Dog owners who are new to artificial turf often find it difficult to choose the artificial grass for dogs that suits their needs. There are simply too many options in the market. When choosing the right kind of artificial grass for your dogs, it is important to have a criteria.
Simplified Criteria in Choosing Artificial Grass for Dogs
To help narrow down the choices, we have listed several key criteria that need to be considered during the selection process.
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Turf Material
Comfort is very important for dogs. They like lying down on the turf especially after playing. It is important to get artificial grass that feels as close as possible to natural grass.
Artificial grass made from nylon is the most durable and most expensive. It is excellent for active dogs as it could withstand rough activities. However, nylon grass fibers may not be as soft as you would expect.
On the other hand, polypropylene grass blades are soft to the touch. It has considerably finer texture compared to nylon and gives a more realistic appearance for a synthetic grass installation. Polypropylene artificial turfs are the cheapest variant but they are also the least durable.
Last but not the least, there are also artificial grass made from polyethylene material. Polyethylene good for all-around use. It is more durable than polypropylene but not as much as nylon. It is soft to the touch but resilient enough to withstand most dog activities.
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Pile Height
Fundamentally, pile height refers to the length of the grass blades. Longer piles give the lawn a lush look. Shorter piles give the lawn a freshly mowed vibe. If you chose Miami, FL artificial turf made from nylon, go for longer piles to compensate for the stiffness of the blades. This will ensure that your dog will be comfortable enough while playing or lying down on the turf.
For artificial turfs made from polypropylene, choose shorter piles because longer piles will often get flattened. Note that it can be brought back to its original form by brushing it upright.
Artificial turf made from polyethylene material looks and feels great with any pile length. The choice will depend on the aesthetic you would like for the lawn.
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Pile Density
Pile density refers to the number of fibers stitched to the turf’s backing and how close they are to each other. The denser the pile, the more durable the artificial grass for dogs is. For households with dogs, a pile density of at least 15,000 stitches per square meter is recommended. This ensures that there is enough cushion for the dog as well as enough resistance to activity.
Choose Wisely
Knowing which aspects need to be considered will help a lot in choosing the right type of artificial grass for dogs. Feel free to factor in your personal preferences like the aesthetics of your lawn. More importantly, do not forget to factor in the budget allocated for synthetic grass installation. Choose the turf that suits both you and your dog’s needs.