Grass hay for bedding?

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by EchoMeadows on 28 November 2007 - 06:11

if you can get Blue Grass Straw.... which is very similar to grass hay, That is the very best !!! couple it with some pine shavings or sawdust even, and your dogs will be toasty warm !! Good Luck.

by ProudShepherdPoppa on 28 November 2007 - 14:11

Most garden supply stores sell straw too if you are set on it.

by Liberalandy on 28 November 2007 - 14:11

I used hay in south fl. I got ticks. never had it before, or since.

by eichenluft on 28 November 2007 - 15:11

straw often has mites in it - and dust, causing itching - if you use real bedding (carpet, blankets etc) then you get a nice place for fleas to live - choose your evil LOL. I haven't ever had problems with ticks in my hay, maybe it depends on the area.

molly

by gsdlvr2 on 29 November 2007 - 01:11

I am surprised at so many responses in favor of the grass hay. I thought ya'll would have all kinds of reasons not to use the hay. (I did) I never even considered hay as good bedding because it holds moisture. We are in a heavy snow area so the dogs will come into the bedding with moisture on them. I was always a fan of straw because it insulates better and I think it is rye straw that is soft but wheat straw is better insulation. Now I have much more to think about. Orchard grass if I can get it is stemmy which as someone pointed out might add to the insulating value. The grass hay I have access to varies from plain grass,timothy mix.orchard grass to mixed hay with clover or alfalfa. We will be in a cold climate this year so ticks shouldn't be a problem from the hay or straw. The dogs wear protection. Any grass hay or straw I get will give them will be clean and not dusty. Mites, I don't know, never thought about that. My straw people,if they do get more, are known for clean, dry not dusty straw. The comment about mites concerns me some. What kind of mites would they be? and how do we kill them? I use frontline. The point about the hay staying inside the dog houses better is appealing. And what do you think about mixing pine or cedar shavings in with the hay?

by CaptMike on 29 November 2007 - 03:11

Aye! Molly be sendin' me some o' those damn Mites from that grass hay she be usin'. Me be itchin' and scratchin' all over Aye!

by eichenluft on 29 November 2007 - 04:11

mites are microscopic and dogs all have them on their bodies - the ones who are bothered are the ones with low immune systems or allergic dogs. I've used nice clean fluffy straw in the past as well, and never had any problem with it - it's easier to spread too - except that it would all end up outside th dog houses and providing nice bedding for the outside pen, while the dog was in a bare doghouse. The hay stays in there better, for sure. I dont' live in Alaska so I dont' really care if it provides a little more warmth or not - the hay provides a comfortable dry bed and that's what I want for the dogs. They come inside at night anyway. Hay is less dusty for sure. Mixing pine or cedar shavings - sure - the dust-factor would be increased though, and itchies might happen - cedar shavings mixed in will keep out the bugs though - natural flea, tick and maybe even mite! repellant (not sure about the mites) - and smells really good too. Expensive though to keep replenishing.

molly

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