What is best for bedding straw or Wood chips?

Hey guys was wondering your thoughts on bedding for winter time in dog house's.

I used to use straw but recently i have had a bad allergy reaction to the straw dust couple folks suggest wood chips just trying to gather any info thanks.

 

I use a combo of both straw and cedar shavings!

YIS

 

I use a mixture of red cedar and pine shavings...

works good for Tennessee...

 

I found on another board a while back that straw works really good because it's hollow and a good insulater. I had always used "pinestraw" because my dogs seemed to like it better, but going to try the wheat straw this year with some chips for good measure.

 

I like to use Red cedar ahvings for the pups and I use coastal hay for adults in the winter tme. Cedar throws off a nice odor

Cutt-

 

What region do you live in?.

Cedar,pine, or any "chips" will do absolutley nothing, in the way of warmth, for a dog living in a region where the temps dip low..Straw, and plenty of it, is the way to go..
In the summer months I use a layer of cedar chips in the houses, but come Oct. I switch over to straw..
Where do you get your straw?.Ive ran into this same problem, and it was because the farmer use to let his chickens walk,etc all over his bails of straw..As for the straw dust, I would say clean out the houses more often, not letting the straw tur into dust..

** I just noticed that you are from Cali..

 

I agree, for cold areas, straw is great. Get as good a quality as you can -- some of it can be moldy and dusty and you certainly don't want that. It can take some looking around. Look for bright yellow color, nice smell and straws that look long and whole (don't get straw that already looks broken up).

Stuff the doghouses with it and let the dogs overnight in it..they will pack it down some, then I add some more. It does need to be checked regularly. Try to position your dog houses so it doesn't get wet. Take out any wet straw and replace it. After a few weeks, it will get worn down to small pieces and dust and then you need to replace it.

When you do replace it, get it away from your dog areas. Any snow or ice you put it one will not melt til spring! It will keep the cold IN in that case!

Dreamer (has raised dogs in Wyoming AND Texas!)

 

I always use coastal hay always told it has the least allergiens of any hays

 

I do not know if you have these types there, but I use Eragrostis (purple lovegrass) or Teff. I buy it here in RSA at the local horse feed shops! It works well because it is very fine and compacts more than most grass types! Hope this helps!!!

 

Thanks for all the info guys im going to ask the feed stores see what kind of straw they carry .

 

straw here...

 

seen a dog who ate wood chips shit blood and die

 

Dry house dry straw packed full from halloween to easter. From easter to october run 4 yl6 inches of cedar......

 

straw here also

 

Used straw for years with those dogs

 

Straw for cold weather, chips for the summer.

 

pine shavings. add straw when the temp drops.

 

Down here ticks get in the straw and cedar shavings are too strong if your dog has sensitive skin (which a lot of APBT's are known to have). Pine shavings have always worked best for me.

 

I use bermuda grass, buy it in bales, it seems to the trick..