Does Flooring Substrate Impact Kennel and Dog Cleanliness in Commercial Breeding Facilities?

Judith Stella,Candace Croney,Moriah Hurt,Amy Bauer,Audrey Ruple,Paulo Gomes,Alan Beck

doi:10.3390/ani8040059

Abstract

Simple SummaryIt is important to understand how the flooring substrate used in dog housing impacts dog health and well-being. Aspects to consider include paw, elbow, and hock health, the cleanliness of the dog, and the ability of the floors to be cleaned easily and thoroughly. This pilot study assessed the health and cleanliness of 118 dogs housed on three different types of flooring commonly found in commercial breeding kennels. No serious paw, elbow, or hock problems were identified. Thirty-one percent or fewer kennels at each facility were found to have fecal contamination after routine cleaning and the majority of dogs were clean. These findings indicate that a well-managed kennel can maintain clean, healthy dogs on different types of flooring substrates.Evaluation of kennel flooring surfaces is needed to understand their impacts on dog health and well-being. This pilot study aimed to characterize aspects of physical health, kennel cleanliness, and dog body cleanliness on flooring types common in US breeding kennels. Subjects were 118 adult dogs housed on diamond-coated expanded metal (DCEM), polypropylene (POLY), or concrete (CON) flooring at five commercial breeding facilities in Indiana, U.S. Body condition, paw, elbow, and hock health scores were recorded. Each indoor kennel and dog was visually assessed for cleanliness. Kennels were swabbed immediately after cleaning with electrostatic dry cloths and cultured for Escherichia coli. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Mean body condition score (BCS), kennel and dog cleanliness scores were all near ideal (3, 1.15, and 1.04, respectively). Thirty-one percent or fewer kennels at each facility were culture-positive for E. coli after cleaning. No serious paw, elbow, or hock problems were identified. Overall, the findings indicate that with appropriate management and regular access to additional surfaces, dog foot health, cleanliness, and kennel cleanliness can be maintained on the flooring types investigated.

Highlights

The high demand for purebred dogs that exists in the U.S is partially met by the commercial dog breeding industry
While research has been conducted on topics such as the quality and quantity of space provided to dogs and the effects of environmental enrichment in kennel environments [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9], little research exists on impacts of different aspects of housing, such as flooring [10], on dog welfare and no published studies appear to have investigated these areas in commercial breeding operations
This pilot study focused on evaluating the physical health and cleanliness of dogs, and the level of hygiene achieved as a function of the flooring type used in the commercial breeding kennels in which they were maintained

Summary

Introduction

The high demand for purebred dogs that exists in the U.S is partially met by the commercial dog breeding industry. While research has been conducted on topics such as the quality and quantity of space provided to dogs and the effects of environmental enrichment in kennel environments [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9], little research exists on impacts of different aspects of housing, such as flooring [10], on dog welfare and no published studies appear to have investigated these areas in commercial breeding operations. Cows maintained on rubber slats appeared less likely to experience foot disease than those housed on solid rubber flooring Those housed on concrete were more prone to develop lameness, and heel erosions than those kept on solid rubber [13], and rubberized alley flooring has been suggested to reduce dairy cow claw wear and trauma [14]

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Discussion

Conclusion