K9 Grass: What Is It and Why Is It Beneficial to Use?

If you have a dog or are a multiple dog family, you probably already know that one of the challenges of keeping your house and backyard clean is the amount of mud and dirt that gets tracked in. There is an alternative to natural grass for pets, and it is called K9 Grass. Basically, K9 Grass is an artificial grass for dogs. I am going to share with you in detail all that you will need to know to decide if K9 Grass is right for you. Additionally, I will discuss where you can buy K9 Grass, how to maintain it, how to install it, the durability, and the pros and cons of this type of artificial grass.

What is K9 Grass?

K9 grass is artificial grass for dogs. K9 grass is also called pet turf or dog turf. The purpose of this “fake grass for dogs” is to give you a cleaner, safer, better smelling environment for your dogs. K9 grass looks very similar to live grass and has the same feeling as regular grass. A nice feature of K9 grass is that muddy paws cannot ruin it. Many dog shelters, dog parks, dog daycares, and other pet facilities use this type of artificial turf for dogs. However, anyone who wants a cleaner backyard can use it as well.

Where Can I Buy K9 Grass?

K9 grass is actually very popular, despite its unusual and interesting name. Therefore, this artificial grass for pets can be found almost anywhere. Amazon is one very popular site that sells K9 grass. On Amazon, you will have the option of buying K9 grass in a large roll or as small square tiles. Other common places to find K9 grass is Walmart, Target, and Home Depot or other local stores. Besides these common, well-known stores, you can also shop online on K9 grass websites. K9grass.com is one such site. The website will help you find K9 grass dealers near you that will both sell and install K9 grass. Another great place to check out is foreverlawn.com, which is actually part of the website K9grass.

K9 Grass Maintenance

K9 grass requires little maintenance and can be easier to maintain than grass. For starters, you do not have to mow the grass every week. Another benefit of K9 grass is that you will not have to water it. Instead, you can enjoy summer watching your lawn stay green. With that being said, K9 grass, however, does require some maintenance. Here are some ways to help preserve your synthetic grass for dogs:

Remove Pet Waste from the Grass

Just as you would do with natural grass, you do have to remove your pets’ solid waste from your K9 grass. Liquid waste can be washed away with a hose. Although it may seem like pet waste will damage the K9 grass, it will not. K9 grass is very similar to natural grass and is just as easy to clean. Also, if installed correctly, K9 grass will have good drainage which allows you to spray your entire yard with water to wash away any stains. Even though K9 grass may seem more like a carpet than grass, it is actually just as easy to clean as natural grass, if not easier.

Remove Spills as Needed

If you happen to spill a drink on the K9 grass or spill anything that could stain the grass, make sure you remove it immediately. Wash the area with water and mild detergent, and lightly scrub the area with a brush. Almost any stain can be removed from K9 grass as long as it is cleaned up immediately. Even if you spill paint, you should be able to clean it up. Do note that if your K9 grass came with a warranty or liability, using harsh chemicals to clean the grass may limit the liability claim.

Keep Sparks, Flames, and Heat Away from the Grass

Make sure to keep sparks, flames, and heat away from your K9 grass because they may cause your grass to melt. For example, do not install a fire pit on the grass, and do not place a grill directly on the grass. Also, do not use flames, such as fireworks, near the grass.

Watch for Loose Edges

If an edge comes loose, it can easily be reattached with a staple gun. Simply staple it back onto the nailer board (if that is what was used during installation). It is important to keep an eye out on your K9 grass, and repairs should be done as soon as a problem is spotted.

Keep Vehicles off the Grass

Not only can the grass bend under the pressure of a vehicle, but the sharp edges may ruin your vehicle. Also, make avoid using a lawnmower on the grass. If you have natural grass growing near the artificial turf, use extreme caution.

Remove Dirt and Debris

Use a leaf blower, vacuum, or power broom to remove dirt and debris from your turf grass for pets. This should be done regularly. Another maintenance tip is to groom your grass with a rake or power broom every once in a while. This will keep your lawn looking fresh. Make sure to pull the rake/broom against the lay of the K9 grass, so that it lifts the blades.

Clean the Surface

You should regularly wash your K9 grass by spraying it with a hose or even washing it with a mild detergent.

Professional Installation vs. DIY Installation

I have already discussed where to buy K9 grass, so let’s go over the difference between DIY installation and professional installation. Although it may seem the same since both are installed using the same grass, there is a difference that I will share below:

Professional Installation

Having a professional install your K9 grass can be beneficial, especially if you are new to K9 grass. Professional K9 grass installers will install the grass correctly in a short amount of time. Unlike installing it by yourself which may take a week or two, a professional can have it done in two days. The more professionals that come to install the grass, the quicker the installation will go. The downside to professional installation is that it will cost more money.

Professionals will most likely charge you dump or delivery costs. It will probably cost significantly more than if you do it yourself, but it may be worth the money. Because professionals install it correctly, you won’t have to worry about having to spend money later to fix or re-install the K9 grass. Another benefit to hiring a professional to install the grass for you is that it may last a lot longer. Oftentimes, people who try installing the grass themselves may accidentally snag the K9 grass or install it over bumps. Not only will such mistakes prevent your lawn from looking as nice, but it may also lead to permanent damage. Therefore, hiring a professional may be well worth your money.

Do It Yourself Installation

For those who love doing things themselves, you will most likely enjoy installing your own K9 grass. And there are a few benefits. One benefit is that you won’t have to pay a professional extra fees, such as fees for dumping and delivering. Instead, you use your money to buy the supplies you will need. Another benefit to installing it yourself is that it can be a great experience, and you will learn a lot. The downside to installing K9 grass yourself is that it can take a long time to install. It may take a week or two to complete this project. Another con is that if you install it improperly, it can shorten the K9 grass lifespan and you will need to spend money fixing it, whereas you could spend your money now to pay a professional to install it correctly the first time.

Average Cost to Install

The K9 grass cost will vary, depending on if you decide to install it yourself or not. The average cost for K9 grass is $8 to $14 per square foot. This may vary too, depending on if you buy a roll of artificial grass or tile shaped grass. Let’s discuss the fees that a professional may charge you. Here is the estimated cost:

• Dump Fee: $200
• Delivery Fee: $150
• Fueling Fee: $150
• Labor: $3 per square foot

As you can see from these estimated costs, you will soon be paying a substantial amount of money for hiring a professional. Installing it yourself may end up being more cost effective if you install it correctly. Here is a list of some of the tools you will need. Remember that the price each tool will vary. Keep in mind that you may already have some of the tools, which would help keep costs down.

• Tape Measure – $1 to $10
• Shovel – $10 to $200
• Tamping Bar – $20 to $40
• Gloves – $5 to $20, depending on the quality
• Utility Knife – $5 to $20
• Turf Infill – $30
• Turf Nails – $30 for 100 nails
• Seam Tape – $2
• Turf Glue – $50 for a bucket of glue
• Turf Grass – About $3 per square foot

Durability

K9 grass is considered the most durable of all synthetic grass. It should last at least 10 to 15 years, depending on how much wear and tear it gets. In order for it to last longer, you should keep it clean and quickly repair any loose edges. Follow all maintenance tips, including the ones given, and make sure to keep any hot items away from the grass. Also, if you are installing the K9 grass yourself, make sure to install it correctly. Installing it wrong can lead to a shorter grass lifespan, so be careful.

Pros and Cons

As with all products, K9 grass has its pros and cons. Listed below are some of the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Creates a clean environment for dogs.
• No more muddy paw stains on your lawn.
• K9 grass saves you money since you will not need to spend money on sprinkler systems, lawn mowers, and sprinkler repairs.
• No weeds will grow on your artificial lawn.
• Easy maintenance.
• Safer option for dogs and young children, since they won’t get hurt on uneven ground and patches of dirt.
• Your dog cannot dig up your yard, so you won’t have to deal with holes.

Cons:

• ​The price to install it can be expensive.
• ​Improper installation can result in a shorter lifespan for your K9 grass.
• ​K9 grass may absorb heat, and therefore hurt your dog’s paws.
• Once you install K9 grass, you will probably have to always live with that grass. If you remove it, natural grass probably won’t grow back.
• Some people wonder if K9 grass is made from healthy materials. Some people think it may contain harmful chemicals, but this may not be true.
• Grass will melt if a hot item is on or near it, such as a grill.

Conclusion

I hope that I have helped you to understand and learn more about K9 Grass. At this point you have probably decided if K9 grass will work well for you or not. If possible, visit someone with K9 grass and ask them questions. It is more expensive than natural grass, but for some families, it will be well worth the expense because of the easy maintenance and upkeep costs.