Cold weather kennel bedding - Page 2

Unfortunately I don't have the option of bringing them all inside. I should be getting my dog building set up fairly soon, but until then I'll have to make do.

Thank you for the suggestions!

Melissa

interesting!  The good thing is that during the cold months your dogs will grow more hair.  You'll find out on their shedding after the winter! 
Did one of those "can't believe a company is asking us to do research on these things" study some years back on insulation factors/durability/cleanliness of animal bedding for horses.  Shredded newpaper was one of the tops.  Bad thing about shredded newspaper is the ink will slightly rub off, it breaks down faster than straw so you replace it more frequently.
Look for any product that is soft and will not be shredded so finely to get into eyes, inhaled or sharp to poke such as pine needles.
All natural products need to be removed /discarded regularly as all natural products will allow bacterial growth as they become damp.  Wood shavings is probably one of the best for bacteria.   You will be able to tell that the product is breaking down and needs to be cleaned out and replaced.  
 Red Cedar is not recommended for dogs.
 We tested:  chopped corn cobs,  rice hulls (dusty), peanut hulls (dusty), shredded paper (the product that was NOT finely shredded was the winner, the finely shredded product was too dusty), wood shavings being pine- we liked the type that was flaked rather than mulch style or fine chips, wood pellets (this was pretty cool) hay and straw.   Both hay and staw I have used at my farm because I have it readily available.  Dogs seem to like it best  because they can move it into nests.   I prefer straw over hay as long as the hay does not have seed heads which of course means small seeds that can be inhaled or create dust. 
And price shop.  Many of these products work well and hopefully don't cost an arm and a leg to use. 
Good luck
Nancy Rhynard
www.westwoodkennels.com

I use Straw for bedding in the Winter at least for Goran, This Morning i put Straw in Gorans Box and Izzy the Pups Box
Goran was okay with his.
 Izzy was eating it and pulled it out of the Box into the pen so that will not work with her so it was cleaned out and she will make do with just the wood Floor, nothing else can be put in the Box a blanket will not last two minutes so she will have to keep herself warm I think we mess too much with the Dogs, They are double coated so can stand the weather providing the Box is draught proof Mine has double skinned walls and Floor so so should be okay
Steve1

Too funny Steve! I can just picture littly Izzy having a blast with the bedding. Thank you, I needed a chuckle.

I know their coats do get thicker when they are outdoors and in cool weather and I was really more concerned with the Malis being they have a short coat with undercoat.


Very interesting about the research Nancy!! I will deffinately keep this in mind!.

Melissa

I like to line the bottom of thier house with a huge thick layer of news paper.....this feels like it takes FOREVER!!!!! and then I put straw in.  Part of the difference in straw and hay is that hay is just a grass type and usually more expensive and stray ( I get wheat straw) is the stem of a grain plant and that stem is hollow.  The hollow stem insulates and keeps warm air longer.  I add new straw to my dogs kennels every day at feeding time.....I also put warm water on their kibble in the winter.....just for something warm in their bellies.  Anyway, add new straw daily and stack it tall in their houses/kennels (fluff it up and pack the house/kennel till it looks about 2/3rds full....you will think there isn't room in there for them!)  they will get in there and make a big nest and be happy and warm.  I completely strip and remove the straw once a week and put in fresh!

The newspaper thing is sooo true about it's warmth, that's why you always see bums on the park bench wrapped in newspaper, LOL!

Vickie
www.PowerHausKennels.com

The newspaper thing is sooo true about it's warmth, that's why you always see bums on the park bench wrapped in newspaper, LOL

Yep, They know what works that and cardboard boxes! 

Melissa, does it even snow where you are? 

My first hard winter with dogs outside in outdoor kennels was a fiasco on my part.  I had insulated dog boxes with baffle doors to hold in heat and keep wind out, packed with straw.  Fed all the dogs 2x a day, warm food, extra fat.  Worried about them and would check them late at night.  DARN dogs would be standing on top of the boxes barking and being frisky.  Go figure.  (we're all in an indoor building now, I got tired of those night checks!)

N

 

Nancy,

It does snow here occasionally, the last being in March. The dogs may not be cold but it's more for my piece of mind to make sure they are comfortable. I believe that if they were cold they would not be out in the snow kicking up their heels and burying their heads in the snow! Lol.

Steve,

I always get a kick out of your updates. Izzy is a fine pup and quite the mischief maker!

Melissa

i use its like a kitchen roll paper of 10 inch strips tightly packed then fluff it up simular to what hamsters use but on a bigger scale this also absorbs wetness from  coats  after mine have been in rain then i just change it if it damp nice warm fluffy bed
jeanette