I heard that it is but I was also told it has to be dry, what if the place that sells it had it uncovered and it got wet, can I still use it once it drys????
2007-12-10 10:53:07 · 24 answers · asked by Spud Pendelton 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, it is good in winter, but must be dry. The wet stuff will dry but it will be moldy, so not good for your dog to breathe.
The straw is a good insulator so will help keep the dog warm. It should be piled about a foot high.
Take it out for summer though as it will keep the dog from getting air circulation underneath to cool off.
2007-12-10 10:57:35 · answer #1 · answered by Pogo peeps 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
No, straw is not a good option for a dog house.
1. straw holds moisture...which can lead to fungus and bacteria...
2. It irritates the dogs skin
Cedar shavings is a far better alternative. It has a pleasant smell and it's a natural flea and tick repellant.
It doesn't hold moisture like the straw and therefore no fungus...You can easily buy it at walmart or tractor's supply stores.
I had a dog years ago that developed a fungal pheumonia. It had rained more than normal and we had straw in his house/pen...the straw trapped the moisture and was a breeding ground for the blastomyosis.
ADDED:
CanineLegion: Having grown up on a farm, and still farm to this day, I disagree with your statements. Straw WILL mold AND hold moisture...not to mention being an irritant to dog's skin. Straw is baled from wheat, which is prone to "wheat rust", believed to be carried in the air..would you REALLY want to expose your dog to that??? Cedar is MUCH safer than pine....pine has been shown to cause skin irritations and does not repel fleas/ticks as well as cedar, if at all.
When cedar gets wet, it does not mold.
Just because straw is cheap doesn't make it the right choice for dog bedding.
2007-12-10 19:09:02 · answer #2 · answered by zappataz ♠ Since 1999 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It'll never dry if baled, so don't use the once wet stuff. Straw is a good insulator and dogs seem to like it; just make sure it is deep enough to nearly bury them in it as they will make it into a nest.
EDIT: I see from the prior answers that people are getting hay and straw mixed up. Hay easily molds and packs when damp. Straw is rot resistant, resists molding, and wicks water through it (the top remains dry). Cedar chips are fine but cost more and do not insulate nearly as well. Cedar chips have been shown to be irritating to some dogs so pine chips are better.
2007-12-10 20:04:04 · answer #3 · answered by Caninelegion 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Growing up we had an outside dog and we always got bails of straw and stacked them around the house in the wintertime...the only side that didn't have bails of straw blocking it was the side with the door...and then we put some loose straw in the house...but I agree that buying dry straw would be best. And keep in mind there are still times where it's too cold to have the dog outside no matter how much straw is out there....
2007-12-10 19:03:12 · answer #4 · answered by silly 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would suggest using a cedar bedding, or some sort of dense foam for bedding. Straw is going to attract moisture, could attract fleas/ticks, and is very good at getting moldy.
I'm an animal control officer, and I always recommend cedar bedding of some sort. It works better for warming the dog, and is easier to clean. It also doesn't get wet and moldy like straw tends to.
2007-12-10 19:03:37 · answer #5 · answered by Grayline 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When straw gets wet it grows mold, unless you have something like sawdust to help it dry extra fast I wouldn't use it. So I wouldn't use wet straw.
2007-12-10 19:03:33 · answer #6 · answered by moosebow 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i ve had straw for my dogs and it works great use clean dry straw you dont like sleeping on a wet bed do you your dog doesnt either
2007-12-10 19:03:09 · answer #7 · answered by hill bill y 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
yes you can still use it. It is actually very good for dogs to help keep them warm in the winter, dry it out in your garage
2007-12-10 18:56:09 · answer #8 · answered by brina 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
HAY is not so irritating to skin,eyes-dont buy it wet and store in a dry place-also shredded newspaper is good
2007-12-10 19:06:57 · answer #9 · answered by blue dog 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
id make sure that your dog isnt allergic to the straw before you put it in the dog house.
make sure the straw isnt wet, and it should be changed if it is wet. straw holds heat so thats good, but you want to make sure it doesnt cause health problems for your little one.(or big one haha)
2007-12-10 22:27:00 · answer #10 · answered by Danielle 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋