Puppy pen lining - Page 1

I have an outdoor area outside the whelping box for puppies once they are old enough. Last litter I used pine shavings which I didn't really care for. I know some have used pea gravel, but I'd be too concerned of them ingesting it as well as rubber mulch. I was considering using eucalyptus mulch or chips. I've read the eucalyptus plant is toxic to dogs, but the oil is used for various purposes in regards to animals. Has anyone used this? Is it safe to use? If not, what do you use? Angela

Angela, I have used several things. The pine chips are okay, but if they are full of resin the vapours may irritate the puppys' eyes. I purchase softwood chips (which usually contain mostly pine), then open the sack and let it "air out" for a year or so before I use it. Don't use cedar shavings for young puppies because the resin vapour can be very strong. The cedar does not seem to bother older puppies and dogs, and it does help keep crawling parasites away. I agree that the wood chips are messy, but they do absorb urine to some degree and keep it away from the puppies' bellies. The puppies will ingest a bit so you have to be careful with it as well. The gravel is okay, as long as they don't eat any large pieces. But if it is on top of soil, it will allow worm eggs to come to the surface and stay-you'll be deworming puppies on a very regular basis. I have seen puppies placed in runs that have a floor made of metal screen. That is not a bad idea because the urine passes through and the turds dry quickly for easy removal. Our weaned puppies stay in a long sheltered run on a seasoned wood floor surface. We do spread softwood chips and rake them on a daily basis. I move them to another run when we clean and bleach the floor and let it "air out" for several days before I let them return. Anyway you do it, there is always some mess. Bob-O

I've used all kinds of things at one time or another. I wouldn't use pea gravel again. For one thing, puppies can ingest it, and it's a very heavy mess to have to deal with. Years ago I used to load my garbage cans down with the messy stuff and the garbage man finally quit refusing to pick it up. Each can weighed about 100 pounds. Now I use "playground chips", the same kind you usually see under swings, etc. They are a little larger, and don't have that strong irritating odor, that water the dogs eyes, etc. like cedar chips do. dennis

Try Coastal Hay. It is warm, cozy, easy to clean up and the Coastal variety repels fleas and ticks. There is always some hay in pups poop, but it is not harmful to them. Rake out the old hay regularly and put fresh hay. It smells good too.

Have to look for the playground chips. I've tried using Hay in my vegetable garden, here in Florida the only thing it does is attract crickets, ugh. Might have to try the eucalyptus to see, I can always rake it out if they have the problems with the eyes running like with pine or cedar. Was thinking the eucalyptus since it's supposed to keep out fleas, etc just wanted to see if anyone else had tried it yet. Thanks for the ideas!