Is a Dirt Floor With Shavings Safe for My Dog Kennel?

Kennel floors should be comfortable, sanitary and easy to clean. Using shavings on a dirt base is a relatively inexpensive kennel floor, but shavings present a handful of concerns for dogs. If the pros outweigh the cons, other choices are preferable for kennel flooring.

  1. Cleanliness

    • A combination of dirt and shavings can serve as a kennel floor that stays moderate in temperature. However, this mixture can become muddy, and it can become a health concern. If the lining becomes muddy or moist, it can develop mold or fungal growth. Shavings, if not removed regularly, can rot. If dogs are expected to relieve themselves in the kennel, waste can contribute to these processes.

    Digging and Splinters

    • Some dogs can't resist digging in the dirt. Determined dogs could slip out of the kennel unless your kennel fence extends deep into the ground. Kennel supervisors must also watch for the potential of a dog suffering splinters with any wood-based shaving.

    Inhalation and Ingestion

    • Inhalation and ingestion can be issues with shavings. In general, wood shavings can be harmful if ingested. The Humane Society of the United States says softwood shavings, including pine and cedar, emit fumes that are dangerous to small mammals. Cocoa mulch is especially dangerous to dogs. Like chocolate, cocoa mulch contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs.

    Alternatives

    • Whatever the lining, you should change it regularly for a clean, healthful kennel. Although shavings may be simple to shovel out and replace, the dirt can be messier and more labor intensive. If it turns out the drawbacks of a dirt-and-shavings kennel outweigh the benefits, alternatives like long-stem grass hay exist. It's cleaner than dirt, it's easier to remove, and it doesn't carry risks of inhalation or splinters.