Clients frequently call to ask which options are the best for backyard areas that have been damaged by their dogs or other pets. While no landscape will be totally immune to constant wear and tear from digging and urine issues, there are some choices that can last longer than others. Things to consider are:

1. St. Augustine Grass

  • Pros:
    • Thrives in Florida’s warm climate and sandy soil.
    • Good wear tolerance and recovers quickly from damage.
    • Dense growth that resists weeds.
  • Cons:
    • Moderate wear tolerance for heavy pet traffic.
    • May require more water compared to other options.
    • Not as soft on pets with sensitive feet and has wider coarser blade.

2. Bermuda Grass

  • Pros:
    • Extremely durable and tolerant to high traffic.
    • Recovers quickly from pet wear and digging.
    • Handles Florida’s heat and drought well.
    • Used for sports fields
  • Cons:
    • Requires regular maintenance (mowing and fertilizing).
    • Can be invasive if not managed properly.
    • Most expensive option
    • Requires more preparation before installing

3. Zoysia Grass

  • Pros:
    • Excellent wear tolerance and recovers well from pet damage.
    • Dense turf reduces mud and dirt being tracked indoors.
    • Thrives in both sunny and slightly shaded areas.
  • Cons:
    • Slower growth compared to Bermuda grass.
    • Can be more expensive to install.

4. Bahia Grass

  • Pros:
    • Very drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
    • Resistant to pests and diseases common in Florida.
    • Withstands pet traffic reasonably well.
    • Cheapest option and can be replaced easily
  • Cons:
    • Less visually lush compared to other options.
    • Can be rough underfoot compared to softer grass types.

Key Considerations for Pet-Friendly Sod

  1. Urine Spots: To minimize damage from pet urine, train pets to use specific areas and water the spots to dilute urine.
  2. Digging: Durable sod options like Bermuda and Zoysia handle digging better.
  3. Shade Tolerance: If you have shaded areas, Empire Zoysia or St. Augustine Seville are better choices.
  4. Maintenance: Consider how much effort you’re willing to put into mowing, watering, and fertilizing.

We have installed sod for dog parks, sports fields and homeowners in Naples, Cape Coral, Sarasota and all throughout southwest Florida, so give Sunshine Sod a call to discuss some options to help turn your area into a great space that you and your pets can enjoy for the entire family.