it in your garden, and if in doubt, go for a top-quality product that both you and your pets can enjoy.
5 Reasons You Should Install Artificial Grass for Dogs
Synthetic lawns not only eliminate lawn maintenance, but they retain their evergreen appearance year-round and this can be a real challenge for dog owners. If you love your pet dogs more than life itself, and cannot bear the thought of banishing them from the garden, here are just a few reasons why you should install a pet-friendly fake grass lawn:
- No More Digging & Holes
Most dogs love to dig, and if you have a digger or two in your family, an imitation lawn could very possibly put an end to their digging for good. Your pets will be able to run, jump, and roll just as they do on your natural lawn, but they’ll soon give up trying to bury their favourite treats in grass/soil that doesn’t smell. However, we should point out that your plant pots will become prime targets for hidden treasures, so don’t be surprised if you find a dog bone in your Begonia!
- Eliminates Pests
No matter how diligent you are with flea and tick treatments, your dog is likely to pick up one or two of these blood-sucking critters during the year, and if left untreated, they can infest a real grass lawn in days. Bugs cannot thrive in artificial grass, and with no soil to nest in, they’ll soon make their way to your next-door neighbour’s garden and leave your lawn flea-free!
- No Need for Fertilizers, Weed Killers, and Pesticides
Maintaining a real lawn takes time, dedication, and quite often, a whole load of chemicals to keep it looking its best. Fertilizers, weed killers, insecticides, growth regulators, and pesticides can be harmful to pets, particularly if they lick their paws after walking through grass sprayed with these products, and it can stick to their whiskers and hair. Artificial Grass in Bradford requires zero chemical lawn products, so you can let your dogs do what they do best and enjoy your outdoor space year-round.
- No More Muddy Paws
According to an article in the Yorkshire Post, Bradford is the seventh rainiest city in the UK with an average of 152 rainy days each year. All that rain leads to a lot of muddy paw prints, and while you cannot stop your dogs from getting wet and muddy in the park, you can prevent them from getting dirty at home by installing an artificial garden.
Synthetic lawns are pre-punched for drainage, and so rainwater automatically drains through to the soil below, leaving fake gardens much drier than the natural alternatives.
- To Maximise Outdoor Space
If you have a large patio and tiny lawn, you can transform the entire area into a pet-friendly garden with artificial grass. This will not only provide your dogs with somewhere to pee and poop before and after their walks, but it will give them somewhere to burn off energy, play with the grandkids, and take a nap when it all gets too much!
Tips on Installing Dog-Friendly Synthetic Grass
Your dogs will, inevitably, do their business on your artificial lawn, and while poop is easy enough to remove, urine can create toxic ammonia pockets and a strong smell if it doesn’t drain properly.
One of the easiest ways to avoid drainage problems, and the unpleasant odours that go with it, is by having your dog-friendly AstroTurf installed by your local artificial landscaping company, who will take care of everything from ground preparation and sub-base creation, to fitting, trimming, and securing your new lawn for optimal drainage.
Reputable artificial grass fitting companies will guarantee their installations and with the professionals taking care of all the hard work for you, you can spend less time working in the garden and more time walking your dog.
Dog-Friendly Artificial Turf Maintenance
Your dogs will love your imitation lawn as much as you do, and they’ll most likely want to mark their territory, so it is essential that you have a cleaning routine in place to keep your newly landscaped garden free from bacteria, smelling sweet, and hygienically clean.
Here are some top tips from the professionals at Artificial Super Grass:
- Remove Solid Waste
Poop is relatively easy to deal with, and you should treat your fake lawn exactly as you do your local park, by removing any solid waste with a pet-poop bag and disposing of it responsibly in either your green bin or general waste bin (this varies from region to region, check with your local council).
- Diarrhoea Woes
If your pooch has an unfortunate case of diarrhoea on your artificial lawn, you should clean the area as soon as possible with a pet-safe antibacterial artificial grass cleaner specifically designed for the job, Zoflora is fantastic and smells great too. While your synthetic grass shouldn’t stain, you may need to go at it with soapy water and a scrubbing brush to remove all traces of dried-in faeces but remember to rinse it thoroughly afterwards.
- Dealing with Urine Issues
One of the easiest ways to prevent your fake grass from developing unpleasant odours is by cleaning up any dog waste immediately, but in the case of urine, this is only doable if you witness your dog in action. If your dog spends more time in the garden than you do, implement a weekly rinsing routine to remove all traces of urine with either an all-natural blend of vinegar and water, or a non-toxic artificial lawn cleaner. As stated earlier, Zoflora For Pets is a must.
- Monthly Cleaning
To keep your synthetic lawn looking its best, you should have a monthly maintenance plan that includes brushing to remove debris (you can use a hoover – but only if the neighbours are not looking!), Rake regularly to remove leaves or the use of a garden blower which makes lighter work. Rinsing with clean water and using a stiff yard brush or power brush to encourage the blades to stand upright and give your lawn that freshly manicured look.
Synthetic grass is the perfect landscaping solution for dog-friendly gardens, and when professionally installed, it provides the ideal playground for children and pets. If you are considering Artificial Grass in Bradford, speak to your local landscaping company today, and let them transform your outdoor areas with superior AstroTurf that’s good for you and good for Fido!