Is Pea Gravel Good For Dogs? Benefits, Uses, & Tips For Using It

Is pea gravel good for dogs? Should you consider installing pea gravel in your yard if you have a dog? And what are the benefits of pea gravel for dogs? In this guide, we’re going to answer all of those questions and more. Let’s get into it!

Table of Contents

• Is Pea Gravel Good For Dogs?
• Benefits Of Pea Gravel For Dogs
  • Safer Option
  • Odor & Stain Control
  • Protects Your Garden & Your Pup From Dirt
  • Helps Prevent Digging
• How Do You Install Pea Gravel?
• How To Secure Pea Gravel?
• How To Maintain Pea Gravel?
• Is Pea Gravel Good For Dogs? Frequently Asked Questions
• Is Pea Gravel Good For Dogs? Final Thoughts

Is Pea Gravel Good For Dogs?

If you’ve got a dog and a beautiful backyard space, you know how difficult it can be to choose the right materials and plants when landscaping. Luckily, there are ways you can make your yard the most beautiful in the block, and also dog-friendly for your four-legged companion. 

But what Is pea gravel, anyway? Pea gravel refers to small, rounded stones that are often used in landscaping projects. It is made up of smaller rocks, or pebbles, that are about the size of a pea. Hence the name pea gravel. This type of gravel is very versatile and can be used for many different purposes. Pea gravel is much rounder and has fewer sharp edges than other types of gravel. 

One common use for pea gravel is as a mulch around plants. This is because it helps to keep the soil moist and prevents weeds from growing. Pea gravel is also often used to create pathways or walkways through gardens. It is a popular choice for this purpose because it is very easy to walk on and does not get muddy like some other materials.

So, now that we know a little bit about pea gravel, let’s answer the question: is pea gravel good for dogs? The short answer is yes! Pea gravel is an excellent choice for many dog-related purposes. Let’s take a closer look at the main benefits of pea gravel for dogs, and why you should consider getting it. 

Benefits Of Pea Gravel For Dogs

Safer Option

One reason that pea gravel is good for dogs is that it is gentle on their paws. This is especially important if your dog likes to walk or run on concrete or asphalt, which can be hard on their paw pads and joints. If your dog is prone to paw injuries, joint problems, or you live in an area with a lot of hot pavement, pea gravel can provide a softer surface for them to walk on. This in turn can help prevent injuries.

Another thing to remember is that pea gravel is overall much gentler and doesn’t have sharp edges like many other types of gravel. This will also help prevent any cuts, injuries, and prevent injections from open wounds. 

Odor & Stain Control

Another reason that pea gravel is good for dogs is that it is easy to clean up. If your dog has an accident while outside, the pea gravel lets the urine drain through the pebbles and onto the ground below, providing a buffer from bad odors. 

Pea gravel is also much easier to shovel than other types of material, so you won’t have to spend as much time cleaning up after your dog. If your pup poops on pea gravel, you can easily scoop it up and bin it.

For this reason, pea gravel also makes one of the best materials to use in your dog’s potty area, as you can easily replace it to prevent unpleasant odors. By the way, if you use pea gravel, you won’t have to worry about your lawn turning brown from all the acidity caused by excess nitrogen in dog poop. 

Protects Your Garden & Your Pup From Dirt

Another benefit of pea gravel is that it doesn’t get muddy like some other materials do, such as natural grass. Pea gravel is quite heavy duty, provided that you’ve installed and secured it correctly. As dogs can get pretty aggressive when running around and playing, pea gravel is an excellent choice to protect your garden from getting completely destroyed. 

Another benefit of that is that your dog will be less likely to track mud into your home. Their coat will also stay much cleaner after having fun in the backyard. If your dog likes to roll around in the dirt or play in the mud, pea gravel can help to protect their fur from getting too dirty. This also means you won’t have to bathe your dog too often. Pea gravel is also a good choice for dogs who like to dig, as it can help to keep their nails clean.

Helps Prevent Digging

If your dog is an avid digger, you may want to consider installing pea gravel in your backyard. Not only can this habit lead to an unkempt garden, it can also cause serious injuries for your dog’s paws, as dirt can hide sharp edges, debris, sticks, or thorns. 

As dogs are creatures of habit, your pup likely has a favorite digging spot or few. To prevent your pup from causing further damage, you can strategically install pea gravel in spots where your dog likes to excessively dig. And since pea gravel is much gentler on your dog’s paws, your pup is much less likely to get injured as well. 

How Do You Install Pea Gravel?

Pea gravel is extremely easy to install. Simply plan where you want to install it, and consider how much pea gravel you’ll be needing. 

When installing pea gravel, you’ll first want to prepare the ground by working the soil about 6 inches deep. You’ll want to remove any weeds and plants. Then you can place a 2-inch layer of base rocks, or crushed rocks, to stabilize the ground and prepare it for pea gravel. 

You can also add a landscape cloth between the base layer and pea gravel to prevent weeds from getting through. A landscape cloth can also further help prevent digging and prevent your pup from getting hurt by the base layer. However, it can become damaged over time, or become visible through the rock and pea gravel layers. 

Once you’re done with the base layer, you’re ready to install the pea gravel. Common practice is to install a 3-4 inch layer of pea gravel. Make sure you press it tightly to prevent shifting and moving. 

How To Secure Pea Gravel?

Since pea gravel is quite a loose material, you should also secure it to keep it in place and minimize shifting. For instance, you can create a pea gravel pathway by securing the edges with stones, bricks, or wood boards. 

How To Maintain Pea Gravel?

Luckily, pea gravel is very easy to maintain. If you use pea gravel in your dog’s potty area or if they’ve had an accident on pea gravel, you can simply shovel out the poop and it’s as good as new. 

In terms of regular maintenance, you can use a rake to tidy the pea gravel. However, consider that pea gravel does sink into the ground after a while, so you’ll likely have to add more pea gravel every few years or so. 

Is Pea Gravel Good For Dogs? Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pea Gravel Good For Dogs? Final Thoughts

So, is pea gravel good for dogs? Indeed, we have to say that pea gravel is one of the best options to use in your backyard. As you can see, there are many reasons why pea gravel is good for dogs. Pea gravel is a versatile material that can be used for many different purposes. It is safe for your dog’s paws, easy to clean up, and can help to keep them clean. If you’re looking for a material to use in your landscaping projects and in your dog’s outdoor space, pea gravel is definitely worth considering!