Kennel Flooring - Which System Works

During my search back in April 2009 for a kennel flooring system that would work within my budget constraints yet still help minimize odors and unhealthy hygienic conditions, I visited a few forums looking for answers.

At one forum, I read about one guy installing a wood flooring system that worked for him. In my mind, the thought of dangerous splinters created from our dogs chewing the wood boards and the urine absorbing into the wood made me decide against this type of Kennel flooring system.

On another forum, I saw where a lady stated that she used the green outdoors/indoors artificial carpet laid over concrete for her dog's outside area.  According to her, she had no problems maintaining the carpet and it was easy to hose off especially the feces. Maybe I could use the green carpet...man, was I ever wrong in thinking of that as an option. 

Still hesitant, I continued my search, again having to pass up on the more expensive floor systems, especially with me thinking about installing kennel flooring in the two connected kennels with a total 7.5' wide x 26' long measurement. I was also leaning towards putting wood chips down in the kennel without the sunscreen covering.

As you saw on the previous page and now on this page, I decided against the wood chip flooring option because of the following reasons:

• Wood chips scattering everywhere and replenishment inevitable 
• Urine absorption along with the feces sticking to the wood chips equals replacement and  more work for me 
• Dogs digging holes resulting in them being too muddy for the house 

I still chose two(2) different kennel flooring systems to try to save a few bucks.

For the kennel section where their dog house, water and food are located, I installed the Instant Kennel Floor™ that was advertised as a rugged, long lasting design and resistant to the build up of germs and bacteria.

With the cost in my budget range, easy installation, the fabric actually porous as advertised and feces removal quick and easy, the Instant Kennel Floor grommet/spike model has made a perfect flooring system for my outdoor kennel.

I wish I had went ahead and installed this model of the Instant Kennel Floor model in both kennels in the first place.

But no...I wanted to save some money which at first I thought I did for about six months.

Yes, I went ahead and installed the green outdoors/indoors carpet because according to the forum advice the feces would wash off easy enough and the urine would drain through the carpet.

Maybe the green carpet worked great for the lady in the forum and she is still happy using the cheaper carpet material.

I was actually happy and agreeing with her recommendations for about five months until I started noticing the urine smell lingering in the air even after cleaning and disinfecting the carpet.

Then the dogs, a month later, decided for whatever reason that it was possible and down right fun to eat through the carpet material.

I was running out of bricks and mats to use to cover the holes until I could replace the carpet.

The money and the labor I initially invested was down the drain plus now it looked like the money I was trying to save was going to be spent along with some more money.

And now, I needed a new plan of action for that kennel section.

In the other kennel section, the Instant Kennel Flooring grommet/spike model was performing as designed with no problems.

It Was Time To Buy Another Instant Kennel Flooring System

I contacted the manufacturer, KF Technologies, to order another kennel floor and shared the story with them about the carpet.

KF Technologies offered me one of their new kennel floor design concepts free of charge except for the shipping cost to install the new design prototype as a test then provide them feedback.

My Feedback and Failing Grade For A New Instant Kennel Flooring Design Prototype - September 2009

The white edging system on the new design concept tested in September 2009 failed to perform at a level where I can personally recommend purchasing that particular model.

The easy removal of feces, great drainage and the dogs have not been able to chew or scratch through the material matches the first model I bought.

The reason for the failing grade was the issue of the dogs easily pulling the flooring material out of the white edging system and back into the kennel. The new design developed to prevent this from happening.

I had to put square blocks inside the kennel at the fence edges to keep the dogs from pulling the mat back inside the kennel for the second time.

The Instant Kennel Flooring prototype with the white edging is now being re-evaluated by the manufacturer for possible design changes.

Without changes being made and if this particular model with the existing white edging design still comes to market, I recommend do not buy.

February 7, 2011 Updates: 

Update On The Original Instant Kennel Flooring Mat Purchased April 2009

Positives:

• Still very happy with Easy Cleanup and with dogs still not getting muddy which means less in-house carpet and furniture cleaning 
• Dogs still have not been able to dig through the material almost 2 years later 

Negative: 

• Dogs to my surprise were recently able to pull the flooring mat material away from around a grommet located on a corner which resulted in them pulling the section back into the kennel. 

I was able to repair this damage by using a piece of plastic roll edging that I laid over the flooring edge in that area. I then used 8 inch nail spikes and large washers to create makeshift grommets to secure the kennel flooring in this area.

Update On the Prototype Instant Kennel Flooring Mat Tested Back In September 2009

• I am still using this mat. The dogs have not been able to dig holes through the material even though you can see they have tried in several areas. 
• After the dogs initially pulled the material out of the white edging when the mat was first installed, I used concrete squares to keep the material in place where the edging was damaged. They have not tried to pull the mat material out of the white edging system still intact in several areas around the kennel. 
• The dogs, at times, like to lay on the concrete squares.

What Is My Recommendation as of February 7, 2011?

At this time, it is my understanding KF Technologies is now selling a new Improved Instant Kennel Floor system with improved grommet devices used and additional mat grommet anchoring locations built into the floor material.

Until my four dogs actually test the improved product, I can't recommend nor would I be comfortable selling the new Instant Kennel Floor system on this web site.

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