What Is a Good Base for a Dog Kennel? (Solved!)

You’ve got a lot of options when it comes to the base of your dog kennel, but the most practical one for long time use is going to be concrete. While you could use things like pea gravel or wood chips, taking the time to lay a good cement foundation is still a much better option.

Concrete is a little more expensive, but not prohibitively so, and once the base is laid then it helps to secure the kennel and also provides an ‘easy to clean’ surface that will last many, many years. You can also easily place rubber mats and bedding in ‘sleeping stations’ in the kennel, so that the dogs aren’t napping on concrete.

All in all, spending a little extra now will save you a lot in the long run, so take the time to do it right and build a solid, concrete base for your kennel!

In today’s article, we’re going to answer some of the most popular questions trending on the web this week about dog kennel base options. Each have their perks and caveats, so let’s take a look at some important questions and the answers that you need to know for building-up the perfect kennel!

What do you put in the bottom of an outside dog kennel?

Drainage is one of the best options when it comes to an outside dog kennel, as this helps with proper cleanup. Without good drainage, you’ll spend extra time cleaning in order to ensure you don’t get buildup over time.

Raised floors are also a good idea and you should invest in warming and shading strategies, in order to make the kennel as comfortable as possible. After all, dogs will presumably be spending a lot of time there, so you don’t want it simply to be a basic ‘outdoor cage’.

Start with practical upgrades to keep it sanitary and comfortable and then consider extra upgrades from there.

Can you put vinyl on the floor of a dog kennel?

You can, and vinyl flooring is scratch proof, but it comes with the caveat of being slippery when wet, so you might consider upgrading to rubber instead. If you are set on a hard, cleanable surface, then Staylock perforated tiles are a good option, as they are easy to clean and have superior drainage qualities.

Consider even a combination of the two  — rubber is comfortable to sleep on, especially with a little hay bedding, and by isolating the sleeping areas and tiling the rest, then the kennel as a whole becomes more comfortable, yet easy to clean.

Will dogs poop on gravel in a kennel?

They will, but you need to be selective about the type of gravel that you use in the kennel enclosure. Options such as limestone, gravel chips, and pea gravel can be effectively used as ‘doggy cat litter’. They have excellent drainage and are easier on your dog’s paws than many other options.

It might take the dogs a day or two to get used to it, but once one dog has used it for litter, the others typically pick it up pretty fast. After that, cleanup is relatively easy, and gravel is cheap to replace.

What gravel is best for a dog kennel?

Pea gravel is considered to be one of the best options. The tiny pieces are very easy on the paws and they aren’t going to be potentially sharp like the occasional gravel-chip.

If you are wavering between the two, you can always test them if you have enough in your kennel by preparing two ‘potty stations’ and seeing what gets used the most. The dogs will quickly show you what option they prefer and then you’ll have a definitive, ‘doggy approved’ answer when it comes to their preferred gravel.

Is sand good for dog runs or kennels?

Sand is an excellent ‘potty station’ choice for kennels, but you will need to keep the volume constantly replenished. Sand has the advantages of being cheap, as well as easy to clean when a small portion becomes ‘used’.

You just need to make sure that you promptly replace the sand and that you schedule frequent ‘thorough cleanings’, as a side-effect is consistent use is small quantities of sand that can ‘get away’ and you don’t want a bad scent building up.

That said, with regular maintenance, sand is a comfortable and effective litter option for dogs in your kennel.

Is limestone good for a dog run or kennel?

Limestone can be used for a potty area, but only if it is very small. While it’s soft and the drainage is good, you don’t want to line a very large area with it. This is because consistent motion can drum up a bit of limestone dust and this can be irritating to the skin, lungs, and the eyes of your dog.

As such, if you use it in your kennel, it needs to be only in a corner potty area where it is simply used for refuse, rather than spread out over a large portion of the dog kennel where it could become more dangerous.

A better option to bypass all of the problems it to simply go with pea gravel or gravel chips.

Why isn’t limestone good for dog kennels?

Limestone is safe as long as it isn’t ingested or overly agitated. If it is eaten, your dogs could get sick, and you certainly don’t want that to happen.

Furthermore, running around constantly on a surface of limestone can drum up dangerous dust, making it only suitable for ‘waste litter’ and even then, it is considered a much less desirable option than safer choices like chipped or pea gravel.

Are wood chips good for a dog run or kennel?

Aside from gravels, have you considered wood chips? Pine mulch is especially good for dog runs. It’s soft, easy to clean, and inexpensive to replace. Options such as pine and cedar also help to keep insects out of the dog kennel, which is an added bonus if your dogs will be spending a lot of time outside.

Just keep in mind that it will need to be changed regularly and if this is not a problem, then you’ve got a soft, great-smelling option that most dogs will absolutely love.

Are river rocks good for dog kennels?

That depends on your dogs. Some dogs make play with the right-sized river rocks and accidental ingestion can occasionally occur. In most cases, however, this can be avoided by carefully picking good-sized stones to start off with.

River stones, smoothed by time, help your dog to keep their claws sharp and as a flooring medium, they are less likely to damage those claws. They also look quite nice, just make sure that you’ve created soft sleeping stations in the kennel so that the only option isn’t ‘lying on the pretty river rocks’.

How do you deodorize a dog run or kennel?

You don’t need a fancy chemical cleaner for a dog run, as white vinegar actually works quite nicely. You want to mix it up in portions of 1 cup of white vinegar to 3 cups of water and then you can douse areas or use a spray bottle to target the areas that you like.

White vinegar helps in neutralizing urine scents and is a great ‘pre-treatment’ before cleaning. Just spray or otherwise apply it inside, give it 15 to 20 minutes to work its magic, and then go in for a more thorough cleaning once the urine content has been weakened by the vinegar.

Kevin "Ken" Davies

My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.