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Absolutely. In fact, using the VetChoice Kennel Platform on the ground will give your pet a drier surface to live on plus making cleanup faster
and more hygienic.
When installing on the ground you should fill in any holes and level any mounds that may be present due to digging, erosion, frost heave, etc.
Then rake the ground smooth. It is OK (in fact, preferable) to have a slight pitch – or slope – to the surface. This will help with water runoff.
When installing directly on the ground, we recommend that the platforms be screwed together using #12 3/4-inch stainless steel screws. These
screws are available on our web site or from local hardware and home supply stores. Stainless steel screws are preferable because they will not
rust or stain the platform. The screws are installed in pre-formed pilot holes located on each tab of the platform.
An upscale technique for ground installations is to bury treated 2x4s on edge every two feet (approximately) so that the top edge of the 2x4 is
level with the ground (see diagram, below). Screw the platforms to the wood base using #10 2-inch stainless steel screws (available on our web
site or locally). To provide superior under-platform drainage, you can also remove several inches of topsoil and fill in with “P” stone gravel
when installing the treated 2x4s.
Yes. A VetChoice Kennel Platform deck on concrete will provide a warmer surface during the winter and a cooler surface during the summer
because of the underbody platform air chambers that trap insulating air. Also, older pets will appreciate the more “forgiving” surface the
platforms provide over hard concrete.
In most instances, you do not have to screw the platforms together when installed on concrete. You just tile the platforms to the final size of the
deck. However, if you are concerned that your pet is an aggressive chewer or digger and may lift a platform, then screw the platforms together
using #12 3/4-inch stainless steel screws. These screws are available on our web site or from local hardware and home supply stores. You can
always quickly remove the screws when moving the platforms for the occasional thorough cleaning.
When planning the area to be covered by the platforms you should start with the dimensions on the inside of the kennel fence since the platforms
are usually installed inside the kennel fence. The actual, installed size of the platform is ¾-inch short of a full two feet square. To determine the
final installed size of the deck, subtract ¾-inch for each platform.
For example, suppose your kennel is nominally 4 ft by 8 ft and you are going to install a grid of platforms 2 wide and 4 long. Then your installed
size in the “4 ft” direction would be 1-1/2 inch short of 4 feet (2 platforms x ¾ inch per platform = 1-1/2 inches). The installed size in the “8 ft”
direction would be 7ft – 9inches (4 platforms x 3/4-inch per platform = 3 inches).
Confused? Send us the details of your project and we will be happy to provide a plan. No charge for this service!
Yes. If you live in the northern climates – or if your dog is getting up in the years and enjoys a warm spot to lie – then you might want to consider
the black platforms. The black color will absorb heat from the winter sun and be warmer than the tan platforms. You can also mix both black and
tan platforms and let your pet decide which is the most comfortable spot.
The black platforms will also absorb heat during the summer. If you have shade in your kennel then this may not be of any concern. Also, you can
easily move the black platforms in your kennel to a shady spot during the summer and a sunny spot during the winter. Or, you can purchase extra
tan platforms and simply swap colors during the seasons.
No. There is a seam where the platforms abut against each other. Though small, you should expect a small amount of water will seep through
this seam. Also, there is a small hole in the center of the platform that acts as an underbody vent. However, for the most part the platforms are
completely solid.
It is difficult to envision a situation where a dog would be able to lift a platform to chew on it. However, if this is a concern then simply screw
the platforms together using #12 3/4-inch stainless steel screws. There is a small pilot hole provided in the platform tab for just this purpose.
Each platform has four tabs; two on one side and two more on the adjacent side. These tabs fit into interlocking recesses on adjoining
platforms. Thus, each platform will require four screws when it adjoins a platform on two sides. The last platform in the row only uses two tabs,
so this platform only requires two screws (see diagram). Similarly, the last row only uses two tabs, so this row also only requires two screws.
To illustrate, consider the diagram below for a 6’ x 8’ deck which consists of a 3 x 4 grid of platforms. The platforms are oriented such that the
tabs are on the right and bottom side of each. The number inside the circle is the number of screws that platform will require. Notice that the
right-most platform in the top two rows only requires two screws (because the tabs on the right side of this platform do not attach to another
platform). Likewise, notice that the bottom row only requires two screws per platform. Finally, notice that the lower-right platform does not
require any screws.
