Built for Austin's dog-loving households. Antimicrobial infill, instant drainage, and durable fibers that stand up to heavy use—no mud, no odor, no dead spots.
Austin ranks among the top five most dog-friendly cities in America, and it shows: more than 40% of Austin households include at least one dog. But Austin’s climate creates a perfect storm of problems for dog owners with natural grass. Summer heat scorches lawns into brown patches. Dog urine creates yellow dead spots. Clay soil turns to mud after every rain, and that mud gets tracked through the house for days. Fire ants build mounds that are dangerous for pets. And maintaining a lawn that can withstand heavy dog traffic requires constant reseeding, watering, and fertilizing.
Not all artificial turf is suitable for pets. Standard residential turf uses hole-punched backing that drains at 30–60 inches per hour—adequate for rainwater but insufficient for concentrated urine from a dog that uses the same spot repeatedly. Standard infill does nothing to address bacterial growth or ammonia odors. Within a few months, standard turf in a heavily used pet area starts to smell, and the odor gets worse through Austin’s hot summers.
Our pet turf systems are engineered differently from the ground up. We use flow-through backing that drains 900+ inches per hour—15 times faster than standard turf. The antimicrobial OptiFILL+ infill actively neutralizes bacteria and ammonia at the source, not just between cleanings. And the fiber system is denser and more resilient than residential turf, designed to withstand the digging, running, and roughhousing that dogs put it through daily. The result is a clean, odor-free, maintenance-simple surface that both you and your dogs will love.
Every component is selected specifically for homes with dogs—from the backing to the infill to the fiber.
Zeolite-based infill that actively neutralizes bacteria and ammonia odors at the molecular level. Non-toxic and safe for all breeds. Works continuously between cleanings to keep the surface fresh and hygienic.
Our pet turf uses fully permeable flow-through backing—not the hole-punched variety used in standard residential turf. Urine passes through the entire surface instantly, draining at 900+ inches per hour versus 30–60 for standard backing.
The combination of antimicrobial infill and instant drainage prevents the bacterial buildup that causes turf odor. Even in Austin’s 100°F+ heat, pet turf stays fresh with basic rinsing. No lingering ammonia smell, even in enclosed spaces.
Solid waste picks up cleanly from the turf surface—no clinging, no residue. Liquid waste drains through instantly. A weekly rinse with a garden hose and monthly enzyme treatment is all the maintenance required.
Say goodbye to muddy paw prints on your floors, furniture, and car seats. Pet turf eliminates mud entirely and dries within minutes after rain. Your dog goes outside on turf and comes back inside clean.
Pet turf uses thicker, more resilient fiber systems than standard residential products. Higher face weight (80+ oz/sq yd) and denser stitch rates stand up to digging, running, and heavy daily traffic without matting or wear patterns.
The critical differences between pet turf and standard residential turf come down to three systems: backing, infill, and fiber durability.
Backing: Standard residential turf uses a solid polyurethane backing with small drainage holes punched at regular intervals. This works fine for rainwater but creates bottlenecks when concentrated liquid (dog urine) hits the surface. Pet turf uses a fully permeable woven backing that allows liquid to pass through every square inch of the surface, not just at hole locations. The difference in drainage rate is dramatic: 900+ inches per hour versus 30–60 inches per hour.
Infill: Standard residential turf uses silica sand or a sand/cooling blend. These infills do nothing to address bacterial growth or odor. Pet turf uses antimicrobial zeolite infill (OptiFILL+) that absorbs ammonia and inhibits bacterial growth. This is the single biggest factor in preventing turf odor in pet areas. The cost difference per square foot is modest, but the performance difference is enormous.
Fiber: Pet turf uses a denser, heavier fiber system (80+ oz face weight versus 60–70 oz for standard residential). The higher stitch rate and thicker fibers resist matting from heavy traffic and stand up better to digging. Pet turf fibers also have a shorter pile height (1.25–1.5 inches versus 1.75 inches for residential) for easier cleanup and better drainage performance.
We size dog runs based on breed, number of dogs, and how the space will be used. Small dogs (under 30 lbs) need a minimum of 50–75 sqft; medium dogs (30–60 lbs) need 100–150 sqft; large breeds (60+ lbs) do best with 200+ sqft. For multi-dog households, we add 50% more space per additional dog. Side yards are the most common location for dedicated runs, typically 8–12 feet wide by 15–25 feet long.
Dog runs require more aggressive drainage engineering than standard turf areas because of concentrated use. We install a deeper crushed stone base (4–6 inches versus 3–4 for standard), slope the sub-base at a minimum 1% grade toward the drain point, and add perimeter French drains where needed. For runs on clay soil or in low-lying areas, we may add a sub-surface drain line connected to your property’s existing drainage system.
Dog runs need clean, secure edges that dogs cannot pry up. We offer several border options: flush-mount composite benderboard for a minimal look, stacked limestone or flagstone borders for a more finished appearance, and aluminum edging for the most durable perimeter. All borders are secured below grade to prevent dogs from getting underneath the turf edges.
We can integrate cleanup features directly into your dog run design: a hose bib with quick-connect for rinsing, a mounted waste bag dispenser, and a designated cleanup area with easy access. These small additions make daily maintenance as simple as possible and help ensure the run stays clean and fresh long-term.
Our pet-specific turf product, K9Pro, is engineered exclusively for homes with dogs.
| Fiber Material | UV-stabilized polyethylene (heavy-duty) |
|---|---|
| Pile Height | 1.25 inches |
| Face Weight | 82 oz/sq yd |
| Total Weight | 108 oz/sq yd |
| Blade Colors | 3-tone (field green, olive, brown thatch) |
| Backing | Flow-through woven polypropylene |
| Drainage Rate | 900+ inches per hour (full surface) |
| Infill | OptiFILL+ antimicrobial zeolite |
| UV Warranty | 15 years |
| PFAS-Free | Yes — independently tested |
| Antimicrobial | Yes — infill and fiber treatment |
| Fire Rating | Class A (ASTM E108) |
Pet-optimized turf installation costs $12–$16 per square foot, fully installed. This is $2–$4 more per square foot than standard residential turf, and the difference is worth every dollar if you have dogs.
The higher price covers three upgrades that make a significant real-world difference: flow-through backing (versus hole-punched), antimicrobial infill (versus standard silica sand), and a heavier-duty fiber system. These are not cosmetic upgrades—they are functional differences that determine whether your turf smells in summer, drains properly after heavy use, and holds up to daily wear from active dogs.
Typical project costs: A side-yard dog run (100–200 sqft) costs $1,200–$3,200. A backyard pet area (300–600 sqft) runs $3,600–$9,600. Full backyard conversions with pet turf (800–1,200 sqft) typically come in at $9,600–$19,200. All prices include excavation, base preparation, turf, antimicrobial infill, and perimeter securing.
Free estimates with no pressure. We bring samples so you can see and feel the product.
"We have two German Shepherds and they completely destroyed our backyard. Mud everywhere, dead grass, holes dug all over the yard. After the pet turf installation, it is like having a new house. No more wiping paws at the door, no more mopping muddy floors. We go to Zilker Park every weekend and the dogs come home to a clean yard. Zero smell even through last August when it hit 108 degrees. The antimicrobial infill really works."
"We built a dog run down our side yard for our three rescue pups. The crew designed it perfectly—150 sqft with a French drain along the fence line and a hose bib right at the entrance for easy rinsing. The dogs use it constantly and it still looks great after a year. I rinse it once a week and spray enzyme cleaner once a month. That is the entire maintenance routine. If you have dogs in Austin, this is the way to go."
"Our Golden Retriever puppy was tearing up the backyard within weeks of bringing her home. We called Austin Turf & Stone and they recommended the pet turf with the antimicrobial infill. Best decision ever. She plays on it all day, digs at it occasionally (cannot get through it), and we just hose it down. We take her to the Red Bud Isle dog park on weekends and she loves having her own turf yard to come home to. The vet even commented on how clean her paws are now."
Daily maintenance is simple: pick up solid waste and dispose of it just like you would on natural grass. Once a week, rinse the turf with a garden hose to flush away urine residue and dust. Once a month, spray the surface with an enzyme-based turf cleaner (we recommend BioTurf or TurFresh) and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. The antimicrobial infill handles odor control continuously between cleanings. Total weekly maintenance time: about 10 minutes.
Not with proper installation using the right materials. Turf odor is caused by bacteria growing in trapped urine. Our pet turf systems prevent this two ways: flow-through backing drains urine instantly (900+ inches per hour) so it does not pool on the surface, and antimicrobial OptiFILL+ infill neutralizes bacteria and ammonia at the molecular level. Standard turf with hole-punched backing and regular sand infill will develop odor issues with heavy pet use—that is why we use a completely different system for pet applications.
We use OptiFILL+ antimicrobial zeolite infill for all pet installations. It is a naturally occurring mineral that absorbs ammonia and inhibits bacterial growth. It is non-toxic, PFAS-free, and safe if ingested in small amounts (which happens occasionally when dogs mouth the turf fibers). We avoid crumb rubber entirely for pet applications due to potential ingestion concerns and its tendency to retain heat. Silica sand is acceptable as a base infill layer but does not provide odor control, which is why we always top it with the antimicrobial product.
Properly installed pet turf is extremely difficult for dogs to dig up. We secure the perimeter with 6-inch galvanized nails every 3–4 inches (closer spacing than standard residential installations), use heavy-duty seaming tape on all joints, and the weight of the infill (2–3 lbs per square foot) adds additional resistance. The turf backing itself is a tough woven material that resists tearing. In 200+ pet turf installations across Austin, we have had zero dig-up failures. If your dog is an aggressive digger, we can add extra perimeter fastening and reinforced edges.
Yes. Our pet turf products are PFAS-free and use non-toxic, lead-free materials throughout. The OptiFILL+ infill is safe if ingested in small amounts. Unlike natural grass, artificial turf requires no pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or chemical treatments that could harm a puppy. There are no foxtails, burrs, or other plant materials that can cause injury. Many Austin veterinarians recommend artificial turf for puppies specifically because it eliminates exposure to lawn chemicals and parasites that live in soil and natural grass.
A dedicated dog run with pet-specific turf costs $12–$16 per square foot installed. A typical side-yard dog run (100–200 sqft) costs $1,200–$3,200. A medium backyard pet area (300–500 sqft) runs $3,600–$8,000. Costs include pet-specific turf with flow-through backing, antimicrobial infill, an enhanced drainage base, and border materials. Add-ons like cleanup stations, additional drainage, or decorative borders are quoted separately.
Minimum sizes by dog weight: small dogs (under 30 lbs) need 50–75 sqft; medium dogs (30–60 lbs) need 100–150 sqft; large dogs (60+ lbs) need 200+ sqft. For multi-dog households, add 50% more space per additional dog. If the dog run is your pet’s primary outdoor space (not just a bathroom area), we recommend doubling these minimums. Most of our Austin dog runs are side-yard installations, typically 8–12 feet wide by 15–25 feet long (120–300 sqft).
Yes, and this is the most important technical difference in pet turf. Our pet turf uses a flow-through backing system rated at 900+ inches per hour—meaning urine passes through the turf surface instantly and drains into the crushed stone base below. This is fundamentally different from standard turf with hole-punched backing, which drains at only 30–60 inches per hour and can create pooling at the surface. The crushed stone base acts as a secondary drainage layer, allowing liquid to percolate into the soil. For heavy-use areas, we install additional sub-surface drainage to ensure there is never standing liquid beneath the turf.
No more mud. No more dead spots. No more smell. Get a free estimate for pet turf that actually works.