Straw bedding

[Marmot]

Is there any concern if I use straw as bedding for my lab during the winter? It will be changed regularly. One of my neighbors said straw causes "ear mites". Any comments??

Marmot

[Kidd]

The last dog I kenneled I put cedar in some old sacks and sewed them shut. Dog loved it and he smelled better.

[stayman79]

Cedar chips prevent fleas, lice, mites from making a nest in your dogs bedding whereas hay or straw does not. It does also make them smell a little better. Walmart sells a bag for about $5 and a gunney sack with a zipper for about $3...as long as your dog is not a chewer! You can also put it in loose but it does get spread out as the dog goes in and out. Another company on-line sells long, thin strips of cedar for dog bedding. (no unauthorized links) . They charge about $20 for those who want to spoil their pups with the best!

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FISH ON!!

[This message has been edited by stayman79 (edited 10-07-2004).]

[This message has been edited by LABS4ME (edited 10-08-2004).]

[BBL Resident]

What type of insulation factor does cedar chips provide compared to straw? My dogs are strictly outside kennel dogs and have been using straw for over 10 years.
They both have insulated dog houses (1" Styrofoam in the hardwood walls) that have two chambers.
Any thoughts?

[Perch Jerker]

Be sure to get the grass/marsh grass type hay/straw. Any local feed mill will have what you need. It works great and is inexpensive.

PJ

[Dano2]

Maybe this hasn't been an issue for you folks that use cedar. But a local trainer told me that cedar messes with dogs nose.
I also asked someone at deer creek enterprises (they make dog houses and transportation boxes)
and they said they have heard of this as well.
Anyone else hear of this being a problem?
thanks

[stayman79]

BBL-

I think straw, hay and cedar chips all insulate well, no idea as to actual stats on them though. What kind of dogs do you have? My lab and my brothers chessie have more trouble overheating in their insulated houses outdoors (mine with cedar, his with straw) than getting too cold. Example: last year during that cold stretch I came home for lunch, -10 degrees and there's my lab lying on TOP of his house catching some sun! Bottom line, he had a warm enough coat. Wild animals don't have houses, we just provide them for our dogs to be a little nicer to our pals...and for the shorthaired ones its a must!

That's what I think...

Also, my brothers dog has never had fleas, mites, etc.

[Dano2]

my yellow does the same, but she lays there right on top of the snow. My black on the other hand is abit whimpier, but then again, I think we spoiled her more, as it was our first.

[stayman79]

I think the "cedar smell messing with the hunting dogs nose" is an old wives-tale. My dog still had plenty of nose to find roosters and he sleeps on cedar chips. The cedar chips do smell pretty strong at first but mellow with time.

Any pro's out there disagree? I don't want to limit my dogs sniffer!

[BBL Resident]

Stayman,

I have a 85lb yellow lab who is a very hardy animal as you can tell by his size. As I mentioned, I have used straw forever and have not seen any effects on my dog (lice, etc). I was under the understanding that straw was the best insulator for outdoor dogs.
Hay may be more comfortable, but because straw is hollow it will hold heat better. Booth are about $4.00 a bale.

[stayman79]

BBL- Physically straw should be the best, I think you're right. What are the odds of fleas taking roost in the straw...who knows? Probably preventative like many of the things we do for our pets because we don't want to take the risk. Sometimes I think we are talked into alot of stuff for our pets that might not be necessary. Dad's old dogs and farm dogs rarely get all of the "recommended" vaccines, medications, heated mats, insulated dog houses, pedicures, teeth cleaning, etc. that are recommended and I don't know any dogs that have died without these things. Don't get me wrong, I do most of the stuff I listed for my lab, I just wonder sometimes. Anyone care to share their thoughts?
As long as the dogs are healthy and happy we're doing all right! Now I have to run and take my dogs to his therapeutic massage, buy his power bars and doggie gatorade!! Pheasant opens this week!!!

[Redlantern]

I use straw. Cedar has some oil in it that can cause an allergic reaction to some people and dogs. Change the straw a couple times a winter to keep it dry. Feed the dog a bit more in the winter. Make sure they drink plenty of water.

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Erik Torgerson

[fivebucks]

I use marsh hay. I was told that straw can sometimes splinter up and the dog can get small straw slivers. I don't know if its true but that's what I've been told so its marsh hay for my dog.

[GrouseHunt'R]

Anyone know where I can get 10 bales of straw at around the SW metro?

[mudman]

Feulger in Rosemount off of HWY 3

I picked up 10 bales last week for $28 that will last all winter for my dog.

Funny thing this morning I looked out into the back yard to see how he handled last night and he was fast asleep in his house, got him up for his breakfast and he didnt' like the cold ground this morning HA! looked like a yellow falmingo! so I felt bad and let him in the spare bedroom for the day. I am such a softy

[GrouseHunt'R]

Thanks I found some last night,..$1 a bale picked up 7 and gave him $10! All set.