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Best Outdoor Flooring for Doggy Daycares

By Paige Cerulli

Created: Jun, 2018 - Modified: Jul, 2023

In running your doggie daycare, you put policies and practices into place to make sure that the dogs stay safe and healthy while in your care. But how much attention have you given to the flooring in your outdoor dog runs and play spaces? Quality outdoor dog kennel flooring can help to keep dogs safe as they play, and it's well worth the investment.

Here's what you should know about choosing outdoor dog kennel flooring for your doggie daycare.

Features to Look for in Outdoor Dog Kennel Flooring

When you're evaluating different flooring options for use in an outdoor kennel, look for products with the following features:

Traction

Good traction is important for both dogs and caretakers. Look for flooring designed to maximize traction in all situations, including when the flooring is wet or when it's raining out. Additionally, the flooring you choose should provide adequate drainage to prevent standing water from pooling on its surface. This will not only make the flooring safer, but will also help to keep the dogs drier and prevent them from playing in puddles.

Comfort

Look for flooring that offers comfort and some shock absorption, too. A forgiving flooring will help to keep dogs more comfortable, and will also minimize the chance of injury if dogs are roughhousing or if they fall or slip. Rubber dog run flooring is a popular option, since the rubber makes for a forgiving surface that is still strong enough to withstand heavy traffic and dog nail scratches.

Low Maintenance

When you own a doggy daycare, you have enough to do - you don't need a rubber dog run flooring that requires heavy maintenance. Instead, look for a product that requires only occasional, minimal maintenance.

Durability

Kennel flooring products need to be highly durable. Dog flooring must be able to withstand the traffic of dog nails and to remain undamaged when the dogs are running or playing.

But outdoor dog kennel flooring also must be durable enough to withstand the elements. Look for flooring that can withstand extreme temperatures, snow and ice.

Outdoor Dog Kennel Flooring Options

If you're looking for ideas for outdoor dog area flooring, we have a few products that we've chosen for their excellent performance, durability, and safety.

Artificial Turf for Dog Areas


Artificial turf is a top choice for outdoor play areas for dogs. There's less maintenance and hassle with artificial grass than real grass. For commercial dog facilities, we recommend choosing a turf product that does not require infill and is less than 1.5 inches tall for easier pet waste clean-up. Having a long, plush turf or using infill can make cleaning up more difficult. Also, look for fast-draining turf to prevent puddles from forming.

Our top turf product for doggy daycares is Pet Heaven Artificial Turf. Pet Heaven requires no infill and has a pile height of 1 inch. This is a natural-looking turf and provides excellent drainage.

Also, consider the Play Time Artificial Turf which is a softer option that is great for both commercial and residential dog areas. It does not require infill and features a taller pile height at 1-1/4 inches.

Outdoor Rubber Tile


You'll also want to consider our Sterling Athletic Rubber Tile. These highly durable tiles are a great dog floor mat option, thanks to their quality manufacturing and unique interlocking edge design.

These tiles are a high-end product that can be used both indoors and outdoors. They measure 1.25 inches thick and offer shock absorption and grip. This heavy-duty flooring can certainly withstand the high degree of traffic it would see in a commercial doggy daycare operation. These tiles are often used in gym weight rooms, and their strength and durability is ideal for use in dog kennels.

One major benefit that these tiles offer is their hidden interlocking edge design. The tiles fit together to create a smooth, unified surface, so there's very little chance of dogs' nails getting caught in the edges or of debris falling down in between the tiles.

When it comes time to clean the tiles outdoors, all you have to do is hose them off or mop them with hot water and a neutral pH cleaner. Their low-maintenance design will help to save you both time and money, so you can focus on the more important elements of your business.

Choosing Dog Floor Mat Products for Your Doggy Daycare

Ready to order, or still have questions? Give our customer service representatives a call. We would be happy to help you explore the dog floor mat options available and can even help you to decide which product is right for your business.