Many people are attracted towards installing artificial grass in their house or in their backyard. It becomes easy to maintain the artificial grass and at the same time, it saves water π§ and is convenient. But, with artificial grass, if you have a dog that loves spending time on the lawn then you might be worried. What if your dog pees or poops on the grass? What happens if a dog urinates on artificial grass?
Many dogs love being in the grass πΏ as it feels natural to them. But, because they are not potty-trained properly, they often encounter accidents on artificial grass. But, doesn’t it affect the grass? Well, no! Dog urine does not affect the artificial grass. Let us dive deeper and see what happens if a dog πΆ urinates on artificial grass.
What Happens If a Dog Urinates on Artificial Grass?
If your dog always urinates on artificial grass and you are concerned about the grass being damaged. Then, don’t worry! Dog urine does not affect artificial grass πΏ as it is made of synthetic materials that can be washed off.
Unlike natural organic grass, you don’t have to worry about dogs peeing or pooping π© on the grass.[1] Moreover, there is never a risk of discolouration or deterioration of artificial grass. The only thing you need to consider is the odour. The artificial grass cannot get rid of the dog’s urine odour. Thus, it is crucial that you check the grass frequently and clean it on a regular basis.
Usually, artificial grass for dogs uk is installed in areas with smooth drainage; where the water from the grass can easily be absorbed in the ground. The proper drainage from the grass will ensure that there aren’t any puddles of water or urine beneath the artificial grass.
Dog urine will easily pass through the grass and drain off but, the smell stays. For that, you just need a bucket full of water. You can either rinse the grass with a garden hose or use a bucket to flood the area with water π to get rid of any residues of urine.
How to Get Rid of the Urine Smell From Artificial Grass?
To get rid of the urine smell from the artificial grass, you need to wash the grass after the dog urinates on it. For this, you can use a mild soap π§Ό solution or a detergent if there are some stains of urine on the grass. You can also use a cleaner that is specifically designed to clean the urine stains.
Another option is using a water and vinegar solution on the affected area. You can mix one part of vinegar with three parts of water and spray this solution on the artificial grass πΏ. It is a natural deodorizer and disinfectant for the grass. Apart from this, enzymatic cleaners are specifically designed to break down proteins in pet urine, which is what produces the bad odour.
By properly cleaning the affected area you can get rid of the dog urine. Sometimes the dog urinates in your absence, thus it is important to keep an eye π on your dog when he plays on the lawn. This way you can keep the artificial grass πΏ clean and green without any odour.
How to Minimize the Damage Caused By Dog Urine?
Artificial grass is never affected by dog urine. However, if not washed properly over time dog urine may damage the grass. Fortunately, you can minimize this damage caused by dog πΆ urine.
Here are some suggestions to minimize the damage caused by dog urine:
- Train your dog to use a designated area: One of the best ways to avoid damage on artificial grass is to train your dog to use a specific area for urination. You can choose an area that has a different surface such as grave or sand. You can also use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats π, praise π or toys π§Έ to reward your dog.
- Water your artificial grass regularly: Another way is to water π§ your artificial grass regularly. Watering your artificial grass can help to dilute and wash away the urine components, reduce the odour and prevent the accumulation of bacteria. You can use a hose, a sprinkler or a rain barrel to water your artificial grass πΏ.
- Use enzyme-based cleaners: Enzyme-based cleaners are products that contain natural enzymes 𧴠that can break down urine components and eliminate odour and stains. You can apply the enzyme-based cleaners directly on the affected areas of artificial grass or use a spray bottle to cover a larger area.
- Apply repellents: Another way to prevent or minimize dog urine damage on artificial grass is to apply repellents. Repellents are products that can deter your dog πΆ from urinating on your artificial grass by creating an unpleasant sensation or smell π for your dog. You can use natural repellents such as vinegar, lemon juice or cayenne pepper.
Along with proper cleaning, knowing how to lay artificial grass for dogs the right way helps minimize potential damage from urine. Correct installation allows liquid to drain through.
FAQs
Is artificial grass safe for dogs?
Artificial grass is generally safe for dogs, as long as it is made of high-quality materials and installed properly. However, some dogs may have skin irritations from the synthetic fibres or the chemicals used in the artificial grass. Therefore, it is advisable to monitor your dogβs health and behaviour after using it.
How often should I clean my artificial grass if I have a dog?
You should clean your artificial grass at least once a week or more often if the weather is hot and dry. Cleaning your artificial grass can help to remove the urine components, reduce the odour and prevent the growth of bacteria. You should avoid using harsh chemicals or bleach that can damage your artificial grass or harm your dog.
How do you clean dog urine off artificial grass?
Artificial grass is really easy to clean. Pet urine will drain through the backing holes in the artificial grass. However, to keep the area sanitary for the whole family, you should wash the area with warm soapy water or a disinfectant solution when you can.
Wrapping Up
So, what happens if your dog urinates on artificial grass? Well, nothing to worry about! Artificial grass is made up of synthetic materials and so can be easily washed. There is no risk of the grass being pale or any dead leaves π because of dog urine.
However, it is important to wash off π the affected area in order to maintain the artificial grass otherwise it will affect the grass in the long run and also make you feel dizzy due to the urine odour. Thus, clean off the affected area once the dog has urinated. This will make the artificial grass look clean and green! ππΆ
Be sure to clean up any solid waste from your dog quickly as well. Check out our guide on how to clean dog poop off artificial grass for tips.
References:
- Dog urine damage on lawns | University of Maryland Extension. (n.d.). University of Maryland Extension.