Suitable Bedding

[sagoxsago]

Have finally completed my out door runs/pens/ and will be moving the dogs out of the house into them. Basically they are just night pens with each dog having it's own kennel (made of Pine). I don't mind the dogs sleeping in the house, but lately visitors have been commenting on the 'doggy odour', and my wife has been complaining about allergies / chewed shoes etc. Three of the dogs sleep in crates in the house, so the move to kennels won't be so bad. I have a few questions relating to the dogs bedding. I have noticed that the puppies just shred blankets so I was wondering what alternatives are available. These are my questions:

1. What makes good bedding - (straw, shredded paper, saw dust, wood chips, blankets etc?) - I am based in South Africa, so a cold winter night seldom goes below 5 degree's celcius and very seldom below 0. I would bring them in if it was that cold.

2.How often must the bedding be changed?

3. What can the bedding be treated with to repel bugs, but not the dogs. Preferably homeopathic \ natural

[Judi W]

I suggest that you use bedding that can be washed and do so as needed. Straw and such harbor insects and can get quite dirty. Clean dogs and clean bedding BTW, rarely stink. As far as the pups go, old towels and/or old blankets that can be thrown away should work just fine until they grow up a tad.

[lblax]

cedar shavings make nice bedding and naturally repel bugs

[Judi W]

True as long as those pesky pups don't eat them. But do get the ones that are not chemically treated.

[samanthac]

How about Doggloos and hay. My Dad used to stuff the outside dog pens and boxes with hay during the winter months. They used to burrow down in it. It kept the dogs quite toasty and was inexpensive to replace and was never chemically treated.