Anyone out there ever use some type of ground rubber for kennel flooring? Someone I just met recommended it over gravel, which was what I was leaning towards, and I'd never heard of it before. He said it is available through Agway.

In the past I have used wood shavings( as for in a horses stall) but it was a pain in the a$$ for long term use, so I got rid of it.

I have a 20x20 (6ft high) outdoor kennel, 2 dog houses, and it is on land w/ a slight slope, w/ nice shade in the summer after some morning sun.

Originally I thought that a 12 inch deep layer of gravel over the bare dirt flooring would be the best way to go, but this guy today said he had the ground up black stuff over a layer of sand and that it was excellent. He said it comes in big paper bales similar to sawdust and is very light weight. He also said that the dogs don't eat it and that it doesn't fade and is softer for them to lay on....

Since this is something I've never heard of before, I was hoping someone out there may be able to tell me what they know about this stuff and whether it would in fact be superior to gravel.

Thanks!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

We rent a barn to train in the winter months and that is what the footing is. I can't see how it would be a bad thing as long as the dog didn't take to eating it. It is nice and cushy on the joints. They have a sand/rubber mix and the only drawback to that is the sand sticks to the sleeve cover so you need to brush between bites. The rubber particles stick as well, but they don't wear the teeth.

we have used rubber horse mats to cushion against the unforgiving concrete runs. ofcourse, there are pluses and minuses that go with it, but if you are looking for something to absorb shock, is durable and washable, they're pretty good. (they can also be cut to lay where you want if you don't need it everywhere)

Patricia, unless they are ground up,I couldn't use mats in my setting.

Deanna, was the stuff all mixed together or was it layered as sand w/ the shredded black rubber on top? How good do you think it would be as a flooring for a kennel? Do you think it would be superior to gravel?

One of my handlers who was not planning to stay at his current location for long used the thick rubber mats from Tractor Supply. He put them on pallets which he connected together. He seems to really like the set up and it does seem easier on the joints than concrete. You can probably get the pallets for free. Many companies just throw them away.

The ground rubber doesn't wash/float away when you hose it, if it's that lightweight? And I'd be worried about a dog eating it; when they're bored, they'll eat anything. I don't like any kind of footing that the feces and urine mix in with and you just can't get it clean. I have my kennels on a sloping area also, and I just built a wooden deck out of pressure treated lumber, 5/4" boards, just above the ground. Works great, I can keep it clean, and the wood isn't hard on the joints.

Originally posted by Jeannette Polowski:

Deanna, was the stuff all mixed together or was it layered as sand w/ the shredded black rubber on top? How good do you think it would be as a flooring for a kennel? Do you think it would be superior to gravel? It was all mixed in. I personally can't see using it for the same reason Lee stated, but you can't really 'wash' gravel either. The mats can at least be washed, the dogs cant chew them, and they can be moved (each mat is like 4x6 depending on where you buy them)

Sounds like Rubber Mulch. I see this in quite a few playgrounds (around playsets) and in horse training areas. Its made from ground up tires. This site has some more information... http://www.rubbermulch.com. I've never seen it in kennels or mixed with sand, but its used outdoors. Its great to walk (play) on, has a bounce to it.

Hmm, interesting....

I was always under the imnpression that gravel could be hosed down periodically after solid wastes are removed?

I'm not into wood since I feel that it will absorb urine and then smell after a while....

I really don't like the idea of sand either, I barely can stand sand at the beach, never mind in my backyard!!

Ugh, decisions..I hate them sometimes...I'm too tired these days to think all that much..(long boring story! LOL)

I emailed the rubber mulch site for their opinion of the product they sell being used on a kennel floor.I'm curious as to what they have to say.

Thanks all! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I just read the rubber mulch site. It says small fibers in it will retain moisture, thus requiring less watering to keep dust down in the arena. I would think that also means retains urine.