Will Artificial Turf for Dogs Cause Any Allergies or Health Issues for Pets?

You want the best for your four-legged family members. One part of this is ensuring your backyard isn’t making your dogs sick or uncomfortable. Natural grass can trigger allergic reactions and cause various health issues for pets. On the bright side, the solution can be as straightforward as switching to artificial turf for dogs.

Artificial Grass Reduces the Risk of Allergies in Dogs

As a pet parent, you may have noticed bouts of sneezing, itching, or swollen paws during certain times of the year. These symptoms can be a sign of grass allergies, a common issue for dogs and one triggered by natural grass.

Most natural grass types produce pollen, a major allergen for dogs. They can also harbor fungus and mold, both of which can cause allergic reactions in sensitive dogs.

Artificial grass, however, doesn’t produce pollen, nor does it host fungi or mold. It offers a clean and hypoallergenic playground for your pups. 

Instead of worrying about microscopic pathogens and allergens, your dogs can enjoy frolicking in your backyard without the threat of an allergy attack. Plus, when it comes to cleaning, artificial grass just needs an occasional rinse-down with non-irritant cleaners to stay neat and allergen-free.

Other Health Problems Dogs That Artificial Grass Prevent

When thinking of health risks in the lawn, allergies might be the first point to come up, but there are more concerns that can hurt your four-legged friends. Let’s explore them and how synthetic turf makes them a thing of the past.

Tick and Flea Infestations

The moist and warm environment of natural grass makes it an ideal breeding ground for fleas and ticks. These parasites can latch onto your dogs, leading to an infestation that could cause them severe discomfort, skin issues, or diseases such as Lyme disease. 

Artificial turf for dogs doesn’t provide the environment that these pests need to thrive, reducing the risk of infestations.

Paw Burn and Scratches

The rough texture of some grass types, rocks, sticks, or small holes in the lawn can cause cuts, scrapes, and injuries to your dog’s paws. Not to mention the burning effect some grass types have during summer! 

Artificial grass is designed with pets in mind. It provides a soft and uniform surface for play, which can help protect your pet from injuries. It also doesn’t retain heat, so it doesn’t get hot enough to burn paws during hot days.

Grass Burrs

Grass burrs or stickers are pesky problems of many natural lawns. They stick in your dog’s fur and can cause serious discomfort, skin irritations, or even infections. 

With artificial grass, these prickly nuisances become a worry of the past because pet turf doesn’t grow them. The only way grass burrs can end up on your synthetic lawn is when they’re blown there by the wind or carried there by a critter. Rinsing the turf before play times easily removes them. 

Lawn Chemical Poisoning

To keep natural lawns lush and pest-free, many homeowners use herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. While essential to keeping grass healthy and beautiful, these chemicals can be toxic to pets. 

Dogs, with their instinctive sniffing and nibbling behavior, may ingest these harmful chemicals, leading to poisoning that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, or worse.

Artificial turf doesn’t need these harmful chemicals. It stays green and pest-free all year round, offering a safer environment for your pets to play and roll around.

Soil-Borne Diseases

Parasitic worms such as hookworms and roundworms thrive in the soil of natural lawns. Dogs can easily pick up eggs and larvae while playing or digging, leading to infestations that can harm their gastrointestinal tract.

Artificial grass provides a non-organic surface where these parasites cannot reproduce and thrive. It significantly reduces the risk of your pets coming into contact with these harmful organisms.

Diseases in Stagnant Water

After heavy rain, puddles can form on natural lawns, serving as breeding grounds for mosquitoes that can spread heartworm disease. Stagnant water can also harbor bacteria and protozoa, leading to diseases such as leptospirosis.

Artificial turf, with its efficient drainage system, prevents water pooling. Even after a downpour, the water swiftly drains away, leaving no place for the disease-carrying organisms to breed.

More Reasons to Install Artificial Turf for Dogs

Artificial grass has quickly become the go-to landscaping choice for pet owners. Beyond the health benefits that we’ve examined, this versatile surface brings a multitude of practical advantages that enhance the quality of life for both you and your pets. 

• Durability: Synthetic turf can stand up against digging claws and rowdy play. It can handle running, jumping, and rough-and-tumble doggy games, staying lush and green after repeated wear.

• Cleanliness: Artificial grass combats the challenges of muddy paws and dirt tracked into your home. Its quick-draining capacity means that rains will no longer leave soggy areas that can create a mess when your dogs play. It’s also soil-free, so there’s no dirt that can turn into mud.

• Consistent Look: Unlike natural grass, artificial turf withstands both drought and waterlogged conditions, maintaining its pleasant aesthetic look throughout the changing seasons.

• Low Maintenance: Artificial grass requires less maintenance compared to natural grass. Besides toxic chemicals, you can say goodbye to expensive lawn care services, laborious mowing, watering, and weeding!

Turn Your Yard Into a Pet Paradise

When it comes to your dogs’ health and happiness, no stone should be left unturned, and often, the solution lies right beneath their paws – artificial grass. Not only does it eliminate common allergens, but artificial turf also provides a safe, comfortable space for them to enjoy.

Is it time to create a healthier, allergen-free, and more enjoyable outdoor environment for your four-legged family member? Reach out to Field Turf Landscape today! 

Let our turf experts guide you to the best options for a safer, happier, pet-friendly backyard. Our team can also help you landscape and set up synthetic turf for a fast and hassle-free installation. Contact us online or dial 866-352-4575 today for a free consultation!