Kennel bedding - Page 1

What is the best material to line an outside kennel with? I have seen untreated wood chips and pebble gravel, I am unable to put down concrete. Thank you, Melanie

Some people have had good use of building a simple wood deck, slightly raised a few inches. Made of boards or planks. We cannot lay concrete down, as we live on an air base (same as renting really). Wasn't sure if you needed an alternative to all concrete products, or if you need something that's just not permanent? Our yard is set up kind of nice, its like an L shape, with the grass and shrubs in the backyard, and the side yard is dirt/sand. We put a fence separating the side from the back, and the dog runs are in the dirt side. For the actual kennels, I used those 12" x 12" patio bricks. Got them from home depot for about $1 a brick, turns into approx. $72 per 6'x12' run. I chose the smoothest brick possible as well. Its easy to hose off and keep clean, like regular concrete. I plan on buying those thick rubber stall mats like for horses, for better shock absorption and ease on their joints, but am not installing them until we move at the end of the year.

We just changed our kennel decks from a wood surface with stall mats on top to composite decking. The composite decking is on the expensive side but does not absorb like wood, which should make for easy cleaning. We kept one 4x6 stall mat in each kennel. Each dog house is on top of the stall mat for insulation and they can lay on the mat itself which is softer than the composite decking. Our dogs are only in the kennel during day time hours and when weather is not extreme.

Wooden pallets with outdoor plywood nailed on top make good resting benches and they are inexpensive to make.

It all really depends on where you live and what kind of weather you have...Europeans use different materials to say Americans because the weather is so much different and the conditions are different...I live in Florida and my kennel (inside/outside kennel) is all made of concrete and drains well...but the dogs do get worn elbows and the such from this material...there are draw backs to every material...

Since we're on the subject... I am thinking about putting two small 6' x 8' kennels in my garage for the winter if we get another rain season like we did last year. The floor of the garage is concrete of course, but I was considering using wood shavings (like for horse stalls) in the bottom. With a 6" high wooden frame around the bottom outside of the kennel to keep the shavings where they should be, for the most part. And also so I can put down a nice thick layer for cushion. Any cons of using the shavings? Do dogs tend to eat the stuff? (one of my dogs is a malinois and I wouldn't put it past him!)

Wood shavings are good, but you must use the best quality, usually a little more expensive but worth it. Some shavings are very dusty--bad for the dogs (lungs and ears) and bad for the home if it is in the basement. There are cleaner types, but you must shop around. Usually livestock suppliers have a couple of grades.

Wood shavings are a PAIN to clean up after they get soiled and WET! They weigh a TON. I used to use cedar shavings but, after loading 15 - 20 garbage bags of shavings per kennel cleaning, all weighing a ton, i stopped. I now use 2" x 10" wide pressure treated lumber with a 1/2 " space between all boards for drainage. Under the decking/framing, I have crushed stone, about 3 " for additional drainage. In the kennel, i also place STRAW. Not hay. Hay is full ow weeds and dirty. Straw is clean and no weeds. (Puppies can eat some of the seeds and leaves in from the weeds in hay.) The straw absorbs urine that may not drain through, and stool sticks to the straw, NOT the wood decking, making clean up easy. When the area smells bad, Its times to bleach down the crushed stone UNDER the decking.

Thanks for your responses.