how to mulch or cover an area

Question

How to mulch or cover an area that is currently grass/mud so that my dogs can use it to potty safely? I have a small front yard area (it used to be grass) that has deteriorated since we have four rescue dogs who use it in the morning to potty. I would like to mulch it or use some kind of ground cover that is safe for them, but am not sure what material to use. I am considering pine mulch. The area is about 8 ft x 24 ft. Can you offer any alternatives, or is the pine mulch safe? They are all adult dogs.

Answer 1

Below is an article on pet safe mulch that will be helpful to you. It may even cause you to reconsider mulching your dog area given that dogs can choke on mulch or have an allergic reaction to it. Mulch may also not be very gentle on your dog’s paws. If you do decide to pursue the mulching route, here is a cool mulch calculator that you can use to figure out just how much you need: http://www.landscapecalculator.com/calculators/mulch

I have read that perennial ryegrass is ideal for dogs to run on because it grows low, fills in fast, and recovers quickly.

Here is the article on pet safe mulch:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/mulch/keeping-mulch-safe-for-pets.htm