How To Choose The Best Material For Your Dog Run - Furtastic Findings (2024)

Does your dog have free reign over your backyard? Do they tend to use the whole yard as their bathroom? Your dog deserves a safe and enjoyable space to run around and explore the great outdoors. A dog run is a great way to give your dog their own space while still being able to enjoy your yard.

However, with so many options available, choosing the right material for your run can be challenging.

In this post, we will look at what a dog run is, go over the process of selecting the best material for your run, and things to consider when building one for your dog.

Table of Contents:

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What Is A Dog Run?

A dog run is a specific space designated for your dog to allow them to run, play, and use the bathroom.

It can be put in your backyard, the side of your house, or even as part of a patio or balcony if you don’t live in a house.

What Is A Dog Run Good For?

A dog run is good for:

• People who want their dog to have a dedicated space instead of control of the entire yard.
• Dogs that like to run and play.
• A separate, dedicated space to use as your dog’s bathroom.
• Space for your dog to call their own to relax.

Things To Consider If You Want To Build A Dog Run

There are a few things you may want to consider if you wish to build a dog run for your pup. Some things include where you want to put it, the size of your dog, their temperament, the climate you live in, and your budget. Once you have these figured out, you can then focus on the type of ground cover you wish to use. Let’s look at each one.

Where Do You Want To Put Your Dog Run?

This is probably one of the most important decisions you will make when deciding on building a run.

Pay attention to the amount of sun and shade available in the area. If it is too sunny, you may want to consider adding a roof or some kind of covering to protect your dog from the heat of the day.

What Is The Size Of Your Dog?

The size of your dog and their temperament can help you determine what size your run should be.If your dog is small, a small dog run may suffice. If your dog is large, a bigger one would be better.

What Is Your Dog’s Temperament?

Your dog’s temperament is also important to consider. If your dog is young and likes to run, they may need a large space, even if they are a small dog. If they are older and just like to relax while outside, they may not need a large dog run.

What Kind Of Climate Do You Live In?

If you live in a hot climate, as mentioned before, you will want to be sure you provide your dog with plenty of shade to keep them cool while outdoors.

You will also want to keep this in mind when you are choosing the ground cover for your run, as some surfaces get very hot when exposed to the sun.

Have You Determined Your Budget?

You can have a great design for your dog run, but you need to be able to have the right budget to not only build it, but also to maintain it. Keep in mind whatever material you choose to use will have to be cleaned to avoid increased odor into your yard.

What Kinds Of Materials Are Available For Your Dog Run?

There are several options to choose from when considering ground cover for your dog run. The type of ground covering you choose is important. Yes you want it to look good, but it is also important to consider how hot it gets in the sun, if it is easy to take care of, and if it drains well when wet or cleaned. Some of the most popular options include:

• Pea Gravel.
• Crushed Limestone.
• Wood Chips/Mulch.
• Artificial Grass.
• Paving Stones.
• Concrete.

There are pluses and minuses to each type of ground covering. For example, gravel and limestone are good at discouraging digging behaviors but concrete and paving stones can get very hot in the sun despite their easy maintenance. Let’s go over each one so you can determine which one is best for your run.

Pea Gravel

Gravel is probably one of the most popular options to choose when building a dog run. It is cheaper than other options, is easy to maintain (just clean it off with a hose) and can hold up in different weather conditions.

Pea gravel is not a good choice if you have dogs that like to eat or play with rocks. It is also not good for some dogs, as the small stones can get lodged in your dog’s paws, which can become inflamed or infected. Pea gravel also has a tendency not to stay in place. So as your dog is running around, pieces of the gravel could end up on your lawn.

Pros:

• Long lasting.
• Resists decay.
• Will not fade.
• Does not attract termites or ants.
• Easy to maintain.
• Discourages digging.
• Drains well.

Cons:

• Not good if your dog likes to eat rocks.
• If too small can get caught in your dog’s paws causing irritation.
• Can spread to other areas of the yard.
• Can get hot in the sun.

Crushed Limestone

Crushed limestone is another option. The biggest draw to using limestone is that it resists odors. This is beneficial if your dog is using the run as a bathroom area, as it will not smell like urine over time, which other surfaces can.

Limestone is also easy to maintain, like the pea gravel, but is also not a good idea if your dog likes to eat rocks.

Pros:

• Neutralizes odors.
• Easy to maintain.

Cons:

• Not good if your dog likes to eat rocks

Wood Chips/Mulch

Wood chips and mulch is another option for your run. This is also easy to set up and use, and if you opt for cedar chips, it is a bug repellent, which is a great feature to have in a dog run.

The biggest drawback to using this is that the wood chips can break down and splinter. This can then become lodged in your dog’s paws, and can injure your dog. This type of covering can also get muddy when wet, resulting in wet, dirty paws in your house.

If you opt for this covering, maintaining it is very important to protect your dog.

Pros:

• Drains well.
• Cedar is a natural bug repellent.

Cons:

• Difficult to clean.
• Can cause harm to paw pads, i.e. splinters.
• Breeds bacteria.
• Can spread to other areas of the yard.

Concrete

Concrete is yet another option. Once it is in place, there is very little maintenance involved. Just hose it off when needed.

The downside is it may be expensive to cover the area you need and it can also get very hot in the sun.

Pros:

• Easy to clean. Just rinse with a hose.

Cons:

• Can get hot in the sun.
• May crack over time.

Paving Stones

Some people opt to use paving stones in their run. These look very nice in your yard and they are also easy to maintain. But like concrete, paving stones are expensive and can also get very hot.

Pros:

• Looks nice.
• Easy to clean.

Cons:

• Can get hot in the sun.
• Expensive.

Artificial Grass

Artificial grass or turf is another option you may want to consider. It looks like real grass and drains well when wet. It does not get brown like real grass so it won’t be affected by your dog’s bathroom waste.

Artificial grass also tends to get hot in the sun.

Pros:

• Looks like grass.
• Doesn’t brown.
• Easy to clean.

Cons:

• Can get hot in the sun.

What About Maintenance?

Be sure to think about the maintenance of each type of ground cover before you settle on an option.

Pea gravel can dislodge and you may have to continually pick up stray pebbles or replace soiled ones.

The same is true for limestone and wood chips.

Concrete may crack over time and you will need to repair it as time goes on.

For each type of covering, you will need to hose it down on a regular basis to help avoid any build up of urine or feces smells.

What Surfaces Can Dogs Run On?

If your dog will be using the dog run as an exercise space and will be running on it, you will want to choose a surface that is easy for them to run on. This would include:

Gravel

If you choose gravel, you will want a size that is easy for them to run on, so not too big. However, you don’t want them to be so small it gets caught in their paws.

Concrete

Concrete provides an even surface, however it can get hot in the sun and also be hard on their joints. You may want to consider adding a non-slip soft surface for your dog to walk or run on.

Artificial turf

Artificial turf is soft and comfortable for your dog to run on, however it can take some work to maintain.

Wood chips

Wood chips are also cushioned for your dog to run on, however they can break down and splinter if not maintained properly.

What Is The Best Gravel For Dog Urine?

If you decide on using gravel for your run, pea gravel is a great option (provided your dog doesn’t like to eat rocks)! It is easy for your dog to run on and is easy to maintain. Just make sure when you use it that the stones are smooth and there aren’t any with sharp edges that could hurt your dog.

Is Mulch Good For Dog Runs?

Mulch is an option you can choose for your dog run as it provides a soft surface for your dog to run on.

However, mulch can harbor bacteria and hold onto the smell of urine or feces if not maintained on a regular basis.

How Deep Should Gravel Be In A Dog Run?

When making your run you want it to be a depth of at least 4 inches. This will help to ensure proper drainage when it rains and when you clean the run.

Is Concrete Good For A Dog Run?

Concrete is another option for a dog run. It provides an easy to clean surface, however it can get very hot in the sun. As mentioned above, it can also be hard on your dog’s joints. Consider using a non-slip cushioned surface to ease their joints when lying down or running.

Another thing to consider is that it may crack over time and you will need to repair those cracks to avoid any injury to your dog.

On the plus side, concrete is easy to clean with just a spray of the hose and it will not harbor any odors.

Is Crushed Limestone Good For A Dog Run?

Some people opt to use crushed limestone for their dog run. Crushed limestone provides a good surface for dogs to run on.

Limestone does not hold onto the odors of your dog’s waste so it is a great option if your dog will be using the run as a bathroom as well.

Be careful of any sharp edges of the stone. Limestone also gets hot in the sun.

Is Artificial Turf Good For A Dog Run?

Artificial grass is another option that is soft on your dog’s paws. It is durable and low maintenance.

Artificial turf can get hot in the sun and can also trap odors if it is not cleaned properly.

What Is The Best Way To Keep A Dog Run Clean?

Keeping your run clean is essential to maintaining your dog’s health. Here are some tips on the best way to keep a dog run clean:

Regular Cleaning

It’s important to clean your run regularly to prevent any buildup of bacteria that can cause infections. As a rule of thumb, you should clean your run at least once a week. You can use a hose or power washer to wash away dirt and grime.

Disinfecting

Even after washing away the dirt, it’s important to disinfect your run. Use a pet-safe disinfectant to kill any bacteria or viruses that may be present. Pay extra attention to areas where your dog tends to urinate or defecate.

Remove Waste

Remove feces and any other waste as soon as possible, to further prevent any bacteria build-up and odor.

Regular Maintenance

Check your run for any loose or damaged areas, as these can pose a threat to your dog’s safety. Keep up with regular maintenance and promptly repair or replace any damaged areas.

Choosing the best material for your dog run will affect the safety and well being of your dog. Consider your space, your dog’s size and temperament, the climate you live in, and your budget when deciding on the materials that are right for you and your dog’s needs.

It is important to provide adequate shade for your dog, as most ground covers can get hot in the sun.

Regular maintenance is essential to avoid injury and decrease bacterial growth and odors.

Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.