Dog Bedding

[jenptcfan]

My dogs stay inside with me in the evenings (and sleep inside), but during the day, I let them out in the back yard to play and get fresh air. Before anyone goes crazy thinking that I'm leaving my dogs outside to freeze to death during the day, winter is pretty mild here. The average temp might be about 40 degrees (although it was 70 degrees this weekend...go figure!). Anyway, the dogs won't get in their doghouse unless there's a blanket in it. No problem, I put blankets out for them. The only issue is that they think it's fun to remove the blanket and drag it all over the yard...thus they have no blanket in the dog house anymore.

Does anyone have any suggestions on a bedding material that they can't remove? I've tried little carpet pieces, but they tend to chew on those and unravel them all over the yard instead of letting them be.

I've thought about hay as a possibility. I'm sure they would drag some of it out, but probably couldn't remove all of it.

If anyone has found a good solution to this, I'd like to hear about it.

 

[Sabina41]

Cedar chips can work too, plus your doggie will smell nice afterwards. You also might be able to go to a farm supply store and get stall mat (for horses) cut into the shape of the floor of the dog house. It's not as plush as a bed, but it would still give them padding and stay inside the house. If you look around too, some companies make beds and padding in the shape of house. Hope this helps!

-Ashley

 

[jenptcfan]

Cedar chips can work too, plus your doggie will smell nice afterwards. You also might be able to go to a farm supply store and get stall mat (for horses) cut into the shape of the floor of the dog house. It's not as plush as a bed, but it would still give them padding and stay inside the house. If you look around too, some companies make beds and padding in the shape of house. Hope this helps!

-Ashley

I think I read an article one time about cedar either repelling fleas and ticks. If so, that might be a good option. We haven't had a problem with either in a long time, but we do get random infestations some times. We have pets in nearly every backyard surrounding ours, so you never know what kind of pesky critters might make their way to our yard.

Only one thing though...aren't cedar chips (I'm thinking the mulch kind) treated with some kind of preservative? If so, would that make them sick if they decide to chew on it?

 

[jenptcfan]

LOL oh duh!

They make cedar bedding for bunnies and hamsters and stuff. I'm sure I could use that and it would be safe in case they ate some of it.

 

[Sabina41]

LOL oh duh!

They make cedar bedding for bunnies and hamsters and stuff. I'm sure I could use that and it would be safe in case they ate some of it.

Actually, you should NEVER use cedar bedding for either of those animals you listed because they can and often do have severe skin reactions to cedar. a family brought a hamster into the animal hospital where I work last year and it's skin looked like it had been burned with acid - they were using cedar chips for bedding. Pine is not so great either, but not so bad as cedar. Recycled paper or newspaper type bedding is best. I am not sure, though, if the reaction is from the cedar, or if cedar is treated and that's what they are allergic to. You may just be able to google "cedar bedding" and get some answers.

 

[jenptcfan]

Actually, you should NEVER use cedar bedding for either of those animals you listed because they can and often do have severe skin reactions to cedar. a family brought a hamster into the animal hospital where I work last year and it's skin looked like it had been burned with acid - they were using cedar chips for bedding. Pine is best for them. I am not sure, though, if the reaction is from the cedar, or if cedar is treated and that's what they are allergic to. You may just be able to google "cedar bedding" and get some answers.

But it would be fine for my dogs, right?

 

[Sabina41]

My parents have used it for our dogs before and never had any problems. It's just hamsters, gerbils and such that I KNOW have real issues with cedar.

 

[jenptcfan]

I'll pick some up for them and give it a try. I actually went to petsmart today at lunch (It's very near my place of employment) to see if they had any (and they did), but I figure that it's cheaper at wal mart so I'll buy it there. I did walk out with a bunch of Christmas presents for the girls though. I'm such a sucker!

 

[Sabina41]

http://www.vetinfo.com/dogmaint.html
There's a blurb on cedar bedding on this site.

 

[awashinlove]

But it would be fine for my dogs, right?

Sabina is right on.

Cedar isn't fine for you, let alone animals. Your vet should be able to explain it all in depth for you, and even provide visuals on what the acids in cedar slowly do to lungs. Long-term exposure causes a wide-range of respiratory distress and some believe it's even linked to oral cancer. It's amazing people still get away with selling it. The fact that it's still being sold is one of the biggest mysteries in the pet industry, but it will illustrate for you who cares about animals, and who just wants to make some cash. Cedar sells because it kills and repels insects, but the very thing that destroys bugs slowly destroys mammals. The studies done with plicatic acids are some of the most clear out there and extensively looked at in veterinary programs, so I'd honestly question vetinfo.com's vet. You can't be a vet and only have heard of it in guinea pigs.

Is there any way you can staple the blankets inside the dog house with a nail gun? Or perhaps buy those doggie pads and stake them into the ground?

 

[Dagna]

Awash is correct. Cedar, and Pine as well, is not good for anyone. The chemicals in both of them (I believe they are called phenols and hydrocarbons) are what gives the scent and also repel bugs. However, they also cause long-term respiratory damage to any animal exposed to it and also humans. I wouldn't put it anywhere near my pets or myself. If you really would rather use wood chips, get Aspen. It's the safest wood chip available at pet stores.

Your best bet though is hay, replaced fairly often. A feed store would be the cheapest place to buy it unless you happen to know a farmer. I also like Awash's idea of stapling the pads in place. May not last forever, but it's safer than ceder.

 

[jenptcfan]

I think I'll just buy some straw. There's a farmer's co-op just down the road from my work and they sell it pretty cheap. It should serve the purpose and doesn't sound as dangerous as some of the other materials.

I really appreciate everyone's input.