While artificial grass is a common, safe alternative for many homeowners with dogs and grassy backyards, there are some things to keep in mind. One of the biggest concerns is heat, especially during the summer months when turf can get very hot in direct sunlight.
That doesn’t mean it isn’t a good option for pet owners. With the right materials, proper installation, and a few simple backyard habits and upgrades, artificial grass can still be a safe and comfortable surface for dogs, even when the weather gets hot.
Yes, artificial turf gets hot fairly quickly, especially during sunny and hot days. For dogs, hot turf can be dangerous. Dogs have paw pads that can easily burn on hot surfaces. When their paws come into contact with hot turf, the skin on their paws can burn and peel, often causing severe injury.
So, just like it’s recommended to avoid walking your dog in extremely hot or cold temperatures, it’s recommended to avoid turf in extreme temperatures. This can prevent them from overheating or injuring themselves.
If you’ve got turf in your backyard, fear not! Luckily, there are several ways to keep artificial grass cool enough for dogs. Try one of these ideas to keep your fake grass cool for your furry friend:
If you have a patio area where you enjoy sitting outside, chances are, there’s room for an outdoor umbrella. Adding an umbrella to your backyard is a great way to create a cooler space away from the sun for your furry friend. Add it to a patio table or nearby lounge chairs for extra shade.
Alternatively, attach a shade sail to the back of your house for quick and easy shading!
If you have the space, a pergola can be a wonderful addition to your backyard. Pergolas are shade structures that are typically much larger than umbrellas, so they can shade a wider area from the sun. Plus, some come with curtains that you can pull down the side as the sun moves throughout the day.
If your yard allows it, try to create extra shaded areas for your pup. This could involve planting dog-friendly plants in your backyard. Plant a small tree or install a garden trellis to accompany your flowerbeds. Spacing out flowers and plants is a simple way to create shady areas for your pup to explore without coming into contact with hot turf. And, it often enhances the overall natural feel of your landscaping.
If your dog loves to play outside during all types of weather, consider creating a special play area for them in your backyard. To keep them cool, create the play area near shade. Try out temperature-friendly items, such as a dog cooling mat or pool, to keep them extra cool during hot days.
Even with high-quality turf, it’s important to stay aware of temperatures during the hottest parts of the day. A few simple habits can help keep your yard more comfortable:
These small steps can help reduce heat and create a safer space for your dog to enjoy.
There are many pros and cons of synthetic turf for dogs. While fake grass can be very hot during warm months, it is generally very safe for dogs. Many dog owners prefer turf over natural grass since it does not require mowing and holds up to everyday dog wear-and-tear.
Artificial grass is also great for dogs who love to spend a lot of time outside. It’s easy to create designated dog play areas in shady spots. Plus, it can easily be replaced as needed, unlike natural grass, which often takes a long time to regrow and maintain.
Natura provides a much cooler surface temperature than other traditional turf or hard surfaces. Our turf system is hybrid, meaning it’s designed to protect real grass instead of completely covering it. This allows dogs optimal enrichment during long backyard sniffs, while also maintaining natural backyard elements.
Our turf works to reduce heat buildup and improve airflow, helping the surface cool down more quickly than other turf options. This makes a noticeable difference for pet owners. Instead of avoiding your yard during peak temps, you have more flexibility to use your space throughout the day.
Natura’s turf fibers are built for durability and comfort, making them a strong choice for dog owners who want a long-lasting, pet-friendly grass solution. Our materials are designed to handle regular use while still feeling comfortable underfoot.
Because our turf is hybrid, dogs get the benefit of a partially natural backyard, while their owners gain a much lower-maintenance yard. And while turf can get very hot during warmer months, our turf tends to be significantly cooler because of the natural grass that’s growing within the turf. Natura’s turf is also free from the carcinogens that are harmful to dogs, making it a great option for dog owners looking for pet-friendly artificial grass options.
We strive to create products that keep dogs and their people happy and healthy, so we had to know how Natura dog turf stacks up against some of its alternatives: traditional artificial turf and natural grass. We also wanted to know how hot sidewalks get, as they’re typically seen as danger zones for dogs in hot weather. We went out into the field with our trusty laser thermometer to get to the bottom of artificial turf temperature. We love a good experiment around here!
We set out on our data-gathering journey on an ideal day for the readings: a sweltering late-June Thursday in St. Louis, Missouri. The forecast read 100 degrees Fahrenheit on the dot, and you could certainly feel every degree. Bear in mind, though it was very hot, the sky was somewhat overcast, meaning all the surfaces we tested are likely to be even hotter on a clear and similarly warm day.
Every good experiment needs a control group, and grass is as standard as it gets. Even on such a hot day, you can see that grass’s natural properties keep it cool to the touch. Dogs can cool themselves on grass and walk on it without issue at this temperature. To a dog, a patch of grass like this might look like a hidden oasis on a hot Summer day.
We were surprised to find that this dog park turf was at a likely dangerous temperature for dogs at 118 degrees Fahrenheit. What looks like an inviting and cooling surface to a dog turns out to be a possible hazard. It’s this very danger that likely convinced the property owner to put up a warning sign.
This is an important lesson for dog owners and caregivers everywhere: just because a surface looks safe for dogs in hot weather doesn’t mean it necessarily is. As the sign suggests, placing the back of your hand on the turf for five seconds is a useful way to measure dog safety in high temperatures—but it’s also useful to remember to double check if you’re looking at real grass or artificial turf as they clearly react to heat differently.
This one really surprised us at 113 degrees Fahrenheit. We didn’t expect the sidewalk to be cooler than artificial turf, but the difference could be accounted for by local factors such as shade from the clouds and slightly different ambient temperatures. Regardless, the nearly 30-degree Fahrenheit difference between natural grass and the sidewalk is staggering. It really puts things into perspective and highlights the importance of diligent temperature monitoring for dog owners and caretakers. Injury occurs on these surfaces quicker than you’d suspect—and dogs aren’t necessarily great at communicating or understanding what is wrong.
Coming in at 86.2 degrees Fahrenheit, we were thrilled to find that Natura turf reacts to heat similarly to natural grass. When designing Natura, we strived to create a surface that combined all the benefits of artificial turf with those of natural grass—and heat was a main concern during the design and manufacturing process.
Natura contains UV stabilizers to keep it from degrading under the sun. Natura turf is also formulated with infrared reflective pigment to prevent the turf from absorbing too much heat and becoming dangerously hot.
Grass manages to stay at a safe surface temperature for dogs even on a 90 degree day in St. Louis, Missouri.
Other surfaces like traditional artificial turf and asphalt are more likely to reach unsafe temperatures and require human discretion to determine if they’re safe to walk on during hot days.
Natura turf performs similarly to grass in hot weather, and its heat-dissipating properties are only projected to increase as more natural grass grows through the product.
It’s up to us dog owners and caretakers to keep our pooches in mind during hot weather. Most heat injuries are preventable given proper education, preparation, and diligence.
If you’re looking improve the safety and comfort of your facility, Natura turf comes at about a quarter of the installed price of traditional artificial turf and it’s green year-round, whether grass is dormant or lush. As you can see, Natura turf also delivers in the heat, so you have one less thing to worry about in hot weather.
Artificial grass can be a great option for pet owners when it’s installed with the right materials and setup. A well-designed artificial lawn provides a clean, low-maintenance space that holds up to everyday use.
With a pet-safe turf system, proper airflow, and a few simple cooling strategies, your backyard can stay comfortable and usable, including during hot weather. If you’re exploring options for your yard, choosing a high-quality turf system designed for dogs can make all the difference.
If you want the cooler benefits of natural grass, but don’t want the wear, learn more about Natura’s turf options, call 888-495-7599 or send us a message on our website.
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