Scupper Plugs Explained: When to Plug and When to Drain

Quick answer

Plug your kennel scuppers when you want to keep the floor dry—during travel, at events, or any time water, mud, or spilled bowl contents would otherwise run across the floor. Pull them when you need to drain standing water quickly, such as after a full wash-down or heavy rain. For Dash Series kennels, the Scupper Extra Plugs for Dash Series give you a spare set of two blue plugs so you can switch between plugged and drained without hunting for lost parts.

What a scupper plug actually does in a Dash Series kennel

A scupper is simply a drain hole built into the floor or lower wall of the kennel. The plug is the removable stopper that seals it. In a Dash Series watering or feeding system, those holes let water escape when you rinse the unit or when a bowl overflows. Left open, they also let water, mud, and debris travel back in. The plug gives you a choice: seal the floor for a dry interior, or open it for one-way drainage.

The Scupper Extra Plugs for Dash Series are a set of two blue replacement plugs sized for the Dine N Dash Feeding System and the Dash Series of watering systems, including the Dash 3.5 and Dash 5.0. Because they are a spare set, you can keep one pair installed and one pair on hand for the moment a plug goes missing in the yard or at a trial.

When to plug your kennel scuppers

Plug the scuppers when a dry floor matters more than drainage. That includes travel days when a spilled water bowl would soak bedding, event days when you want the kennel to stay clean between runs, and any situation where the kennel sits on a surface you do not want stained or muddied. If your dog tends to splash, plugging the scuppers keeps that water pooled in one spot you can wipe up instead of letting it trickle out and back in.

Plugging is also the right call when the kennel is indoors or on a deck and you want to contain mess. Just remember that a plugged floor holds whatever lands in it, so check the interior after messy use and wipe it dry before it sits.

When to pull the plugs and let the kennel drain

Pull the plugs for wash-downs, after a muddy run, or any time standing water has collected. With the plugs out, water exits through the scupper instead of pooling around your dog's paws. This is also the safer setting for hot weather if the kennel gets rinsed or if a water bowl tips, because the floor can shed liquid rather than hold it.

If you are cleaning the kennel with a hose, remove the plugs first so dirty water and debris flush out through the drain holes. Once the kennel is dry, decide whether to reinstall the plugs based on the next use—dry travel or another rinse.

Fit, storage, and keeping spares from going missing

Scupper plugs are small and easy to lose when you pull them for cleaning. A spare set solves that problem. Keep the extra pair in a labeled bag inside your kennel kit or glovebox so you are never stuck with an open drain hole and no plug on a day you need a dry floor. When you reinstall a plug, press it in evenly and check that it sits flush; a plug that is only half-seated can still let water seep past.

The Scupper Extra Plugs for Dash Series are listed as free shipping to the continental US only, so if you are outside that area, factor shipping into your timing. If you are unsure which Dash model you own, the plugs are specified for the Dine N Dash Feeding System and the Dash 3.5 and Dash 5.0 watering systems—check your unit's label before ordering.

Scupper plug quick answers

Do I need scupper plugs if my kennel already has drain holes?

The holes drain water out, but they do not stop water, mud, or debris from coming back in. Plugs let you seal the floor when you want it dry and open it when you need drainage. Keep a set of plugs on hand so you can choose per trip.

Can I leave the scuppers plugged all the time?

You can, but a plugged floor holds any water that lands in it. If the kennel gets rinsed or a bowl tips, pull the plugs to drain it, then dry the interior before storage. Plug for dry use, pull for wash-downs and wet conditions.

How do I know the Scupper Extra Plugs fit my Dash Series kennel?

They are specified for the Dine N Dash Feeding System and the Dash 3.5 and Dash 5.0 watering systems. Check your unit's model label before ordering, since other kennel lines may use a different plug size. Match the plug to your exact Dash model to avoid a loose fit.

Product facts

• Scupper Extra Plugs for Dash Series: Set of 2 blue replacement scupper plugs for the Dine N Dash Feeding System or the Dash Series of watering systems (Dash 3.5 and Dash 5.0). Gives you a spare pair so you can keep one set installed and one set ready when a plug is lost or being cleaned.