What is the best dog run flooring you can use? I get asked this question constantly, and it seems there are as many theories on what is the best flooring to use as there are types available. Having been a dog owner for about thirty years, I have had a bit of experience with this and I’m more than happy to add my two cents to the info-mix that’s available online when it comes to the dog kennel and run.
First of all, unless you live in the Sahara or someplace like it, letting your dog run for extended periods on grass or dirt is a big mistake. If you let your dog run on grass the grass will wear down and you’ll soon be left with what I like to call big bald spots of dirt. Add some rain to that, and you’ll soon be trekking mud into the kennel, or if your dog comes inside sometimes, into your house. Dog pee also kills grass, resulting in bald spots in the grass or dirt-plus-rain equals mud! So, no, I don’t recommend a grass run when it comes to dog runs and kennels.
I’ve seen pea gravel used for a run quite successfully. It’s nice for the dogs to run on, and it’s fairly easy to keep clean. You have to scoop up the poops of course, but the dog’s urine goes straight through and doesn’t stain. You can clean the gravel fairly easily by spraying once a week with a fairly strong Clorox solution. That seems to keep it clean and eliminates any odor in your dog run and kennel.
One caution with using gravel, pups will eat it so it’s not recommended for a run where you have pups. If they ingest it, it can kill them.
Also, know your dog. Some dogs, even full grown dogs, will eat the pea gravel. Maybe they think it looks like dry dog food? I don’t know. But before you invest time and money into laying out a pea gravel run you’d better make sure that your dog doesn’t eat it.
My favorite, and what I consider the best dog run flooring, is to lay a concrete dog run. Concrete is porous and it soaks up the dog urine which isn’t good as that leaves a bad smell. But it is easy to clean–just spray it off, disinfect it or spray it with bleach.
If you are prepared to invest a little more there are very good sealants available that make it easy to seal and clean your dog kennel and run floor.
Some people are concerned that a concrete run is uncomfortable for the dog to run on, or lay on, especially if it’s spending a good deal of time in their dog run kennels. One very simple solution to that is to buy Equine mats to lay down for some of the run. These are comfortable for the dog and provide some relief from the concrete.
Another alternative which some people have found useful is to use high density plastic flooring. It’s definitely durable and lightweight, and the installation is a breeze but it may not be sturdy enough for your run. Again, you’d have to know your dog. Plastic is enticing to many dog breeds. They delight in chewing it, grabbing it and running the length of the yard (or run) with it in their teeth. For example, I wouldn’t recommend it for a Retriever — after having seen mine chew the end off her plastic kennel. In fact, the best dog kennels for dogs that love to chew are not the hard plastic type, especially if there are edges they can easily get their mouth around.
Overall my recommendation would be to cement and seal first of all, or to use gravel for the dog run.  If your dog is going to spend a fair portion of each day in the dog kennel and run you owe it to him to make it as comfortable as you can. By the same token, if you’re the one doing the cleaning you owe it to yourself to make it as easy to do as you can.
That’s why I suggest cement, plus treatment for your dog kennel and run flooring. You can’t really go wrong with that.
Update:  Recently, I have been reassessing my dog runs kennels, especially since moving to an area that is much colder and more damp than my previous location.  Currently, I think the best flooring for dogs is an elevated decking that can fit inside the entire dog run kennel. It is made from hard plastic, very similar to regular patio decking. It can be placed directly on the ground or on cement and it will elevate the dog up off the cold ground. You can set enough down so that it can form the base of kennel floors, and still provide an area outside of the kennel where the dog can be elevated up off the ground. It does not  have to cover the entire run, but it is good to provide additional elevated space outside the kennel as well as using it as dog kennel floors. Remember, the best kennels are those that are the most comfortable for your dog no  matter what season!
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