The American Beagler Forum

Is it a good idea or not to use straw in the Kennel floor during the winter months?

We use cedar chips year round.

I have been using straw and have not had any problems.

Last winter, I had a female that was eatin the straw in her house. I didn't know she was. She got a massive belly ache with it, You could tell she was trying to poop it out but couldn't. I took her to the vet, who gave her an enema, & then we found out what she was doing. I gave her some Laxitone, (for hairballs for cats. & mineral oil.) I've had dogs for years & this is the first time I've had this problem. I'd like to find another type of bedding I could use for her. Ane suggestions?

In the fall I rake up bags of leaves and use them for the dogs. When the leaves break down too much, I just add more. I've been doing this for the last 4 or 5 years and had not had any problems.

In the southern states they can buy bales of pine needles. I wish I could find this in Michigan. My personal feeling is when you buy straw its probably had little critters in it (like mice) and it brings fleas. You can sometimes find swamp grass in bales in Michigan which is supposed to be better insulation than straw, but I imagine it has the same flea problem.

i use hay. Strw in hollow inside. I also put sevens dust in with the hay even in the winter months.

I used to use straw but no matter what I did there were two females that would pee in it every time. I would change it constantly and when I put new in they would pee again, I finally gave up on straw. I'm not sure why they do this because they won't do it in my dog box even if they are filled with straw and they won't do it in their kennel boxes unless there is straw bedding.

Dixiedog, I have two females that will pee and crap in their dog houses if I put straw in them and I can't figure out why but if i take the bedding out they won't do it. I am thinking about putting some other type bedding in them to see if they will do it then because it is winter time and they need some type bedding.