Apollow and Midas, Shandell Mooney's Australian Shepherds, drink water from a bowl in a close-up view of K9 Grass artificial dog turf, April 23, 2008, in Green, Ohio.
Posted on Wed, May. 07, 2008
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Artificial surface becoming more popular for pets
By MARY BETH BRECKENRIDGE
The Akron Beacon Journal
http://www.ohio.com/MOST-READ STORIES
AKRON, Ohio --
Dog owners are starting to dig this grass, largely because their pets can't.It's artificial turf that can stand up to whatever dogs dish out, be it claws or waste. And that means no mud, no dead spots in the grass and very little bother for humans.
Synthetic dog turf is being installed at some kennels and homes where owners want the look and the paw-friendly feel of grass with less fuss and mess.
It was the choice of Stephen and Shandell Mooney, who wanted to create a grassy area where their two active Australian Shepherds could play and relieve themselves but didn't want the dogs tracking mud into their brand new house in Green, Ohio. The Mooneys recently installed a brand of turf called K9Grass inside a fenced, 30-by-30-foot area.
The first time the dogs encountered the synthetic turf, "there was a little bit of trepidation," Stephen Mooney said. They needed a little reassurance that, unlike the carpet in the house, it was OK to go on this stuff.
But it didn't take long for the dogs to catch on.
"They're marking all over the place now," he said.
HOW IT WORKS
Dog turf is the same or much like the current generation of artificial grass used on athletic fields. In many cases, the turf is no different; it's just marketed for dog use. ForeverLawn's K9Grass, on the other hand, was developed specifically for dogs, with added features such as a faster-draining backing and antimicrobial protection.
The blades of artificial grass are usually made of materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene or nylon - or a combination of them - and are attached to a mat, much like carpet.
The mat is perforated to allow liquids such as urine and water to drain through, and the turf is installed over a base material such as crushed rock that allows the liquid to percolate into the soil. Drainage systems are sometimes installed beneath the turf to facilitate the flow of liquids away from the surface.
Solid waste can be picked up easily and the turf hosed down or sanitized when necessary. K9Grass has an antimicrobial additive called AlphaSan incorporated in the grass blades to inhibit germ growth and odors.
The turf is anchored along the edges, and an infill material such as sand or tiny pieces of rubber is sometimes spread over the surface and allowed to settle among the blades to keep the blades upright and hold the turf in place. K9Grass doesn't use an infill but instead incorporates an artificial thatch made of curled blades, which makes the turf easier to clean, marketing director Donna Kent said.
