Your pet’s health and happiness are a big deal. So is getting the most out of your beautiful artificial grass investment, right? That’s why we’re here today: to become discerning and informed shoppers who know exactly how to choose the best infill for pet turf.
I had a real light-bulb moment when I was first learning about infill and artificial grass for pets. A part of my brain was like, “Are these infill options really all that different? The turf is what matters, right?” Well, yes and no. Choosing quality turf definitely matters to your pet, but there is a surprising amount of variety (and impact) of infill choices. Think of it this way: infill is like the pet food you choose for your furry family-members. It can vastly improve health, beauty, performance, and longevity for your synthetic lawn.
So, lets talk infill options, their pros/cons, and what you need to look for in order to get the most beautiful, resilient, pet-friendly artificial lawn possible!
Infill for Pet Turf: Getting Started
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- Infill is crucial for the performance and longevity of pet turf
- Key factors are odor control, antimicrobial properties, and comfort for pets
- Different infills offer pros and cons in terms of cost, safety, and maintenance
- Coated sand infills like Envirofill offer the best balance of benefits
- Consult with a professional to choose the optimal infill for your needs and budget
What Does Infill Do?
Let’s start with some foundational information on infill. (Gotta start with the basics to make an informed decision, right?) Infill is a material that is spread across artificial grass, where it kind of sinks into the blades. It’s generally made up of a lot of small sand or pellet-like pieces. Infill is a crucial part of artificial grass. And it plays a vital role in your fake turf’s overall performance and longevity. Not all artificial grass requires infill, but we nearly always recommend it for outdoor use. It just makes your turf better in so many ways.
Right up-front, infill is key to boosting your artificial turf’s stability. It weighs down the grass, preventing it from shifting. And it helps maintain a consistent surface. All those little infill pieces also surround each individual turf fiber, supporting its upright position and preventing matting. This is especially important for turf that sees a lot of foot traffic or pet activity.
Infill also enhances the realistic feel of artificial grass when walking on it. You want that nice, natural, springy “foot feel.” The infill granules mimic the cushioning effect of natural soil, creating a more comfortable and authentic experience underfoot. This added cushioning also helps protect the turf fibers from excessive wear, extending the lifespan of the artificial grass. So, you get a softer feel on Fido’s paws AND a longer life out of your turf. Pretty good stuff!
Oh, but I’m not done, yet. Infill also plays a role in protecting the backing of artificial grass from the sun (harmful UV rays, specifically). Protecting the backing helps prevent premature degradation. So you get better overall durability out of your whole turf system.
A good infill also makes your turf better-looking. All those granules contribute to the lush, natural appearance of your artificial grass. How? By supporting the turf fibers and maintaining their upright position, infill helps create a fuller, more realistic look for that real-grass look.
Infill has come a long way over the last few decades, which is great for your pet. For example, Envirofill provides antimicrobial protection to help prevent the growth of bacteria and odors.
Why Infill Matters for Pet Turf
So, let’s get to the heart of it. Why does finding the best infill for pet turf matter? We just covered how infill generally helps artificial grass’s performance and beauty. So, what do you want to be thinking about for your perfectly pet-friendly turf?
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- Drainage: Infill helps water and pet waste drain through the turf, preventing pooling and odors.
- Blade Support: Keep those blades looking new despite your pet’s constant wear-and-tear.
- Comfort: The right infill provides a soft, comfortable surface for your pet’s paws.
- Odor Control: Some infills have antimicrobial properties to fight bacteria and odors.
- Longevity: Quality infill helps your turf last longer by protecting the backing from UV rays and wear.
The proper infill helps your pet turf avoid turning into a smelly, matted mess. Learn from my bad experiences, everyone. You don’t want folks avoiding your place because it smells like a litter box.
Types of Pet Turf Infill
So, now we’ve learned the ‘why’. It’s time for the main course. What are the main infill types, and how do you know what you’re looking for?
Silica Sand
Silica sand is a popular choice because it’s affordable and widely available. It’s made from tiny quartz particles and helps with drainage and blade support. However, it can be dusty, abrasive, and may compact over time, affecting drainage. It’s also not the best at fighting bacteria and odors.
Envirofill / Durafill
Envirofill (also known as Durafill) is a premium option made from acrylic-coated round sand particles. It’s antimicrobial, making it better for everyone’s health. It’s also dust-free and resists compaction, making it a top choice for pet turf. Each tiny pellet is a round shape, making it super-gentle on paws. And the coating helps fight odors. All these great pet perks create superior performance and longevity, so expect a higher up-front price tag. (Totally worth it, IMO.)
Zeolite
Zeolite infill is another good pet odor-fighting option. It’s made from natural minerals that absorb ammonia and other smelly compounds. However, it lacks some of the great lawn-enhancing properties you can find in Envirofill. It can be used alone or mixed with other infills for added odor control. Just keep in mind it may leave a residue when wet and works best when paired with a more supportive infill underneath.
Crumb Rubber
I’m a pet-owner, and I think you should be aware if you’re considering crumb rubber infill for pet turf. It’s definitely less expensive and springy. But some crumb rubber infills can get very hot in direct sunlight, which is uncomfortable for pets. Also, these can hold onto odors. But most importantly, if you’re considering crumb rubber infill, make sure your supplier’s product doesn’t contain traces of heavy metals and other chemicals found in tires. My goodest boy Teddy doesn’t need that in his life, and neither does your pet. Artificial Turf Supply takes this seriously, so please talk to our team about our crumb rubber.
Factors to Consider
So, now you know some of your best options. Here’s how to weigh them against each other so you can choose the best infill for pet turf in your backyard:
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- Budget: Higher-quality infills cost more upfront but can save you money in the long run by lasting longer and requiring less maintenance.
- Odor Control: If your pet will be using the turf as a bathroom, prioritize infills with antimicrobial properties and odor-absorbing materials like zeolite.
- Comfort: Look for infills with a soft, rounded shape that will be gentle on your pet’s paws. Avoid abrasive or excessively dusty materials.
- Maintenance: Some infills require more upkeep than others to maintain drainage and freshness. Consider how much time you’re willing to spend on turf grooming and cleaning.
- Safety: Choose non-toxic, chemical-free infills without any hazardous materials that could harm your pet if ingested. When in doubt, opt for natural or veterinarian-approved products.
My Top Pick: Envirofill
If you want the best balance of performance, safety, and odor control, I highly recommend Envirofill coated sand. It checks all the boxes for pet turf:
✓ Antimicrobial protection to fight odors and bacteria
✓ Rounded shape for comfort and drainage
✓ Dust-free and non-toxic for pet safety
✓ Resists compaction for better longevity
✓ Comes in a natural green color for a realistic look
Yes, it costs more than basic silica sand. But I’ve found the benefits are well worth the investment. My dog loves rolling around on our Envirofill-filled turf, and I love not having to constantly hose it down to keep odors at bay! It makes it way more likely that he and I spend time out there together … which is the goal, at the end of the day.
Mix It Up!
One strategy I’ve found helpful is to use a combination of infills to get the best of all worlds. I’d talk to an artificial turf professional about whether this is the right approach for your outdoor pet space, but here’s an example. You could layer Envirofill on top for superior surface-level performance and add a bottom layer of Zeofill for extra odor protection. This setup helps stretch your budget while still providing excellent quality and safety for your pet.
Work With a Pro
At the end of the day, the best infill for your pet turf depends on your unique needs, preferences, and budget. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options, I recommend consulting with a professional turf installer (866) 677-9405). They’ll look at your unique space, learn your priorities, and recommend a customized infill setup.
A knowledgeable pro can also help with other pet turf considerations beyond just infill, such as turf density, pile height, and drainage systems to create an optimal environment for your pet.
Turf’s Up!
So, now you’ve been filled in on the best infill for pet turf (sorry, I couldn’t resist). Now you and your pets can confidently go find the perfect infill for your perfectly safe, clean, and comfy outdoor space. This is definitely one of those “you get back what you put into it” moments. Meaning investing in quality infill will be healthier for your pet while helping give you that better-looking, longer-lasting, odor-free lawn you want.
If you still have questions, give the Artificial Turf Supply team a call (866) 677-9405). Or get a free turf quote, so you can start planning the backyard of Fido’s dreams!
