Registered: Nov 2009
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 118

I am sure this has been discussed before. I am interested, especially in the colder climates, what bedding you use for your dogs? I am in WV and it gets cold enough for me, and my dogs. But I realize this isn't a drop in the bucket as to the cold temps up north. I like to keep my animals comfortable. Not in the house with me but what is fairly comfortable to the dogs. The dogs track water in on the bedding and I change it often. I use dry hay, just wondering if there is a better alternative. Thanks

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Registered: Nov 2005
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2961

Always use good straw in cold/damp weather. May use cedar chips in summer. Don't really care for hay, unless it is clean, fine grassy type. Take care, Ron.

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Registered: Dec 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 27

I use a good clean marsh hay. It fluffs out well and is very clean. I am particular on where I get my marsh hay and my guy has good clean stuff. Keeps them comfortable in this cold Wisconsin weather. I just make sure i change it often.

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Registered: Sep 2015
Location: Ohio
Posts: 13

Clean grassy hay, as above post mentioned, and change it as needed. It will not break up as quickly as straw and is not as dusty either - boxes smell like fresh hay too.

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Lowell Speakman
Jefferson, Ohio

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Registered: Jul 2014
Location: IOWA
Posts: 958

Cedar chips

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Registered: Jan 2006
Location: WV
Posts: 821

Hey partner, I live in WV too and I found something last year that has worked out very well for me. I have been buying that compressed straw at Tractor Supply. I comes in a compressed bail wrapped in plastic and weighs about 50 lbs. It's very clean and soft and fluffs up extremely well. One bail last a very long time. It's about $12 a bail and will last as long as 2-3 bails of regular straw. Good luck.... Ron

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Registered: Nov 2015
Location:
Posts: 2941

I bought a heated pad for r old dog. We keep her dog pen in the barn. If we don't keep Dandy in the house this winter; he'll have lots of hay because we make r own. If we made straw, I'd use it instead.

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Registered: May 2006
Location: Livingston, WI
Posts: 100

Some kind of straw. I prefer oat over barley or wheat. Corn fodder would probably be as good.

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Registered: Oct 2008
Location: chokeabitch river, michigan
Posts: 969

marsh grass / swamp grass

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Randal Raper -
RED EAGLE MACK BRED WALKER DOGS

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Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Greenville, Ky
Posts: 4138

I use straw, but more importantly, keep the wind off of them, fed well, well hydrated and in shape. They will be fine.

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Registered: Nov 2011
Location: Windsor, NC
Posts: 290

google the insulated dog house made out of 2 pieces of plywood. Ive thought about making a few of them. I use grass hay cause hollow tube straw seems to give my dogs scratches.

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Registered: Jun 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 890

Straw here with a burlap bag or piece of carpeting draped over door opening...never brought one inside...I think that's harder on em

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Registered: Feb 2007
Location:
Posts: 5863

I USE SUDEX HAY ,ITS A GRADE -A HAY THATS FED MOSTLY TO RACE HORSES ,IT DONT BREAK DOWN AND FLATIN OUT LIKE STRAW I PUT A COUPLE FLAKES OF THAT IN THE DOG BOX THEN A GOOD CLEAN GRASS HAY ON TOP OF IT AFTER LOTS OF USE IT WILL STILL LOOK LIKE A BIG BIRDS NEST ITS GOOD STUFF,I ALSO PUT SOMETHIN OVER THE DOG HOUSE DOOR .

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RON MAGGART FIELDON ILLINOIS
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ALWAYS REMEMBER GOD GAVE US FRIENDS AND COONHOUNDS, " I AM A GREATLY BLESSED",HIGHLY FAVORED" " IMPERFECT BUT FORGIVEN CHILD OF GOD "KEEP YOUR {FAITH IN GOD } FAITH SEES THE INVISIBLE,BELIEVES THE INCREDIBLE,AND RECIEVES THE IMPOSSIBLE. WERE BLESSED !!

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Registered: Aug 2008
Location:
Posts: 319

I gather up pine needles off the ground. Its naturally water proof and last a while. Smells good too.

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Registered: Mar 2013
Location: Rover,Arkansas
Posts: 1130

quote:

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Originally posted by BornAganBeagler
I gather up pine needles off the ground. Its naturally water proof and last a while. Smells good too.

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YOU CAN'T POLISH A TURD !

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Registered: Jan 2016
Location: Central Pa
Posts: 1114

Straw when it's cold. Orchard grass hay when it's really cold. The orchard grass hay is very dense and intertwined together.....hard to even separate a slab of it, makes for a very good insulation in extreme cold and wind, and it lasts without breaking up like straw.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage of grass hay is if it gets wet, it's gonna stay wet. Straw will break up and dry out and you're soon adding fresh warm bedding.

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