Dog Kennel Flooring Options for Your Pet
Did you know that you can customize the flooring of your dog kennel to specifically meet the needs of your pet and your home? Kennel accessories are a growing market, as more people find themselves working longer hours or even second jobs in order to keep up in today’s economy. The right kennel flooring will provide additional comfort and sanitation for your dog while you are away from home. Let’s go through some of your choices.
Concrete Flooring
Concrete flooring is most frequently used as an option for outdoor kennels. Concrete is great because it’s durable and weather-resistant. If your dog digs or considers himself a canine Houdini, concrete is an impassable barrier between your dog and your lawn, which can save you vast amounts of money on landscaping. Concrete is easy to wash out – simply spray it down with your outdoor hose, and let it air-dry as necessary. Concrete holds heat and cold well, though, so it’s often necessary to provide your dog with other bedding – warm pet blankets in winter, and an elevated nylon resting place for summer. Concrete is also an extremely permanent addition to your backyard – it requires a fair amount of DIY savvy or an extra cash outlay for a professional installation. If you’re thinking about putting your house on the market in the near future, concrete slabs may be a turn-off to future buyers.
Gravel Flooring
Gravel is among the most reasonably priced options for kennel flooring, and is easy to obtain from any home or garden store. The small pea size of gravel means that rainwater and pet urine will drain away from the kennel, minimizing odor. You will need to scoop solids from gravel flooring, similar to scooping a cat’s litter-box. Gravel beds are easy to clean, and just take a simple water-and-Clorox spray mixture for sanitization. Gravel requires some raking in order to keep the kennel level; otherwise active and rambunctious dogs will kick the gravel in all directions and possibly unbalance the kennel. Gravel is not recommended for chewers or for young dogs, since gravel ingestion can lead to intestinal blockage and expensive vet trips.
Polymer Resin Flooring
Polymer resin kennel flooring is a choice popular with many dog owners for its ease of use and versatility. Polymer resin mats can be cut to fit virtually any kennel, and can be easily pulled out to clean or hose down. They are bacteria-resistant, so they prevent mildew or mold forming, as well as minimize pet odors from accidental kennel messes. Polymer resin mats usually have non-skid rubber feet on the underside, so your dog won’t use the mat as his personal slip and slide. Mats provide joint comfort for older dogs, since they are shock-resistant. Some polymer resin mats even have air channels built into them, for greater air circulation and ventilation inside the kennel.
With all the kennel flooring options available, it’s easy to find the perfectly personalized solution for your pet. The right dog kennel flooring will increase your dog’s comfort and safety levels, and help his kennel be an enjoyable space to while away his hours.