Using wooden flooring can help you use less air conditioning if you live in a cold climate than other types of flooring.
It keeps the dog from contracting the cold. Additionally, lying on it is quite soft and comfy.
Wood chips
Wood chips may seem uncomplicated, but they make excellent outdoor dog bedding. Wood chips not only offer your dog support and padding, but they can also keep their dog house warm during cooler months.
There are risks involved in using wood chips as your dog’s bedding. Use dog-friendly wood, such as pine or cedar, and make sure the pieces are not too sharp. The best course of action might be to find an alternative if your dog has a tendency to consume little objects, particularly wood.
Straw
Hay and straw are other great materials to use as dog bedding, particularly in dog houses. Due to their softness, these materials provide a ton of insulation throughout the fall and winter.
Straw’s propensity to draw fleas into a dog house is one of its main drawbacks. Hay and straw, regrettably, are excellent habitats for fleas and other parasites to breed. While it’s unlikely that your own outside dog bedding will have this issue, it is a possibility.
Old bedding/Carpeting
Your dog doesn’t really care what it looks like as long as it is comfy. Any old blankets, rugs, carpeting, or linens that you have sitting around will make fantastic outdoor dog beds.
Going out and getting some may not be worth the bother if you don’t already have any of these supplies. Additionally, some carpeting and rugs might not be suitable for chewers.
Traditional dog beds
Your dog may like the rough and tumble outdoors, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t appreciate a bed from the pet store. In fact, a lot of beds are made expressly for usage outside.
Look for fabrics marketed as waterproof or weather-resistant when buying a new dog bed. Compared to soft, plush beds, these materials will hold up to rain and other weather conditions far better.
Is cedar chip bedding suitable for dogs?
Over the years, many various materials have been utilized as dog bedding, but some have shown to be more effective than others. Some of the tried-and-true resources include:
Linens
Your dog can have a basic and functional bed made out of a decent blanket, sheet, or towel. In addition to providing some softness, linens don’t make as much of a mess as particle beddings (like wood chips) or readily harbor insects.
You don’t want to use your favorite duvet as your dog’s bedding since she will eventually destroy it rather badly. Instead, look for a sturdy blanket that is suitable for dogs that you won’t mind discarding after using it for a while (or years). To keep the blanket as fresh as possible and to help prevent odors from accumulating, try washing it occasionally.
Remember that blankets can act as hiding places for spiders, snakes, and other creepy crawlies; therefore, it is advisable to remove it and aggressively shake it once or twice a week to prevent these types of issues. Additionally, check the blanket frequently to make sure your dog hasn’t torn the seams apart or gnawed through the fabric. Dogs who ingest the filler substance, even unintentionally, may experience health issues.
Rugs
Your dog might have a really comfortable bed made out of a soft rug. Rugs provide many of the same advantages as linens do, plus they frequently have a rubberized back that helps to keep them from sliding around and protects them from dampness. Rugs aren’t as suitable for severely cold weather because your dog can’t easily crumple them up like she can a blanket.
Choose a rug with a long/high pile (length individual fibers) if your dog is well-behaved and doesn’t like to gnaw on items as this will increase comfort and warmth. To prevent chewers from tearing the threads out, chewers should be given beds with short heaps.
You could just use a regular rug (like the kind you’d use inside your bathroom or in front of your entrance), but an indoor-outdoor rug that is made to withstand the elements will last longer.
Dog Beds
A dog bed is one of the more expensive solutions, but it is also far and away the best option for keeping your dog warm and happy inside your home.
Your dog will appreciate the support offered by a sturdy orthopedic mattress (those who aren’t put off by the price should consider the Big Barker) or the warmth offered by a heated winter bed, which is available in electric or self-warming models.
There are undoubtedly some good bed options, but not many dog beds are made expressly for use outside, and cheap beds may quickly deteriorate if exposed to the weather for an extended period of time.
If you want your dog to use the bed for several winters, make sure to get a sturdy one—cheap bedding won’t do. For the fabric’s protection, you could also want to spend money on a waterproof cover.
Wood Chips
Another risk-free choice for the majority of dogs is wood chips, particularly those made of cedar or pine. The insect-repelling properties of cedar and pine chips will help keep fleas and other bugs from setting up shop in your dog’s home, and they also offer your dog excellent insulation and comfort.
Pine and cedar chips provide a pleasant aroma as well. Keep a watch out for symptoms of lung or nose discomfort, such as sneezing, as the same volatiles that give off the fragrant scent may irritate dogs with delicate respiratory systems or noses.
Be aware that some cedar and pine beddings contain tiny wood shavings, while others contain small blocks or chunks of wood. The shavings are a superior choice since they give your dog considerably more comfort—nobody wants to lay on a pile of hardwood pieces.
Keep in mind that wood shavings should never be used with females who are pregnant or nursing, or in dog houses where there are puppies. Although rarely an issue for adults, wood shavings can contain bacteria that can seriously illen puppies.
What can you put inside a dog home to keep warm?
Since the temperature of your dog’s body is always between 101 and 102 degrees, one of the greatest ways to heat his home is by catching and trapping the heat that is radiated from your dog. A blanket functions in exactly the same way.
Although these methods aren’t literally “heating your dog’s house,” they are nevertheless useful for obtaining our ultimate aim of a warm and comfortable canine.
Patching Holes
First things first: Seal off any openings in your dog’s home that aren’t necessary, like vent grates, latches, or cord ports.
Although you must match the material to the application, wood or plastic sheeting are some of the greatest options. Simply be sure that nothing you use is hazardous.
Insulate the House
Your dog’s house will stay much warmer with some simple insulation. The best option for your dog’s home is definitely a foil-backed foam board because it is simple to install and quite effective.
Use it inside the walls of your dog’s enclosure if you don’t want them to chew it up, or cover the panels with a “fake wall” to prevent access to the boards.
You might also think about including an insulated crate cover if your dog uses a crate within the dog house to offer more warmth to the crate area.
Add a Bedding
It’s crucial to insulate your dog from below because the earth beneath their home can get rather cold.
Short version of what we’ve previously stated on the best beddings to use in your dog’s home: An outside bed is still your best option, but pine and cedar shavings make for a respectable substitute. Just make sure to avoid pine and straw.
Clothe Your Dog
Some dogs shouldn’t be trusted to wear clothing because they’ll just take it off, chew it up, and then leave the carcass at your feet.
But dog winter coats—which some dogs don’t mind at all—are possibly the classiest way to keep your little wagger toasty. Always give them a shot. Just watch them the first couple of times you put clothes on them.
Add a Door
The front door is where most of the heat your dog generates in his home exits, therefore install a door flap (or other dog-accessible door) on his home as soon as possible. Additionally, while you’re at it, check to see that your dog’s door isn’t pointed in the direction of the predominant winds.
Stuff the House
Although you want to give your dog a home that is spacious enough, extra room will only help to keep the temperature on the lower side. This is ideal if you want to provide a cool spot for your dog to sleep in the summer, but it is the exact opposite of what you want for a warm and welcoming winter house.
There aren’t any simple plug-and-play solutions for shrinking the size of your dog’s home, but you may try using items like dog blankets, sealed water bottles, or large pillows to help. Note that this reduction in size will make the house more den-like, which your dog might also love.
Raise the Floor
Raising the house off the ground might help it stay warmer, just like providing bedding might.
It’s not precisely clear-cut whether this is a good strategy to increase the temperature of your dog’s home; you’ll need to consider a number of factors.
It makes sense to elevate the dog home off the ground if the earth loses heat from it more quickly than the air around it. However, if the air is extremely chilly, the earth might act as a wonderful, warm surface.
Call your energy or gas provider if you’re unsure whether this is a good plan for your region’s environment; they should be able to point you in the proper path.
Increase the Thermal Mass
The value and magic of thermal mass are obvious to everyone who has ever lain on a warm rock at dusk. A rock transmits heat slowly, holds heat well, and heats up relatively slowly, so it keeps the region around it warmer and more thermally stable.
You don’t need to utilize rocks to use this technique in your dog’s home. Although water is an excellent thermal mass medium, cinder blocks and bricks can also be used. Whatever is safe and dense will.
Do not misunderstand: Your dog’s house won’t become a sauna by throwing a large rock inside of it. However, it will aid in keeping any heat you provide in place. Consider it as an extra tactic; on its own, it won’t be very effective.
What kind of bedding keeps dogs warm the best?
Whether they reside indoors or outdoors, older dogs often require softer bedding if they start to experience age-related health problems. For instance, arthritis discomfort typically gets worse in cold weather, so older dogs with this illness require additional support and insulation. For a large dog, a length of warm, malleable foam rubber works as a mattress, while chips of foam rubber provide a comfortable cushion for little dogs. Put a soft blanket, duvet, or sanitary wool cover over the mattress or cushion.
In the cold, how can I keep my outdoor dog warm?
When it gets below freezing, add more insulation to your bed. Put a foil space or emergency blanket underneath your dog’s bed. Because the Mylar material reflects the body heat back to the dog and bed, the bed becomes self-heating. Bubble wrap works well, but it must be tucked in to prevent tearing by a puppy or a dog who likes to chew on beds. When bedding is nibbled on or damaged, replace it.
Does cedar benefit canines?
Many associate the fragrant scent of cedar with feelings of cleanliness and freshness. For example, pet shampoos, sprays, and cleaning products all make use of cedar oil. When cedar chips are used as bedding or as filler in a cloth pet bed, allergic symptoms may develop. If your dog is sensitive to cedar, he can become unwell from either direct touch with it or from breathing in its odors.
- groin, anus, legs, armpits, face, and ears: licking and scratching
- Angry skin that can appear red and scaly
- smelly and oily skin
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- discomfort or an ear infection
- coughing and wheezing
- sniffling and nasal discharge
- Nausea
- Lethargy
- Anorexia (loss of appetite)
- Fever
Many owners use cedar shavings and chips as bedding in dog cages and houses. By using a dog bed covered in cedar chips, dogs might also be exposed to the scent of the shavings. Pplicatic acid, phenols, and oils are present in cedar. Small animals, dogs, and people who work in areas with lots of cedar may experience allergic reactions to any one of these chemicals (lumber mill, wood shops). It has been found to be more irritating the smaller the shaving blade.
Canines be harmed by cedar chips?
According to the ASPCA, while eating cedar mulch won’t cause your dog any lasting harm, it might upset his stomach and, if consumed in large enough quantities, cause vomiting. Drooling, loss of appetite, and, in severe cases, “minor central nervous system depression” are further signs of cedar mulch intake. The same is true for mulch formed from related trees like fir, pine, and spruce. Take your dog and a portion of the cedar mulch to your neighborhood vet as soon as you can if you believe your dog became ill after consuming the mulch. Mulch can also cause choking in dogs, so keep them away from it as well. Last but not least, check to see that your cedar mulch combination does not contain fibers from coconut bean shells, which are routinely added to mulch mixtures and are far more harmful to dogs.
Is dog-safe cedar mulch available?
One kind of mulch is poisonous to dogs and potentially harmful for them to ingest, but Gaston doesn’t sell it.
Because it shares some of the same ingredients as chocolate, cocoa bean mulch, a byproduct of the chocolate industry, is beloved for its color and pleasant aroma but can be hazardous to dogs. Consider replacing your cocoa bean mulch with something safer for your dogs, such pine or cypress mulch, by being conscious of what is in your gardens.
Why Do Dogs Eat Mulch?
Dogs are naturally curious creatures who enjoy chewing on things. They enjoy discovery and experimenting, therefore it’s likely that they may eventually gnaw on the mulch in your garden.
For your dog, any mulch made of wood is safe. The three most popular types of mulch are probably pine, cedar, and cypress, and they should all be dog-friendly. To be entirely safe, take into account these additional issues:
- Mulch that is larger could be a choking hazard Your dog might suffocate if they try to consume one of your mulch’s larger particles. If you’re worried about choking, consider using chips or particles as garden mulch.
- The best is always natural.
- Even while mulch that has been chemically treated might not injure your dog, natural alternatives are always preferable.
- Be cautious with pesticides
- Mulch might retain the chemicals from weed or pest sprays that you use in your gardens. To keep your dog content and healthy, consider going with more natural options.
Mulch can cause allergic reactions in some animals, so watch out for them in your dogs (and cats). An allergic reaction may manifest as symptoms like a rash, increased scratching, irritation, or lumps that are pus-filled. In case you notice allergy symptoms, try to keep track of what your pet has consumed or chewed on.
