Does Pet Artificial Grass in Portland Get Too Hot? (+ Tips on Keeping Your Dog Cool in the Yard)
Overheating is a major concern for dog owners, especially during the summer. Dogs run hotter than humans – their normal body temperature is around 101°F, as opposed to our 98.6°F – and they can easily become dehydrated or succumb to heatstroke if they are not properly taken care of.
That’s why a common question we get about our pet artificial grass in Portland is whether it gets too hot for dogs to use.
Before we answer, let’s check out some more facts about heat and your lawn.
How Hot Does Natural Grass Get?
It depends on the state of your natural lawn. Grass that is thick, healthy, well-watered and free from foot traffic stays cooler than grass that has been weakened by drought or overuse.
Are there bare spots on your lawn? Packed soil? Rocks? Clumps of mulch? These all absorb heat and keep it from dissipating, leading to a hotter surface temperature.
Even after the sun goes down, you’ve probably noticed that your yard stays warm for quite a while. This is because the soil has a high heat capacity – it doesn’t change temperature quickly, whether or not the sun is shining on it. In other words, your yard can hold on to a significant amount of heat energy than is uncomfortable for you and your pets.
How Hot Does Artificial Grass Get?
Artificial grass blades get slightly warmer than a natural lawn due to the materials it’s made of. However, it’s not nearly as hot as many other surfaces, including bare dirt, wood chips, sand, brick, asphalt, tiles and concrete.
Pet artificial grass in Portland also has several features that help keep them cool:
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● A soil-free structure
Again, soil has a high heat capacity and therefore absorbs a lot of energy. It also takes a long time to cool down. A synthetic grass expert in Portland will excavate soil before building the turf system, which reduces the heat-retentive elements of your lawn.
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● A uniform pile height
This means that heat can’t get trapped at different depths like it can when your grass is longer in some places than others. A uniform surface allows heat to dissipate evenly.
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● Infill
Infill doesn’t just provide shock absorption for pet turf installations. It also helps dissipate heat and maintain a high airflow. When these two things happen, it’s easier for your synthetic lawn to stay cool.
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● A porous backing
This feature is especially helpful on surfaces like wood and concrete. A porous foundation allows air to circulate underneath the artificial grass and reduces the amount of heat that gets trapped under and between artificial grass.
Together, these features allow pet turf to stay comfortable for dogs even on hot days.
How to Keep Your Dog Cool on Artificial Grass
Now that you know that your pet can safely enjoy synthetic grass in your yard, here are a few tips to keep it comfortable when it gets hot outside:
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✔ Provide plenty of water
This is the most important thing you can do. Dogs have a lower heat tolerance than humans, so they need more hydration to stay healthy and cool on hot days. A good rule of thumb is to keep a water bowl at your dog’s favorite spot on the lawn – or provide several places for it to drink throughout the day.
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✔ Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening.
This gives your pet a chance to enjoy artificial grass when the sun is not directly shining on it. If it’s too hot for you to enjoy being outside, it’s too hot for your dog!
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✔ Provide some shady spots.
There are lots of ways to do this. For instance, you could provide a covered pet run for your dog to chill under. You can also consider planting trees or bushes near the lawn. Use a raised planter or pots, which are both safe for artificial grass and look beautiful against it, too.
Learn More About Synthetic Grass for Dogs!
As dog lovers ourselves, Portland Artificial Grass knows how important it is to keep your furry best friend happy and healthy. We guarantee that our pet turf installations are safe, comfortable and can withstand anything your beloved pet can throw at it.
Aside from creating pet-friendly spaces, we can also install a kid’s play area, custom lawn, bocce ball court or a putting green in Portland – anything you have in mind!
If you have any questions, concerns or would like to learn more about what artificial grass can do for you, please feel free to contact us today! Call us at 971-290-5078 or send us a message using this form.
In the meantime, check out more helpful links:
- Is Artificial Turf Really Safer than Real Grass?
- Synthetic Lawn Fun: Play These 4 Games with Your Dog!
- Smart Dog-Proofing Tips for Synthetic Lawns