What to Put Under Artificial Grass for Dogs: The Complete Guide to a Clean, Odor-Free Pet Lawn

Indy Artificial Turf
Mar 30
4 min read

If you’re installing artificial grass for dogs, or upgrading an older system, the most important part isn’t the turf you see on top. It’s what’s underneath. The right base materials, drainage layers, and infill determine how well your lawn handles pet waste, smells, durability, and long-term cleanliness.

At Indy Artificial Turf & Landscaping, we install dog-friendly turf systems every week, and the difference between a great pet lawn and a problem lawn always comes down to proper groundwork. Below is everything you need to know about what to put under artificial grass for dogs and why each layer matters.

1. Start With the Right Sub-Base: Crushed Granite or Class 5 Road Base

The first (and most important) layer under artificial turf is the sub-base, the foundation that provides stability and allows drainage. For dogs, this layer must drain quickly and resist compaction.

The Best Option: Crushed Granite (⅜” minus)

Crushed granite is our top pick for pet turf because it:

Drains extremely well
Compacts tightly (so dogs can’t create dips)
Resists bacteria growth
Prevents urine from pooling

It creates a stable but permeable foundation, perfect for households with one or multiple dogs.

Other Suitable Options:

Class 5 Road Base – A blend of crushed stone that’s durable and affordable.
Decomposed Granite – Great drainage but must be compacted properly.

Avoid Using:

Pea gravel
Sand alone
Native soil

These materials trap odors, shift, or absorb urine, leading to bad smells and uneven surfaces.

2. Add a Weed Barrier (Optional but Helpful)

A weed barrier fabric can be installed above or below the sub-base. While turf generally keeps weeds out, a fabric layer prevents stubborn weeds from poking through seams or edges.

For dog lawns, choose a permeable, non-organic barrier so water and urine can drain freely. Avoid plastic-like weed mats that block drainage.

3. Ensure Proper Drainage Grading

Before adding turf, the ground must be graded with a slight slope, typically 1–2%, to direct water and urine away from foundations, patios, or areas where dogs are present.

A dog turf system drains in two ways:

Vertically through perforated turf backing and into the sub-base
Horizontally along the slope of the yard

Good grading ensures odors don’t build up and urine doesn’t pool below the surface.

4. Install a Pet-Friendly Drainage Layer (Optional but Powerful)

For high-volume dog areas, such as kennels, rescues, dog daycares, or multi-pet homes, we often add a secondary drainage grid layer.

These interlocking tiles sit between the sub-base and turf and allow urine to:

Move quickly away from the surface
Dry faster
Reduce odor formation
Prevent bacteria buildup

They’re especially useful if your yard has clay soil or poor natural drainage.

5. Choose the Right Turf Backing

Not all artificial grass is dog-friendly. The backing makes a huge difference in odor control and cleanup.

Look for Turf With:

Perforated drainage holes throughout
A urethane backing instead of latex (urethane resists bacteria better)
Shorter pile height (dogs have an easier time walking and running)

Turf designed specifically for dogs drains more efficiently and holds up better to digging, zoomies, and potty break routines.

6. Use Dog-Safe, Odor-Controlling Infill

The infill is the material spread between the turf fibers to keep them upright—but in dog applications, it also plays a major role in odor control.

Best Infill for Dogs: Zeolite

Zeolite is a natural volcanic mineral with powerful odor-absorbing properties. It:

Traps ammonia from urine
Neutralizes smells instead of masking them
Stays effective for years
Is completely pet-safe

For dog yards, we typically use a 50/50 blend of silica sand and zeolite, with more zeolite in heavy-use areas.

Other Infill Options:

Silica sand: Provides stability and cooling, but no odor control
Antimicrobial-coated infill: Adds extra protection against bacteria

Avoid Using:

Crumb rubber (gets too hot, can smell, and sticks to fur)

7. Optional Shock Pad for Softness and Comfort

A shock pad or foam underlayment can be installed beneath the turf to provide extra cushioning and impact absorption.

This is especially useful if:

You have puppies
Your dogs are older and need softer landings
You want additional comfort underfoot

Ensure the pad is drainage-rated to prevent moisture from being trapped.

8. Edging to Secure the Turf

Dogs love to explore borders, and sometimes dig at them. To prevent dogs from getting under the turf, we install secure edging materials such as:

Bender board
Concrete curbing
Steel edging
Timber edging (sealed)

A good edge keeps the turf locked in place and prevents damage from digging paws.

9. Putting It All Together: The Complete Dog Turf System

For the best results, a dog-friendly turf installation includes:

Excavation of existing grass and soil
3–4 inches of compacted crushed granite base
Weed barrier (optional)
Optional drainage grid for heavy dog areas
Playground-quality turf with perforated backing
High-absorption infill like zeolite
Secure perimeter edging
Proper slope and drainage planning

When these components are installed correctly, you get a lawn that stays:

Clean
Dry
Odor-free
Comfortable
Durable
Beautiful year-round

And best of all, your dogs get a yard they can enjoy without mud, digging holes, or wearing out the grass.

10. Common Mistakes to Avoid

If you’re DIYing or hiring a company unfamiliar with pet turf, watch out for these mistakes:

Using sand alone for the base (bad drainage + odor issues)
Installing turf without perforations
Skipping odor-control infill
Not sloping the ground properly
Letting turf sit directly on soil
Not compacting the base enough
Using rubber infill

These shortcuts lead to smells, bacterial growth, and costly repairs.

Build the Perfect Dog-Friendly Turf System With Indy

Artificial turf is one of the best ways to give your dogs a clean, safe, low-maintenance yard—but only when it’s installed with the correct foundation, drainage, and materials beneath the surface.

At Indy Artificial Turf & Landscaping, we specialize in high-quality, affordable dog-friendly turf systems built for real life. Whether you have one small pup or a pack of big dogs, we design each installation to handle waste, eliminate odors, and stay beautiful year-round.