Since dogs are considered part of the family, it is normal to find them living inside the house. Here, he would enjoy all the privileges that the rest of the household is getting inside.

However, your canine doesn't have to be inside the house to feel warm and welcome. You could always build them a high-quality kennel to house them. A top-notch kennel has all the areas right, including the flooring.

This because it helps in keeping the feet warm and also determines the ease of cleaning the kennel. In this article, we shall help you find the best material to be used as flooring. Additionally, you could check out Hetoq picks for dog kennel flooring to get some good ideas.

Let’s do this.

Flooring Options for An Outside Kennel

We will give you different ideas on what you can use as flooring for your pet's kennel. In the end, you should be better placed to decide which one would be the best choice.

I) Wooden Flooring

Many pet owners often place wooden platforms over gravel, concrete, or rocks so that when cleaning time comes, the water will drain away easily. However, there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind before going for a wooden undercover:

*Should you decide to change locations, the platform would be very easy to move

*To prevent rotting, the wood needs frequent treatment. Whether you use paint or stain, it should be dog-friendly

II) Concrete Flooring

The main advantage of using concrete is that you would appreciate it during cleaning. If you slope the floor towards a drain, the water will flow away with maximum ease. Further, the material has impressive durability.

There are some things that you need to know about concrete:

*It is easily affected by the weather and gets hot to the touch in the summer and too cold during the winter

*Even though it helps in trimming the dog’s nails, concrete also causes the paw pads to experience more wear and tear

*It would be wise if you chose a non-concrete resting surface in the hot seasons to cool the canine’s feet

III) Dirt/Grass

If you want to avoid incurring any installation costs, this would be the best option to go for since dirt/grass is freely available. Further, it is not affected by extreme heat and is quite comfortable for the dog’s feet.

However, be prepared to deal with continuously dirty feet while the dirt and grass become hard to maintain when it rains heavily. It would be best if you also were on the look for poisonous plants and insects that may be troublesome to the dog.

You could go for synthetic grass, which is easier clean and maintain. However, it heats up fast in a warm climate and can be quite pricey.

IV) Gravel, Stone, and Sand

Although this is popular with traditional dog runs, there are several reasons why we do not recommend them:

*The surface gets too uncomfortable for the dog during hot weather as it burns the paw pads

*There is always the risk of your dog ripping the paw pads and damaging the nails

Friendlier alternatives to the above options include pea gravel, crushed limestone, and river rock.

V) Rubber Matting

You are likely to find rubber matting in many dog daycare facilities and is one of the best flooring options you could go for. The material is friendlier on the dog's feet, plus it is easy to clean. Additionally, you could customize them to your desired shape.

If you leave in an extremely sunny area, be sure to get a matting that can withstand loads of sunshine.

Final Verdict

Before you select a particular flooring for an outside kennel, ensure that it is not toxic for your canine. You should also factor in your budget and your yard area's shape as your search for the perfect flooring.

Your dog's temperament is another thing that you should always keep in mind as you search. If you keep these issues in mind, you will be on the right track towards making the right choice.