Why does my artificial grass smell of dog urine?

Why Does My Artificial Grass Smell of Dog Urine?



If your artificial grass smells of dog urine, you’re not alone — it’s one of the most common complaints we hear from pet owners. 

Before we take, deep dive in, I'd like to mention that from my experience, I have noticed that some dog breeds are more likely than others to cause lingering urine odours. In particular it's Springer Spaniels and dogs that cast a lot. Maybe it's a working dog thing?

The good news is, it’s completely avoidable when the grass system is installed properly and maintained the right way.

At Cutting Edge Artificial Grass, we specialise in installations that don’t trap odours and are built to drain properly. Here’s what’s really causing that unpleasant smell — and what to do about it.

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No.1 — You’re Extremely Lucky to Have Dogs Using It!

Dogs using your lawn is perfectly normal — but urine on the wrong type of artificial grass system can lead to lingering smells that just won’t go away.

Many people have unfortunately been misled by marketing terms like “child and pet friendly” artificial grass.

Let’s be clear — that phrase only means it’s safe for children and pets to play on. It does not mean it’s urine odour resistant.

If you’ve been sold “pet friendly” grass without proper drainage layers or odour-control infill, that’s usually the root of the problem.

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1. The Wrong Grass Type

Urine-resistant grass should have:

A PU (polyurethane) backing — not latex backed (around 97%.of grass on the market is latex backed) 

High drainage holes and a fast-flowing base system underneath.

Ideally if finances allow, install a  sub-layer of Zeolite directly under the grass, which naturally neutralises urine odours. Even better, again if you can afford it, you can brush in a top dressing of Envirofill or similar into the base of the grass blades. It's an expensive and tricky process, but we'll worth it in terms of anti odour performance.

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2. Weed Membrane in the Wrong Place

If your installer laid weed membrane directly under the grass, that’s a disaster waiting to happen.

It traps urine just beneath the surface, holding the smell there like a sponge.

The correct setup is:

A non-woven geotextile membrane laid on the earth, below the sub-base, not directly under the grass.

This allows water and urine to drain quickly away while still preventing weeds.

It also helps prevent the sub-base from sinking into the soil over time.

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3. The Wrong Sub-Base

Your sub-base is critical. It must be:

Clean, dry and low-fines (low dust content).

Free-draining — to let urine pass straight through.

Avoid these materials if you have dogs:

Sharp sand or kiln-dried sand — holds onto uric acid crystals and traps odours.

Type 1 MOT or grano dust — can also create drainage problems if too dusty or compacted.

Instead, opt for a properly layered system using clean, angular drainage stone and granite chips — it allows very fast drainage and reduces the chance of smells developing.

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4. Cleaning and Maintenance

Even the best-installed grass needs care.

Think of your artificial lawn like your own toilet — it needs to be flushed and cleaned regularly!

Here’s what to do:

Rinse the grass weekly with a hose to wash away urine.

Use a proven enzyme or bacterial cleaner designed for artificial grass. These products break down the uric acid crystals that cause odour.

Be careful — these cleaners contain live bacteria, so never use disinfectants at the same time, or you’ll kill the good bacteria.

Store your cleaner away from extreme heat or cold, as both can destroy the live enzymes.

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In Summary

Smelly artificial grass isn’t just about the dogs — it’s about poor installation and the wrong materials.

To prevent dog urine smells:

✅ Choose PU-backed grass and brush up the pile regularly, it helps remove debris and dog hairs while aiding drainage 

✅ Use non-woven geotextile under the sub-base

✅ Avoid sand and dusty materials

✅ Clean regularly with enzyme cleaner and consider anti odours dressings such such Zeolite, Deofill, Envirofill etc. Don't forget to brush up the frass pile regularly.

With the right knowledge (and a proper installation), your lawn can stay fresh, clean, and odour-free — no matter how many dogs use it.

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Need Help Fixing a Smelly Lawn?

If you’re dealing with a stinky artificial lawn, we can help.

At Cutting Edge Artificial Grass, we specialise in fast-draining, pet-friendly systems that stop odours at the source — not just cover them up.

📍 Serving Paisley, Glasgow, and Ayrshire areas

📞 Call us today or visit our 24/7 outdoor display on Main Street, Drybridge, Irvine to see and smell the difference for yourself.

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