If you’re like most pet owners, you probably think of your dogs as your children, and want nothing less than the very best for your furry companions. With your dogs’ health and comfort of utmost priority, why would you want to settle for a less-than-luxurious dog kennel? The best way to guarantee a space your pups love is by building a dog kennel yourself. Do-it-Yourself dog kennels are a fun and easy project that allow you to fully customize the space your furry friends inhabit. With a DIY kennel, you can avoid the concrete or dirt floorings that come with most kennels and ensure your pets always have a comfortable place to lay.

There are several factors to consider when trying to pick out the best kennel flooring. Unlike humans, dogs don’t wear shoes, and their paws are susceptible to injuries caused by poor flooring choices. Common kennel flooring options like concrete can be sensitive to temperature, magnifying extreme hot or cold temperatures on its surface. This can injure your pups’ paws and cause them a lot of discomfort in your DIY kennel. Another reason that concrete is a poor choice in kennel flooring material is its hard and unforgiving surface. Concrete is uncomfortable to lay on, even for animals, and it is not the kindest surface to your pets’ paws. Their nails can become chipped or broken from such rigid kennel flooring options, which could lead to more serious paw injuries down the line. The rough surface also adds a lot of unnecessary strain to your pets’ bodies that could result in long-term health issues for your furry pals. Designing do-it-yourself dog kennels gives you the opportunity to create a safe and comfortable space for your pets, beginning with a quality rubberized flooring. Though there are many variations to choose from, rubber is typically the best kennel flooring across the board. No other kennel flooring material offers the same durability, comfort, and protection that rubber does. Your do-it-yourself dog kennels should prioritize the animals’ health and happiness, and rubber flooring does it in a number of different ways.

Protection: The most obvious benefit of installing rubber flooring in your do-it-yourself dog kennels is the superior level of protection. Rubber flooring is known for excellent abrasion, impact, and moisture resistances that make it great for most high-stress applications. The material absorbs movement, distributing it evenly across the surface to maintain a reliable standing surface. Rubber kennel flooring options come in various thicknesses and durometers so you can pick out the perfect level of protection and anti-fatigue for your pets. The thicker and softer the material, the more cushioning provided for your pups’ health and comfort. Some do-it-yourself dog kennels use specialty rubber floorings, which may feature traction-enhancing surface textures, moisture drainage holes, or corrugated grooves to make your pets’ space more hospitable. These kennel flooring options are great because increase they safety by ensuring a stable and dependable walking surface.

Comfort: If you were going to stand on the same surface all day every day, you would want it to be comfortable, right? Building a dog kennel is a great opportunity to skip out on hard concrete or dirt floors and instead provide your pups with an extremely forgiving surface. Rubber has natural elasticity, giving the kennel flooring material the ability to cushion around weight and provide anti-fatigue qualities. Rubber flooring for do-it-yourself dog kennels can range in durometer anywhere from soft and pliable 40A to the stiffer and more heavy-duty 70A. Though lower durometers tend to be more comfortable, it is also important to consider the size, breed, and behavior of your dogs to choose a kennel flooring material that will not be damaged by their claws. Rubber floors relieve pressure from your dogs’ joints and muscles, and are much more comfortable to lie on than dirt or concrete.

Rubber is also an excellent insulator and helps maintain a comfortable temperature in your DIY kennel. Concrete floors can become extremely hot in the sun and intensely cold at night, both of which conditions can cause your dogs discomfort or even injury. Do-it-yourself dog kennels with rubber floors experience much more comfortable temperatures, both on the flooring and in the kennel itself. Rubber floors aim to neutralize the temperature of the walking surface, potentially saving your pups from the dangers of burnt or freezing paws. In addition, the material’s insulation capabilities help to maintain comfortable air temperature, so your pets can feel cozy even when it starts to get chilly outside.

Convenience: Another reason that do-it-yourself dog kennels benefit from rubber floors is the ease of application and removal. Rubber floorings are designed for simple DIY installations, whether for temporary or permanent use. Some do-it-yourself dog kennels even opt for rubber mats over flooring, installed without adhesive so they can be removed and cleaned easily. This also makes it extremely easy to replace the flooring in your DIY kennel, ensuring a long-lasting home for your furry friends. Of course, sometimes when building a dog kennel you may need a more secure floor, in which case a polyurethane-based adhesive would be a better choice.

Rubber floorings for do-it-yourself dog kennels are typically made from recycled or reclaimed rubber materials. These materials make the best kennel flooring due to their extreme durability, affordability, and outdoor resistance. Rubber kennel floors are very low maintenance, as they can be left outdoors for long periods of time. The DIY kennel floor can be hosed down for easy cleaning, and most common cleaners can be used without causing damage to the rubber material. If for any reason the durable flooring does become damaged, it both easy and affordable to remove and replace.

Do-it-yourself dog kennels are an excellent way to show your pets some long-term love and affection. By creating a warm and comfortable space with the best kennel flooring, you can make your dogs feel like they have a home rather than a prison cell. Rubber protects their sensitive paws from extreme conditions, regulates temperature, and provides ant-fatigue comfort to keep your furry family in good health for years to come. With so many quality rubber kennel flooring options out there, there is no excuse for building a dog kennel that your pups don’t love.