I'm looking to redo my small backyard for my dogs. We're thinking of replacing the grass with pea gravel. Our landscaper will remove the grass, level the area, put down landscaping fabric and edging, and then fill it with gravel. We don't expect much foot traffic since this area will mainly serve as a potty spot for the dogs, keeping them out of trouble when it comes to chewing on grass, sticks, and other items. I also want to place pavers in high-traffic spots for easier walking. Are there any other options I should consider, or is pea gravel the best choice?
3 Answers
Honestly, I wouldn't recommend pea gravel at all. It’s notorious for attracting weeds, and it quickly becomes a mess with dog waste, urine, and debris. If you want to avoid the hassle, consider using bark mulch instead. It breaks down over time, and you can easily replenish it as needed.
Rock isn’t great for ground cover, trust me! You might want to look into getting a load of chipped wood instead. It's more dog-friendly and softer on their paws. Plus, landscaping fabric won’t stop the weeds; it just makes them harder to pull later. If it gets too hot, the rocks can be uncomfortable for dogs to walk on.
I have a spacious pea gravel patio, and let me tell you, it's not ideal for dogs. They tend to avoid it and just use it as a path to grass or mulch. The pebbles can hurt their paws and get stuck, plus it looks messy all the time. I’d lean toward something softer like mulch or even sand, especially since you mentioned the area is shady. My dogs prefer playing in sand over gravel any day!