The American Beagler Forum

I was recently told that cedar chips will hurt a dogs nose as concerned with scenting.
I have never heard of this until recently.
I was curious if any others here felt that cedar chips are bad for a hunting dog's nose.
I've been using them for years and never noticed it hurting my dogs nose but even if it hurt it a little I will discontinue using them.

Ed

I have heard this before and even spoke with my vet concerning this. According to my DVM although some dogs may have skin sensativity to red cedar and rarely white cedar there is no scientific or medical reason that would cause a dog to loose his ability to scent. However some of us will use any excuse when our potlickers perform poorely.

I was also told this by a good buddie of mine who I trust to
be truthful all the time . I won't use them in the travel box
but do like the chips in the houses at home and spread them
along with lime under the above ground kennels after each
cleaning . I would say the theory is correct as I've experienced
imo the chips having bad affects on chickens when being hauled
(that was in my younger days) .

I'd say that some dogs may have different reactions and it may
not bother your dogs at all . You could always get some fresh
chips and give it a whirl in the field to form your own opinion .
If you do please let us know .

Goodluck ,

This topic is young and i hope it receives a lot of input..
If cedars chips are deemed bad, what about the pine chips-will they hurt the dog's scenting as well?
Wally world sells both and the pine chips are a buck cheaper.

Cedar chips have tiny slivers that can be in hailed where the pine shavings don't. Take your bare hands and stick them in the cedar chips and see how many slivers you get well imagine a dog sniffing the stuff... Not only do the slivers get into the lungs they get into their eyes, which leads to eye infections.

Cedar smells good, and some say gets rid of bugs but I for one don't want to deal with eye infections and lung problems when I don't have to by not using something, and can find alternative products.

TC, what do you use?

We use pine shavings or clean straw in the kennel, and in the dog boxes we use blankets for transport.

I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CEDAR ,NO EYE IN FECTIONS OR ANYTHING I DONT USE THEM FOR YOUNG PUPS

There is a Difference in red Cedar Shavings and red Cedar Chips!! the Shavings Seem to put out a lot more DUST than the Chips this is where the problem is in the Dust Young Dogs Can ingest or inhale the Dust and get Sinus infections and Eye infections Ect.
have not seen as many problems with older Dogs and the Chips I just Will not use the shavings at All.
We use pine Shavings or Alder the Soft Wood Type in the kennels...
Why Do you think NIOSH and OSHA put warning labels on red Ceder Wood?
inhalation of the dust can cause lung and Sinus problems in Humans also...
use what yall want was just giving our opinion based on Experience!!!!
(vet bills For young pups and Hounds for Various infections Caused by the Dust)

jt&z's dad wrote:I have heard this before and even spoke with my vet concerning this. According to my DVM although some dogs may have skin sensativity to red cedar and rarely white cedar there is no scientific or medical reason that would cause a dog to loose his ability to scent. However some of us will use any excuse when our potlickers perform poorely.

I Agree there is no medical Data that Says that they will loose thier ability to Scent!!!
But i do know that When i have a Sinus infection I Caint Smell things as Well!!!!!!

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelin ... index.html

http://www.trifl.org/cedar.shtml

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/guineapi ... avings.htm

Cedar and pine became popular for pet bedding material because they are good at controlling odor and have some natural insecticidal properties (they kill or repel bugs, especially cedar). These softwood shavings smell nice due to the volatile compounds (e.g. aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols) that are given off. Unfortunately these compounds have been implicated as a potential health risk, especially with regards to respiratory problems (asthma, inflammation, allergic responses) and changes in the liver.

Do the research And decide for yourself.
TC

TC, thanks for the info.

I think I am switching to pine shaving/chips they sell at wally world. I suppose it would be safe to sprinkle the cedar out in the kennel ground but not in the box? They do keep the smell nice and the bugs out.

I have used them in the dog box, and in the dog house.
Anymore I keep straw in the box because I worry about the dust from the cedar chips when traveling in warm weather.
It never hurt my dogs scenting ability, or my neighbor's (he doesn't use cedar chips in the dog boxes).

If it did hurt their ability, maybe I need to quit using it and I have the best dogs in the world

I use the chips, and a friend gave me a bag of planer chips of popal when he made some new cabinet doors. Seemed to work good and not dusty. I wouldn't use the shavings at all. Great info TC... I have also learned on this board that using any type of chips or shavings is a complete NO NO when pups are in the pen. Again great info on here.

I have dirt floor pens and get planer shavings from some local wood workers. The planer shavings are light and make the pens easier to clean. Cyprus is the best, but cherry, oak, and walnut work fine. If the bags are saw dust I wont use them. I just used some pine shavings and it had a strong smell, but only for about 1 day. It makes good mulch around azaleas after use.

I HAVE USE CEADER IN THE SUMMER FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLUMS BUT I CHANGE THEM WHEN THEY START TO BREAK DOWN I THINK THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTAIN THING TO DO WHEN USING CEADER CHIPS