Artificial Turf for Dogs and Pets: A Complete Guide

Pet owners are one of the largest groups choosing artificial turf, and for good reason. Natural grass and dogs often do not coexist well — muddy paws, dead patches from urine, holes from digging, and constant maintenance. Pet turf solves most of these problems, but only when the right product is chosen and installed correctly. A poorly planned pet turf installation can lead to odor, drainage issues, and wasted money.

What Makes Pet Turf Different

Not all artificial turf is suitable for pets. Turf designed for pet use differs from standard landscape turf in several important ways:

Perforated Backing

Standard turf has a solid backing with small drainage holes punched at intervals. Pet-specific turf uses a fully perforated or flow-through backing that allows liquids to drain immediately rather than pooling on the surface. This is the single most important feature for pet applications. Without it, urine sits on the surface and causes odor.

Antimicrobial Infill

Standard silica sand infill does nothing for odor. Pet turf installations use antimicrobial infill like zeolite (a natural mineral that absorbs ammonia from urine) or Durafill (acrylic-coated sand with antimicrobial properties). These infills actively neutralize odors between cleanings.

Shorter Pile Height

Pet areas benefit from shorter turf (1-1.25 inches) compared to landscape turf (1.5-2.25 inches). Shorter fibers are easier to clean, dry faster, and allow solid waste to sit on top for easy removal rather than getting buried between long blades.

Drainage Is Everything

The base layer under pet turf is just as important as the turf itself. A proper pet turf base includes:

• 3-4 inches of compacted decomposed granite or crushed rock for drainage
• Proper grading to direct water away from structures (1-2% slope minimum)
• Weed barrier fabric between the soil and aggregate base
• Optional: a dedicated drainage layer or French drain for areas with poor soil percolation

See our turf drainage guide for a detailed look at base preparation and drainage solutions.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Daily / As Needed

• Pick up solid waste promptly — do not let it sit
• Spray down urine spots with a garden hose if possible

Weekly

• Rinse the entire turf area with a hose to flush urine through the drainage system
• Brush high-traffic areas with a stiff bristle broom to keep fibers upright

Monthly

• Apply a turf-specific enzyme cleaner to break down organic residue
• Check infill levels in high-traffic areas and top off if needed

What to Avoid

• Bleach and ammonia-based cleaners — they damage fibers and can harm pets
• Pressure washers — they displace infill and can damage the backing
• Vinegar in large quantities — it can alter the pH balance of pet-safe infill

Cost for Pet Turf

Pet turf installations typically cost $8-$15 per square foot, slightly more than standard landscape turf due to the perforated backing, antimicrobial infill, and enhanced drainage requirements. A typical 200-400 square foot dog run costs $2,000-$5,000 installed. Visit our cost guide for a full breakdown.

Find a Pet Turf Specialist

Not every turf installer has experience with pet applications. Look for a contractor who specifically offers pet turf and can explain their drainage and infill approach. Browse Turf Install Pros to find contractors in Texas, Arizona, California, Florida, and Nevada.

Related guides: Turf Infill Types Explained · Turf Drainage Guide · Artificial Turf Installation Cost Guide