What we install for dogs
We build pet areas around one product and one goal: urine and rinse water go down, not sideways. Most dog yards, runs and kennels get Premier Pet Flow 55, a 1.25-inch S-blade in field green and apple with green and tan thatch and flow-through drainage.
If you are still comparing blade shapes and pile heights, our guide to the best artificial turf for dogs covers that. This page covers how we install it. Where the dog area is part of a larger lawn, we can pair it with Tropical Flow 62 for sunny, high-traffic yards or Tropical Flow 50 for side yards and narrow runs.
How we build a pet area so it drains
Drainage is decided by the base, not just the turf. Every pet install follows the same steps:
- Dig out 3–4 inches of grass, roots and topsoil.
- Check grading so water runs away from the house at a 1–2% slope.
- Compact the subgrade, set edging and add a geotextile weed barrier where needed.
- Lay 3–4 inches of crushed aggregate (Class II road base or 3/8-inch-minus) in compacted 1–2 inch layers.
- Top with about 1/2 inch of fines, screeded, wetted and compacted, then check for soft spots.
- Lay, seam and nail the turf, then add infill and brush it in.
Premier Pet Flow 55 takes 1–2 lbs of infill per sq ft. The infill holds the blades upright and adds weight so the turf stays put when dogs run and turn. Your installer will walk you through infill options for your yard.
Built for running, turning and digging
A shorter, resilient blade handles dog traffic better than a tall, soft lawn turf. Premier Pet Flow 55 has a 1.25-inch pile and 55 oz face weight, so it springs back in the fence-line paths dogs wear in and is easier to rinse than a deeper pile.
Seams and edges are nailed down over the compacted base, which leaves no loose dirt at the surface. For daycares and kennels with heavy daily use, we plan rinse access and slope with you before install.
Heat: what to expect in full sun
All artificial turf gets hot in direct summer sun. UF/IFAS researchers report surfaces can reach 174°F on the hottest days, while natural grass stays near 102°F. The ASPCA warns that dogs’ paw pads can burn on hot surfaces and recommends shade and fresh water in hot weather.
In practice: put the dog area where it gets afternoon shade if you can, keep a water bowl and a shaded spot out, hose the turf down before play on hot days, and save hard exercise for mornings and evenings.
Cleaning routine and safety
A pet area needs a few minutes a week. Pick up solid waste as you would on grass, hose down the spots your dog uses, and cross-brush high-traffic areas so the blades stay upright. Our turf maintenance guide has the full routine.
Every Turf Factory product is Made in U.S.A. and lead & PFAS free. Premier Pet Flow 55 carries a 16-year warranty; the warranty page has the written terms. For budgeting, see what artificial turf costs.
Get a free pet turf estimate
Your local installer will measure the area, check drainage and slope, and quote the base and turf for your dogs. Find your local installer to get a free estimate.
