Materials needed for the winter

It's very easy to make and doesn't cost that much. I use it on all my dogs for food bowls. i just got two that likes to play with there water bowls thats why i made these especially for them.

 

i use cedar and straw for my dogs house .And kind of rotate the dog in out of the house sometimes

 

What kind of straw is everyone using?Me ,I am using pinestraw I got alot of pine trees so its good fresh straw that last.Pinestraw prob not the best option but i been using it a while.

 

Here a good read I got off the net.


By Joe Shown, President of K-9 Kondo

Being in the doghouse doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. But if you aren’t using the right kind of doghouse bedding, it can be.

Many dog owners believe wood shavings make comfortable doghouse bedding. But try sitting in a beanbag chair for 30 minutes. After you’ve moved around a little bit, your butt ends up on the floor, and all of the cushioning effect of the chair’s beads is around you rather than under you. It is the same reason that wood shavings make poor bedding material for your dog. Whatever started out in the doghouse under your dog has now moved to the side of him, rather than providing him comfort and insulation from the cold.

So what is the best dog bedding that provides the comfort and insulation your dog deserves? Many dog owners use wheat straw with the assumption that it is the best doghouse bedding material. They are wrong.

Long-stem grass hay is the best natural type of doghouse bedding that is available in most regions. Some dog owners think that grass hay and straw are the same, but the only thing they really share is that they are both plant material. Straw is the stem of individual wheat plants. It is hollow and, because of its structure, much more brittle than grass hay. Straw breaks down quickly under a dog, creating a pile of straw dust. Indeed, it is better than nothing, but if used, it should be changed every few days.

Conversely, grass hay will retain its structure much longer than straw, creating much less dust. The best grass hay suitable for dog bedding comes from warm season grasses such as Big Bluestem and Indian grass. Cool season grasses such as Smooth Brome and Timothy also work very well. Each one of these varieties makes a very nice nest that will surround the dog, allowing him to hunker down with comfort in the coldest of weather. Straw will do this, too, but for a much shorter time while exposing your dog to far more dust.

One of the many things that I have learned in interacting with dog owners and customers is that they—myself included—do not change their dog’s bedding as often as they should. Too often I have had a dog owner talk to me about changing dog bedding in the spring. I always ask if they would go all winter without changing their bed linen. If doghouse bedding is not changed regularly, it begins to break down, no longer making a cozy nest. It can also be moist from exposure to rain, condensation, or your dog tracking moisture into the doghouse on his feet. Wet doghouse bedding makes for a cold dog. So if you want to keep your dog toasty warm in cold weather, give him clean, dry grass hay on a regular basis. There’s nothing your dog loves better than fresh, clean bedding in his doghouse…well, except for an abundance of your attention!

 

I myself use the straw but I change it regularly to keep them warm during the winter.
IBK

 

If you use regular grass straw u have to change it regularly and I would burn the old because it will mold.I use pinestraw and you havr to really stay on the ball and fluff it and add more.You have to check it every day.But Pinestraw will not mold.But even fresh it breaks down quicker than hay straw.So you have to check it every day and do what needs to be done.Fluff and add.And yes empty out and start all over.And fresh pinestraw I got last alot longer than pinestraw you buy in the bails at feedstores.

 

So its ok to use straw from grass but as I said it willl mold so its like anything else you have to stay on top of it .Make sure your straw is always dry no matter what you choose.If you have a rainy day pour it out and bleach the house and start over fresh.

 

I believe anything you use you must make sure you add or replace the straw regularly. Just make it a regular routine every week to check the bedding.
I hope everyone has started preparing for winter already. Im about done with my winter preparation. All i have to do now is add the straw when the temp starts to drop.
Good luck and keep your dogs warm and healthy.

 

wheat straw is straw, hay is not straw and pine is not straw. here Hay is WAY dustier than wheat straw

 

I was always told growing up that hay is food.straw is bedding and will always believe that..

 

Kaw u may be in fact right.Growing up in the south we have always called pine needles,Pinestraw and all of us here use as bedding.And yes hay is food but so is wheat.So maybe we all right depending on our region.But it seems we have the same concept .

 

I reaaallyyy wanna build one but I have NO idea how, i need a video tutorial or something guys !!

 

What is it you wanna build gotpitt???

 

Get the wood, draw the measurments on it, cut it and nail it together. Its that easy, BUT.....you have to try! This computer generation is so spoiled!
and unrealistic!

 

I use wheat straw. Bout $7 a bail at lowes. But we bring him in at night and kennelled. Easier wit one dog. Only do it cuz of stupid neighbors complaining bout nothn.

 

CBR man what up.Wheat straw is a good decision....We have peanut hay here is what we use for feeding cows...Very ,very nutricious.