Playing outside is fun and healthy for kids and pets of all ages. It keeps them active and boosts vitamin D levels. Natural grass attracts pests and causes allergies in some children. It also makes a mess, from dirty shoes to grass-stained clothes. Fortunately, you can solve almost all of these problems by swapping out grassy areas with artificial grass. Artificial lawns are not only safe for kids, but, in some instances, they are a healthier alternative to a grass play area.

One of the most commonly asked questions that we receive is concerning synthetic grass and heat. And there’s a good reason for those questions.

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.

A lot of people make the mistake of comparing an artificial sports field to an artificial lawn which uses products specifically developed for landscaping applications. The significant difference between the two is an infill made from black crumb rubber, which is almost exclusively used for artificial sports turf and rarely found in current artificial lawn installations.

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:

• 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. 
• 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. 
• 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.
• 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.

Just as you would with any flooring or ground surface, you always want to ensure that your pet is comfortable. If the temps are abnormally high you will want to check the ground heat before letting them outdoors. If you find that the grass seems very warm, consider any of the above as an option to cool it down a bit.