Dog bedding

[g'eye pilot]

Can I get a shout out as to what folks feel is the best/ideal dog bedding? I am an experienced dog owner/trainer, and I have a 9 month old lab. Kennel is in the garage, which is insulated but not heated. With past dogs, I've used everything from clean straw to cedar beds, with mixed results - depending on the dog. The pup is a moderate chewer. Just wondering what has worked well for others, especially with young dogs??? Thanks for your suggestion(s)!

[Todd Caswell]

Haven't had an outside dog for awhile but last time we used cedar shavings from lion country. I liked it better than straw or hay, less dusty and the dogs smelled good.

[MuleShack]

I'm kinda leaning to the cedar chips as well. My dogs stay in the house over night, but go in the garage kennel while we are gone during the day. We have pads out there and the younger GSP has started to shred them. Would be cheaper to just use the chips, she cant shred them anymore and it would still be warm to lay on.

[mainbutter]

I know very little about the implications of using cedar shavings for dogs, but I can tell you for various other animals there are studies that show the "phenols" from cedar are harmful. It smells nice, but the vapors from the oils are toxic, just something to think about if you're using a large amount in a small area with little ventilation.

Most of the studies I know of involved small mammals or chicken coops, not large mammals, and most of the anecdotal information involves reptiles, all which tend to have a lot of bedding in a small confined area typically with little ventilation.

[g'eye pilot]

A lot of people do use cedar... But research shows it is Technically not a good "contact" bedding. It is much better if the cedar chips are contained in a bag or liner.

[fivebucks]

I use marsh hay and it works good for us. Most nurserys have it. I like it better than straw since it doesn't splinter up like straw can.