Surface Materials

What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of using gravel vs. synthetic K9Grass™ as the surface material in the trays?

Doggy Solutions™ has made the following observations when comparing the use of gravel and synthetic K9Grass™:

• Both surface materials have good drainage properties. Most of the urine drains through either material to the litter layer which absorbs both the liquid and the odor from the urine.

• Since both the synthetic K9Grass™ and the gravel have significant surface area, some urine will dry on the grass blades or on the stones, necessitating routine cleaning. Fortunately, the K9Grass™ can be easily cleaned and disinfected by soaking it in a tub of dilute sanitizing or bleach solution. The gravel can be periodically rinsed or hosed down right in the tray with a dilute sanitizing or bleach solution.

• The K9Grass™ is more similar to real grass so it may be easier to train some adult dogs to use the potty when grass is used.

• Some dog and puppy owners prefer the look of the artificial dog potty grass.

• The trays containing the synthetic K9Grass™ pieces are lighter in weight than those filled with gravel and may, therefore, be easier to handle. Our small, medium, large and extra large size dog potty systems are now made with double-sized trays when the K9Grass™ is used as the surface material. This design provides a more continuous surface for your dog or puppy.

• There is an anti-microbial agent incorporated into the K9Grass™ blades to help deter the growth of microorganisms and the associated odor.

• It may be somewhat easier to remove solid waste from the gravel. If necessary, a disinfectant wipe can be used to wipe the synthetic dog potty grass.

• The initial expense of the gravel is less than the K9Grass™.

• Some dogs, particularly males, like to scratch or dig after they eliminate. If this is the case, then the K9Grass™ is a better choice, since the pebbles can get kicked out of the potty.

• Finally, some puppies like to play with the pebbles and there is a concern that a stone could be swallowed.

How does the Pet Patio Potty™ compare to litter boxes using real sod rather than synthetic K9Grass™ or gravel?

The design of the Pet Patio Potty™ allows the use of different surface materials in the removable trays. While Doggy Solutions™ ordinarily recommends using synthetic K9Grass™ or gravel, other materials such as real sod have been successfully used, particularly during the training process.

Real sod has the obvious advantage of being the surface many adult dogs associate with “going potty”. However, there are many reasons why Doggy Solutions™ does not favor using real sod as a permanent surface material in the Pet Patio Potty™.

• Real sod requires frequent replacement to maintain acceptable sanitary conditions for your dog. The sod should be replaced weekly and this frequent replacement can be both inconvenient and expensive. If weekly replacement is not practiced, problems with insects, bacteria and odor have been reported.

• Disposing of used sod can be unpleasant and difficult.

• There are many geographic regions where sod is not available year round.

• It is more difficult to completely remove solid waste from real sod than from gravel or synthetic K9Grass™. Cleaning the K9Grass™ or gravel is always an option. However, with real sod, replacement is the only way to assure the potty is fresh and clean for your puppy or dog.

• Real grass is like a sponge so most of the urine and the associated bacteria are absorbed by the grass layer. Because the urine is trapped in the sod layer, rapid odor development is more likely. This is particularly a problem if the potty is set up indoors.

• The potty systems having drainage trays can be difficult to empty if too much fluid is allowed to collect in the tray. The layered design of the Pet Patio Potty™ allows for easy removal of soiled litter.

Where can I purchase gravel suitable for use in the trays of the Pet Patio Potty™?

The gravel we most frequently recommend is pea gravel or pea pebbles. This type of stone may also be called 3/8” river rock. Gravel is inexpensive and can be acquired at most home supply stores such as Home Depot or at landscape supply companies. For larger dogs, the pea size gravel may get caught in their pads so a larger size stone should be considered, for example, 3/4” river rock. Any type of decorative stone with sharp edges should be avoided. Also, pebbles smaller than 3/8” diameter should not be used because they may fall through the 1/4” perforations in the polyethylene tray bottoms. Please note that gravel is not included with orders.