Kennel Flooring Materials

When planning your kennel the floor may not be the first thing you think about, but it needs a little consideration. Different dogs have different needs, so you will want to pick a suitable floor material for your dog.

There are about 4 materials that are commonly used for flooring in dog kennels, each of them having their pros and cons.


Concrete
This is probably the most commonly used material for dog kennel flooring.

Pros:

  • Versatile, relatively cheap and easy to get hold of. Concrete can be either purchased ready mixed, or you can mix it yourself, with all the necessary equipment readily available at your local builders yard.
  • It is easy to clean. Mess on a concrete floor can be easily swept or hosed out.
  • Concrete is a tough durable material that your dog is unlikely to be able to damage.

Cons

  • It is a cold hard material. If your dog has joint or bone problems then concrete may not be the best flooring material for your dog.
  • Concrete can crack in extremely cold areas prone to wet and extended frosty periods, as any water in the concrete may freeze and expand causing damage.


Wood
This is another commonly used flooring material.

Pros:

  • Easy to get hold of, versatile and hard wearing. If sealed and treated with a wood preserver correctly, is waterproof and easy to clean.
  • Wood is warm and easier on the joints than concrete. It has good insulation properties so is probably better for dogs with joint or bone problems.

Cons:

  • Boisterous dogs may chew and damage the floor.
  • Care must be taken to ensure the wood has been treated with a wood preserver that is safe to be used around dogs, as some wood preservers could poison your dog if ingested.


Plastic
This isn’t as popular as the previous materials mentioned.

Pros:

  • Plastic sheeting or decking is a durable material that is both waterproof and easy to clean. It also tends to resist stains, odours, mould and bacteria.
  • Mess on the floor can be either brushed or hosed out.

Cons:

  • Can be harder to source than wood or concrete, and it can also cost more.
  • You have to check that the plastic is safe for use with dogs. If your dog manages to chew it you need to know it’s not likely to choke or poison them.


Dirt
This is probably the least desirable flooring material.

Pros:

  • Readily available and doesn’t cost anything.

Cons:

  • Many dogs will dig their way out of the kennel.
  • Not very easy to clean. Dog mess and urine may soak into the dirt turning it into mud.
  • Harbours bacteria and odours, leading to an unhealthy environment for your dogs.


What sort of flooring you choose for your dog kennel really comes down to the type of dogs you have. I personally prefer wood, due to it’s insulating properties, and the fact that it has a little give in it, making it easier on the joints than concrete.

You can also use a mix of materials. A concrete base covered in plastic for example would create a solid foundation that is stain resistant and waterproof. It also has the advantage of being more escape proof. Should your dog mange to chew through the plastic, it is unlikely he will be able to damage the concrete.