Rubber mulch for dog yards? - Page 1

Does anyone have experience using recycled rubber mulch for dog exercise yards?

That doesnt sound good. Id be afraid of my dogs eating it and racking up some nice vet bills.

Hi there. We don't have it in the yards. But we do have it on the agility course! Good stuff for softening the impact. Not sure what it would be like for 'yards'.

Scooping poop and rubber doesn't sound easy or fun. I'd rather just leace dirt than haul rubber in.

Puppies eat pea gravel... Can't stand the MUD generated by wood chip mulch anymore... Looking for alternatives... Poop scooping is a fact of life, be it gravel, wood chips or concrete. Dogs munch on wood chip mulch and get the "big D". The question is, what happens if they munch on rubber mulch? We're in the woods with large spaces. Any vets with advice?

gck, I bought the big horse stall mats. They are extremely heavy, durable, and after 2 years, my dogs have not been able to chew or dig through them. The only downside is that they are BLACK, and thus, they do get hot in the summer, unless you paint them a neutral color. These have worked great! Easy to clean up, sterilize, etc. They run about $40-$80, depending on size. I get the 4x6's for about $50 each. You should be able to find them at a feed store, or have them special order some for you. Make sure you have some friends with you when you are placing them--when I say HEAVY I do mean it!!! Hope this helps. :) Melanie

I use pea gravel in my big exersize run, trying not to spill food so the dogs don't eat too much of it. I use double-ended snaps on buckets to keep them from knocking the food around too much. I have also used rubber mats, which I really prefer. Hate to say it, but for the sanitation issues and economic concerns I think concrete is best, with chew-proof resting benches. I like a light-brush finish on the concrete so the dogs don't slip and don't (usually) get those ugly callouses on their elbows. If its finished right its smooth enough to get really clean with a stiff push broom and not tear up the wide squeegie too quickly. (My pups usually take care of that proecess when they get the chance, however :) SS

Melanie, Do they have abrasions or discoloration from the rubber mats? Thanks,Jonah

Jonah, Absolutely not, but mine are not on it all day either, so perhaps someone else here who utilizes theirs for longer periods of time could better answer that. They are not a hard rubber, but very similar (only thicker) to the rubber tires for vehicles are made out of. They are flexible, but heavy as heck to move. They are great to walk on, easy to clear of snow, ice, dog "stuff", easy to sterilize if needed, soft for the dogs to be on (a lot better than concrete, although they do lose the benefit of wearing down the nails naturally, so you have to watch those and keep them clipped). Overall, the only downside is the heat during the summer, but like I said, if you paint them, (or simply keep the dogs off of them when they are hot) they work great. Mine are painted with a non-toxic paint on one side beige, and left the other side black (summer/winter). I think the dogs who stay inside all day on the carpet have worse wear on their elbows than the ones outside do. Hope that sheds some light. :) Melanie

Thanks Melanie, I'm considering options for the inside portions of the kennels. Best Wishes, Jonah