Kennel Flooring UK: Best Rubber Matting for Dog Kennels & Pet Areas

The right kennel flooring makes a significant difference to dog welfare, hygiene, cleaning time, and the longevity of your facility. Whether you're specifying flooring for a commercial boarding kennel, a rescue centre, a veterinary hospital, or a home dog room, this guide covers the materials, specifications, and practical considerations for getting it right.

Why Rubber Matting is the Best Kennel Flooring

Concrete has been the traditional kennel floor material — it's durable, easy to hose down, and cost-effective to install. But plain concrete has serious drawbacks for dog welfare:

• Cold and hard: Concrete conducts cold, chilling dogs that lie on it — particularly a problem for elderly dogs, puppies, and short-coated breeds
• Slip hazard: Wet concrete is extremely slippery, causing falls and leg injuries, particularly in excited or anxious dogs
• Joint stress: Hard surfaces increase pressure on hips, elbows, and joints — especially damaging for dogs already predisposed to hip dysplasia or arthritis
• Paw abrasion: Rough concrete abrades paw pads over time, causing soreness and increasing infection risk

Rubber matting directly addresses each of these problems while maintaining the hygiene and durability advantages of concrete.

Types of Rubber Kennel Flooring

Solid Rubber Mat Roll (Most Common)

Heavy-duty SBR or EPDM rubber in roll form, cut to the kennel dimensions. This is the most widely used format for boarding kennels and rescue centres:

• Lies flat — no trip hazards from tile edges
• No joints — minimises areas where urine and bacteria can accumulate
• Easy to lift for deep cleaning of the subfloor
• Available in ribbed or studded surface textures for improved grip
• Standard widths: 1.0m, 1.2m, 1.5m rolls; cut to any length

Interlocking Rubber Tiles

25mm or 17mm interlocking rubber tiles offer flexibility for odd-shaped kennels or areas requiring selective coverage. Advantages:

• Individual tiles can be replaced if damaged
• Easy to customise coverage area
• Good for raised kennel platforms and sleeping areas

Drawbacks: joints between tiles accumulate waste — more cleaning effort than seamless roll matting.

Perforated / Open-Grid Rubber Mats

For outdoor runs where drainage is critical. Open-structure rubber allows urine, water, and waste to drain away from the dog's paw contact surface. Suitable for:

• Outdoor exercise runs
• Grooming and wash areas
• Vet or assessment areas where surfaces need to drain quickly

Rubber Stable Mats (Repurposed for Kennels)

17mm or 22mm stable mats — originally designed for horses — are frequently specified for large-breed dog kennels and greyhound rescue centres. Their superior thickness and density provides excellent cushioning for large dogs. They handle high-volume cleaning well and their agricultural-grade durability suits busy rescue environments.

Specification by Application

Hygiene and Cleaning

Hygiene is non-negotiable in any multi-dog environment. Proper disinfection protocols prevent the spread of parvovirus, kennel cough, ringworm, and other pathogens.

Daily Cleaning Protocol

1. Remove solid waste and soiled bedding
2. Hose or scrub the rubber mat surface with clean water
3. Apply kennel-safe disinfectant (ensure it's effective against parvovirus — use a product with a virucidal claim)
4. Allow dwell time as per the disinfectant manufacturer's instructions
5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water
6. Allow to dry before replacing bedding or returning dogs

Weekly Deep Clean

1. Lift rubber mats and move outside the kennel
2. Clean the concrete subfloor beneath — remove any moisture or waste accumulated under mats
3. Power-wash and disinfect the subfloor
4. Power-wash mats separately and allow to dry fully in sunlight where possible
5. Inspect mats for damage before replacing

Disinfectants That Are Safe for Rubber

Avoid bleach (sodium hypochlorite) for routine use — while effective as a disinfectant, repeated use degrades rubber compounds. Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) and accelerated hydrogen peroxide disinfectants are generally rubber-safe and highly effective in kennel environments. Always check the manufacturer's chemical compatibility data.

Welfare Considerations

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 and related codes of practice (APHA Dog Boarding Guidance) require that boarding kennels provide suitable accommodation that meets each animal's behavioural and physiological needs. Flooring is specifically mentioned — it must:

• Be safe and comfortable for the animal
• Be capable of being effectively cleaned and disinfected
• Not cause injury or distress

Rubber matting satisfies all three requirements. Bare concrete without matting is increasingly being challenged by licensing authorities as inadequate for long-term kennelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best flooring for dog kennels?

Rubber matting is widely regarded as the best flooring for dog kennels. It provides a warm, cushioned surface that reduces joint stress, is non-slip even when wet, and is easy to disinfect. SBR rubber is most cost-effective for indoor commercial kennels; EPDM rubber is preferred for outdoor kennels.

How do I clean and disinfect rubber kennel mats?

Hose down or power-wash, then apply a kennel-safe virucidal disinfectant, allow dwell time, rinse thoroughly, and allow to dry before returning dogs. Lift mats weekly for deep cleaning of the subfloor. Avoid bleach for routine use as it degrades rubber over time.

What thickness rubber matting is best for dog kennels?

10–17mm for indoor sleeping and resting areas; 6–10mm ribbed for run areas and passages. Thicker mats (17–22mm) are particularly beneficial for large or heavy breeds and rescue centres.

Is rubber flooring safe for dogs?

Yes — commercial-grade SBR and EPDM rubber matting is safe for dogs. Use only products specified for animal contact or general floor use. Avoid rubber with unknown chemical compound compositions.

Can rubber kennel flooring be used outdoors?

Yes — EPDM rubber matting is the correct choice for permanent outdoor use, as it resists UV radiation, ozone, and temperature extremes. SBR rubber is less suitable for permanent outdoor exposure.

Ready to order kennel flooring? Browse our Kennel Flooring collection → — cut to size, durable SBR and EPDM options, free UK delivery.