Why pet turf needs a different base

Dogs change the engineering. You need fast drainage for urine, odor control, solid footing for play, and a surface that cleans up fast. That means an open-graded stone base that moves water and waste down and away, not a sand or dirt blend that traps it.

  • Drainage first: urine and rinse water must pass through instantly.
  • Odor control: minimize fines that hold ammonia and bacteria.
  • Stability: angular stone interlocks and stays put under traffic.
  • Hygiene: easy rinsing and enzyme cleaning keep the area fresh.

The best base build for dogs

1. Subgrade prep

  • Excavate 5 to 7 inches below finished grade to allow for base and turf.
  • Shape the soil with 1 to 2 percent slope away from structures.
  • Remove organics and soft spots. In heavy clay or wet zones, consider a shallow French drain or daylight outlet.

2. Geotextile separation

  • Lay a nonwoven geotextile over the soil to separate the base from subgrade and block fines from pumping up. Target 4 to 8 oz weight.
  • Overlap seams 12 inches and pin or staple in place.

3. Open-graded crushed stone base

  • Place 4 to 5 inches of clean, angular crushed stone. Common choices are 3/8 to 3/4 inch granite or limestone, often sold as #57 or 3/4 inch clean.
  • Avoid materials with fines like decomposed granite for pet areas. Fines slow drainage and can trap odor.
  • Install in 2 lifts and compact with a plate compactor to lock the rock. A light water mist helps seat the stone. Recheck slope.

4. Optional choke layer and stabilization

  • If you want a tighter grading surface, add a thin 0.5 to 0.75 inch layer of small clean chip stone to fill surface voids, then compact.
  • On very poor soils, a geocell or grid under the base increases stiffness without adding thickness.

5. Turf and infill for pets

  • Use a permeable backing that evacuates water fast. Pair with antimicrobial-coated sand or zeolite-based infill for odor control.
  • Target 1.0 to 1.25 inch pile for easy cleanup and quick drying. Power-broom to stand fibers before and after infill.

Materials checklist and specs

  • Geotextile: nonwoven, 4 to 8 oz, UV stable.
  • Base stone: clean, angular 3/8 to 3/4 inch crushed rock, not pea gravel, not round.
  • Perimeter restraint: bender board, paver edge, or treated timber to anchor turf.
  • Adhesives and seam tape: exterior grade urethane adhesive with compatible seam tape.
  • Infill: antimicrobial-coated sand, zeolite, or a blend to balance weight, cooling, and odor capture.

How to build it, step by step

  1. Excavate and dispose. Verify utilities before digging.
  2. Grade and compact the subgrade. Establish 1 to 2 percent fall.
  3. Install geotextile with overlaps and pins.
  4. Place clean angular stone in two lifts, compacting each pass until interlocked.
  5. Fine grade. Add a light choke layer if needed, then compact again.
  6. Lay turf, align grain, trim, and seam. Secure edges to restraints.
  7. Power-broom, add infill in lifts, broom again, and water lightly to settle.

Coverage math you can use

  • Volume per square foot: 4 inches of base is about 0.33 cubic feet. 5 inches is about 0.42 cubic feet.
  • Example: a 200 square foot dog run at 5 inches needs about 84 cubic feet, roughly 3.1 cubic yards of stone.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using sand or decomposed granite as the main base. Fines trap odor and slow drainage.
  • Using pea gravel. Rounded rock shifts and does not interlock.
  • Skipping geotextile. Soil fines will contaminate the base.
  • Zero slope. Flat means puddles and smell.
  • Under-infill or the wrong infill. Use odor-fighting media that keeps blades upright and surface cool.

Climate and site notes

  • Heavy clay: add a subdrain or daylight outlet and do not reduce base thickness.
  • Freeze and thaw: favor 5 inches or more of clean stone to relieve heave and speed meltwater drainage.
  • Heavy rain zones: consider a perimeter trench drain and a fully permeable turf backing.

Maintenance that keeps it fresh

  • Rinse high-use zones a few times per week. Use pet-safe enzyme cleaners as needed.
  • Keep infill topped up and redistribute with a power broom to maintain drainage and fiber lift.
  • Remove solids promptly. Quick cleanup protects the base.

When a hardscape is below

Over concrete or pavers, add drain tiles for airflow and rapid evacuation, then install turf with odor-control infill. Use a perimeter restraint and seam correctly. No loose base is needed over solid slabs.

Bottom line

Clean, angular stone over geotextile is the reliable pet-first base. Build it right once, and your artificial turf stays stable, fast draining, and fresh for the long haul.