Dansgrizz
06-02-2009, 04:57 PM
A dogs bedding is important. It must be changed frequently depending on what kind of bedding you use.
For outdoor dog houses or yards straw can be used. Wheat straw is a favorite among dog owners because of its insulative properties and its durablity. Coastal Bermuda works but many dogs are tempted to eat it, your dogs stools will end up resembling rope. Dogs can sleep in all kinds of grasses and leaves and be quite happy. Many of the break down quickly and make more of a mess than a bed, specifically johnson and sudan grass. If using grasses or straws for your bedding make sure to rid of it of burs, thistles, foxtails, insects, spiders, scorpions, etc. If you leave your bedding in your dog house too long it could become home to other unwanted pests. Wood chips make an excellent bedding but can cause problems if not changed frequently such as skin problems, eye irritation, and fungus growing on the chips. For puppies newspaper or even better, shredded newspaper, makes great bedding materials. It is sterile and cheap.
For indoor dogs in and out of the crate there are several more options for bedding. You might not want to scatter straw or grass all over your living room ;) . For inside of dogs crates you can use anything that is easily washable such as blankets, towels, carpet squares, and the easily available dog beds at your local pet store.
A word on dog beds. Dog beds are usually $10-$50 but can cost upwards of $300. Being that we own pit bulls on this site the most durable and long lasting beds are worth our money and attention. Beds filled with polyester start out extremely fluffy and comfortbale after about a week (wash time) they seem to mat down and lose there comfort. After a quick wash they seem to perk right up for another day or two but never get there fluff back. Choosing a dog bed with a removable slip cover is advisable so you can wash it easily, for puppies a water resistant slip cover is nice or simply putting the bed inside a large trash bag before putting the slip cover on works fine. Dogs are curious and mouth and naturally want to explore there zippers and how they work. Finding a dog bed with a covered zipper and one that has no "zipper handle" on it is convenient you can always use a paper clip to open up and get inside. All things considered the best beds i have found are memory foam dog beds. They encompass all the qualities i like and best of all are guarenteed indestructable. If you dogs chews one of these. They will send you a new one free of charge, and YES you do keep to keep the old one ;) .
Memory Foam Dog Nest
http://www.orvis.com/store/productchoice.aspx?pf_id=0H70&dir_id=1633&group_id=1634&cat_id=5996&subcat_id=7407
Outdoor memory foam dog nest (cheaper)
http://www.orvis.com/store/productchoice.aspx?pf_id=9C03&dir_id=1633&group_id=1634&cat_id=5996&subcat_id=7407
hope this was helpful... any other ideas for bedding please contribute. A dogs rest is just as important to its health as his water, food, and work.
For outdoor dog houses or yards straw can be used. Wheat straw is a favorite among dog owners because of its insulative properties and its durablity. Coastal Bermuda works but many dogs are tempted to eat it, your dogs stools will end up resembling rope. Dogs can sleep in all kinds of grasses and leaves and be quite happy. Many of the break down quickly and make more of a mess than a bed, specifically johnson and sudan grass. If using grasses or straws for your bedding make sure to rid of it of burs, thistles, foxtails, insects, spiders, scorpions, etc. If you leave your bedding in your dog house too long it could become home to other unwanted pests. Wood chips make an excellent bedding but can cause problems if not changed frequently such as skin problems, eye irritation, and fungus growing on the chips. For puppies newspaper or even better, shredded newspaper, makes great bedding materials. It is sterile and cheap.
For indoor dogs in and out of the crate there are several more options for bedding. You might not want to scatter straw or grass all over your living room ;) . For inside of dogs crates you can use anything that is easily washable such as blankets, towels, carpet squares, and the easily available dog beds at your local pet store.
A word on dog beds. Dog beds are usually $10-$50 but can cost upwards of $300. Being that we own pit bulls on this site the most durable and long lasting beds are worth our money and attention. Beds filled with polyester start out extremely fluffy and comfortbale after about a week (wash time) they seem to mat down and lose there comfort. After a quick wash they seem to perk right up for another day or two but never get there fluff back. Choosing a dog bed with a removable slip cover is advisable so you can wash it easily, for puppies a water resistant slip cover is nice or simply putting the bed inside a large trash bag before putting the slip cover on works fine. Dogs are curious and mouth and naturally want to explore there zippers and how they work. Finding a dog bed with a covered zipper and one that has no "zipper handle" on it is convenient you can always use a paper clip to open up and get inside. All things considered the best beds i have found are memory foam dog beds. They encompass all the qualities i like and best of all are guarenteed indestructable. If you dogs chews one of these. They will send you a new one free of charge, and YES you do keep to keep the old one ;) .
Memory Foam Dog Nest
http://www.orvis.com/store/productchoice.aspx?pf_id=0H70&dir_id=1633&group_id=1634&cat_id=5996&subcat_id=7407
Outdoor memory foam dog nest (cheaper)
http://www.orvis.com/store/productchoice.aspx?pf_id=9C03&dir_id=1633&group_id=1634&cat_id=5996&subcat_id=7407
hope this was helpful... any other ideas for bedding please contribute. A dogs rest is just as important to its health as his water, food, and work.