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While a beautiful natural lawn is certainly a wonderful asset to a home, it’s not easy to attain. Lawns require constant mowing during the growing season, regular weed treatments year-round, and annual overseeding to stay lush. Even after all that work, dogs can quickly ruin a perfect yard with their grass-killing urine and damaging digging.
For those who don’t want to spend hours and hundreds of dollars trying to achieve the perfect natural lawn, an artificial lawn is an alternative. Artificial lawns stay green year round and can stand up to a dog’s abuse. They drain well and have antimicrobial treatments that prevent pet waste odors from lingering. They’re also low-maintenance, requiring no regular chemical treatments.
Keep reading to find out more about the factors to consider when shopping for artificial grass, and check out the following list with some of the top artificial turf for dogs on the market.
- BEST OVERALL: Pet Grow Pet Pad Artificial Grass Turf
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Petgrow Artificial Synthetic Grass Turf
- UPGRADE PICK: Tiger Turf Everglade Fescue
- MOST REALISTIC: SunVilla Realistic Artificial Grass
- BEST CUSHIONED: WMG GRASS Premium Artificial Grass
- BEST HEAVY-DUTY: GL Artificial Grass Mats Lawn Carpet
- BEST FOR POTTY TRAINING: LOOBANI Extra Large Grass Porch Potty Tray
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Artificial Grass for Dogs
Turning to fake grass with dogs usually takes careful planning and research about different products. Ahead, learn more about the features dog owners consider when shopping for artificial grass, including material, pile height, density, and drainage, among others.
Material
Material is key when selecting the best artificial grass for dogs. The grass blades consist of either polyethylene or polypropylene to ensure it can hold up to foot traffic and harsh weather while resisting damage from pet urine.
Below the grass layer, the turf has infill that serves two purposes. It should have holes that allow drainage, preventing urine from soaking into the grass and creating foul odors. Infill also gives the grass a bouncier feel that makes it more comfortable for the owner and pet to walk on.
Pile Height and Density
Pile height for artificial grass refers to the length of the grass blades. Pile height can range from as low as 0.8 inches to 1.6 inches or more. Lower pile will drain more quickly but has less cushioning. Grass with a higher pile provides a plush and more cushioned feel and lasts longer.
In addition to pile height, grasses also vary in the density of the turf. Density is measured in turf face weight, which is determined by the turf’s weight in ounces per square yard. Artificial grass density generally ranges from 40 to 80 ounces per square yard. The higher a turf’s density, the springier and more durable it is. Keep in mind that taller and denser grass comes at a premium price.
Fade Resistance
Since most artificial grass spends its days outdoors under the sun, it’s important that it be able to resist UV rays, which can quickly cause colors to fade. Quality artificial grass for pets will be UV resistant, ensuring the green doesn’t fade to an undesirable yellow under the summer sun.
Installation
Artificial grass comes in either mats or rolls. Mats range in size from 3 feet by 5 feet to as large as 7 feet by 13 feet. Larger swaths of artificial grass come in rolls similar to carpet, which makes them easy to install. These rolls can range in width from as little as 5 feet up to 15 feet in lengths as long as 100 feet.
Draining and Maintenance
When a dog relieves itself, the liquid needs to go somewhere, so it’s important to consider drainage when choosing artificial grass. Artificial grass should have holes in the backing that allow liquid to flow through to the ground below. Artificial grass that drains well will also do a better job of preventing urine odors from lingering in the grass.
Maintaining artificial grass requires little work. To clean artificial grass, rinse it periodically with a garden hose to remove any dust that has collected on its surface.
Our Top Picks
The list below includes some of the best artificial turf for dogs that look realistic with high piles that give them a lush feel and plenty of holes in the backing for excellent drainage.
Best Overall
Pet Grow Pet Pad Artificial Grass Turf
This grass turf has fake thatch mingled with blades to give it a realistic look. Taller than most at 1.37 inches, it has a lush feel. It also features four tones of green to mimic the young, mature, aging, and withered grass one would find on a typical lawn.
Pet turf must drain well and this product does, thanks to tiny drainage holes in the rubber backing that allow the pad to dry quickly. The Pet Pad also comes in a broad range of sizes from small 4-foot by 7-foot squares to massive 12-foot by 82-foot rolls, making it suitable for covering patios, porches, and even small yards.
Product Specs
- Traffic use: Moderate to heavy
- Pile height: 1.37 inches
- Density: 70 ounces
Pros
- Four colors and imitation thatch give it a realistic look
- Drains well
- Foam infill provides ample cushioning
- Tall height of 1.37 inches
Cons
- Expensive
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Best Bang For The Buck
Petgrow Artificial Synthetic Grass Turf
At well under $2 per square foot, Petgrow’s Artificial Synthetic Grass Turf is one of the most affordable ways of adding green to a yard while giving a pet a place to do its business. The grass is shorter than more expensive grass with a pile height of 0.8 inches. However, its base features plenty of drainage holes, ensuring that pet urine and rain won’t puddle on the surface.
It’s also one of the more realistic-looking synthetic grasses on the market, thanks to its use of multiple color tones and imitation thatch. Petgrow comes in widths as narrow as 2 feet or as wide as 13 feet in lengths ranging from 22 feet to 83 feet, making it suitable for a wide variety of yard sizes.
Product Specs
- Traffic use: Light
- Pile height: 0.8 inches
- Density: N/A
Pros
- Budget-priced synthetic turf
- Drains well
- Numerous size options are available
Cons
- Lower pile height than other synthetic grasses
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Upgrade Pick
Tiger Turf Everglade Fescue
Those who want synthetic turf that looks like the real thing and don’t mind paying for it may prefer the Tiger Turf Everglade Fescue. This turf is one of the lushest on the market thanks to its 1⅝-inch pile height, making it ideal for moderate to heavy use.
With two-toned grass that includes field green and olive green colors coupled with tan thatch intermingled with the blades, Tiger Turf is one of the most realistic artificial grass options on the market. Realistic-looking artificial grass doesn’t come cheap, as Tiger Turf is also one of the most expensive synthetic grasses on the market. Tiger Turf comes in 15-foot-wide rolls that range in length from 7 feet to 100 feet.
Product Specs
- Traffic use: Moderate to heavy
- Pile height: 1⅝ inches
- Density: 60 ounces
Pros
- Thicker and taller than most synthetic grasses
- Realistic look with multiple colors and imitation thatch
- Comes in wide 15-foot-wide rolls
Cons
- Expensive
- Denser grass may not drain as well
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Most Realistic
Sunvilla Realistic Artificial Grass
With its attention to not only grass blade color but also shape, Sunvilla’s turf is one of the most realistic artificial grass for dogs on the market. In addition to its use of four colors, the blades also have a C-shape, which is the same shape real grass blades have after mowing. Adding to the realistic look are four color tones and imitation thatch intermingled with grass blades.
With its 1⅜-inch blade height, this grass is also one of the lushest on the market, but it still drains well due to numerous holes in its base. Sunvilla comes in sizes as small as 1 foot wide by 13 feet long and as large as 13 feet wide by 25 feet long.
Product Specs
- Traffic use: Heavy
- Pile height: 1⅜ inches
- Density: 70 ounces
Pros
- Cut and color make this artificial grass very realistic
- High pile height of 1⅜ inches
- Numerous holes for fast drainage
Cons
- Not available in large rolls
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Best Cushioned
WMG GRASS Premium Artificial Grass
With its high pile height and dense construction, this artificial grass from WMG provides ample cushioning, making it ideal for pets or play. The grass boasts a pile height of 1.4 inches and a 70-ounce weight, making it one of the cushier artificial turf products on the market. Despite its thickness, it still drains well thanks to numerous holes in the base. It also has a realistic look, thanks to a multitone color and thatch intermingled with the blades of grass.
WMG Grass is an ideal fake grass for patio or balcony use as it comes in smaller sizes that range from 3-foot by 5-foot squares to 7-foot by 13-foot squares.
Product Specs
- Traffic use: Heavy
- Pile height: 1.4 inches
- Density: 70 ounces
Pros
- Dense design creates a plush surface
- Realistic look with four colors and imitation thatch
- Excellent drainage
Cons
- Only available in smaller sizes.
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Best Heavy-Duty
GL Artificial Grass Mats Lawn Carpet
With its high density and added treatments to resist weather, GL Artificial synthetic grass is one of the toughest artificial grasses that can be installed in the backyard. The grass features a 70-ounce weight per square yard, making it dense enough to handle heavy traffic. It is constructed from UV-resistant polyethylene and polypropylene, ensuring it will hold its color through many years in the sun.
In addition to being durable, it’s also realistic looking, thanks to its use of multiple color tones and artificial thatch. Numerous drainage holes in the backing make it ideal for draining off pet urine and rainwater. GL Artificial Grass mats come in sizes as small as 3 feet by 5 feet to large rolls of 13 feet by 82 feet.
Product Specs
- Traffic use: Heavy
- Pile height: 1⅜ inches
- Weight: 70 ounces
Pros
- Dense design can withstand heavy traffic
- High pile height
- Realistic look
- Numerous size options
Cons
- Expensive
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Best For Potty Training
LOOBANI Extra Large Grass Porch Potty Tray
This small potty tray is a great option for dog owners in the throes of potty training a pet. The Porch Potty Tray consists of a 35-inch by 23-inch tray with two interchangeable artificial grass inserts. Each grass mat is permeable, allowing liquids to flow through to the tray, which can then be rinsed and cleaned with a garden hose along with the mat.
With its 1.38-inch height, the grass is tall enough to create a cushioned surface for paws. With its natural look and feel that mimics real grass, the mat serves as an excellent means of teaching Spot to eventually do his business in the yard.
Product Specs
- Traffic use: Heavy
- Pile height: 1.38 inches
- Density: N/A
Pros
- Includes two grass pads
- Tray catches urine
- Easy to clean
- Large size suits all breeds
Cons
- Only one size available
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Our Verdict
For its realistic look, high pile, and ability to drain quickly, Pet Grow Pet Pad Artificial Grass Turf is one of the best artificial grass options for dog owners. Those looking for affordable fake grass that drains well and also has a realistic look with multiple color tones and imitation thatch may want to consider Petgrow Artificial Synthetic Grass Turf.
How We Chose the Best Artificial Grass for Dogs
We used several criteria to evaluate the 25 different artificial grass products for pets. Artificial grass needs to look as close to the real thing as possible, so we chose grasses that used multiple colors and other features such as imitation thatch to add realism.
Since artificial grass for pets is designed to handle pet waste, we only chose models with plenty of holes for quick drainage to prevent dog urine from pooling on top of the grass and causing unpleasant odors. Artificial grass also needs to be comfortable and durable, so most of our selections feature blade heights of around 1.5 inches and densities of 60 ounces or more.
The Advantages of Owning Artificial Grass for Dogs
There are a number of benefits to installing artificial grass for dogs. Not only is artificial grass easy to maintain and clean, but it also helps keep your home clean as it produces no mud or grass clippings for Fido to track into the home. Simply hose down the turf to remove urine and remnants of solid waste.
Artificial grass also helps reduce the pest population on a property. Unlike real grass, it does not allow bugs such as fleas, ticks, and ants to nest and multiply. Plus, unlike natural grass, your dog won’t be able to harm artificial grass by digging in it or killing the grass with its urine.
- Artificial grass is easy to clean.
- It doesn’t produce mud and clippings that a dog can track into a home.
- Insects won’t breed in it.
- It isn’t susceptible to damage from digging or pet urine.
FAQs
There is a lot to learn about artificial grass. Read on if you’re wondering whether dogs can go number two on artificial grass, or how to clean it properly when they do.
Q. Can dogs pee and poop on artificial grass?
Yes, dogs can pee and poop on an artificial lawn just as they would a natural lawn. Since artificial grass drains, you don’t need to worry about cleaning urine. It simply rinses away with rainwater.
Q. What thickness of artificial grass is best for dogs?
Look for a pile height of around 1 inch, which allows enough thickness for cushioning while making it easy to clean up solid waste.
Q. How do I clean my artificial grass?
Use a stiff brush to remove any leaves, dust, or dirt, sweeping against the grain to raise the grass upright. Hose down the grass to remove any residual droppings or dust.