Page 1 of 1

Kennel Bedding

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:18 am
by ckirsch
My two pointers have outside runs off the back of my attached garage, with dog doors providing access to the interior sections of their kennels, which contain wooden boxes in which to sleep, along with small adjacent areas where they can be fed and watered. The boxes' interiors measure 22 x 32, providing ample sleeping room. I built them with three inches of styrofoam insulation both above and below, and the garage itself has insulated six-inch walls, so the dogs stay pretty comfortable in the winter months, but I suspect they'd enjoy something softer to lay on than the plywood floors of the boxes. Unfortunately, they destroy anything I provide them for bedding. I've tried several types of dog beds, which were immediately shredded. Two or three types of rubber floor mats were quickly chewed up. I've considered wood shavings, but am concerned about them getting outside the boxes and making a mess on the garage floor. The dogs end up with callouses on their elbows and hocks from laying on the hard floors so much.

Anyone found a good chew-proof mat that might work for me?

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 10:13 am
by weimdogman
Believe I read somewhere that the Smiths worked hard at finding a perfect dog box / sleeping area. They found dogs preferred the round bed provided by a barrel laying on its side. Maybe get a large heavy plastic barrel and split it in 2 lengthwise.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:07 pm
by shags
Have you tried horse stall mats? If you cut them to fit snug into the dog box, it's pretty difficult for the dog to get a grip on to start the chewing.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:19 pm
by ckirsch
Some good ideas already. One of the dogs scratches through the box's flooring - I've had to replace the plywood twice in four years. Wondering if he'd scratch thru the horse mat as well. Also unsure that those matts offer enough cushion although they's be better than plywood. Worth a try for the $60-70 they cost

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 1:50 pm
by fishvik
I use straw with good results in my out door dog house. All three dogs and the cats all use it.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 3:50 pm
by shags
ckirsch wrote:
Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:19 pm
Some good ideas already. One of the dogs scratches through the box's flooring - I've had to replace the plywood twice in four years. Wondering if he'd scratch thru the horse mat as well. Also unsure that those matts offer enough cushion although they's be better than plywood. Worth a try for the $60-70 they cost
Shop around or wait for them to go on special, and you can get two for that price.
We have a horse that paws in the trailer, and he tore up the thin mat that came installed. Hasn't begun to ruin the 3/4 replacement mat. But ya know, pointers :P

Do your dog beds have deep sides and a deep front? If so, or if you can build them up 4-6 inches, you might be able to use a layer of shavings that won't get dragged out because the front 'wall' will act as a barrier.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:14 pm
by ckirsch
The doors on the boxes are about six inches up; so there is a substantial lip, but the way the one dog digs at his floor, I'd still guess he'd distribute most of the shavings out onto the floor. Frustrating to want to make them more comfortable and then have them stymie the effort.

Setters would probably never misbehave in that way....

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:23 pm
by polmaise
ckirsch wrote:
Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:18 am

Anyone found a good chew-proof mat that might work for me?
Cow/horse rubber matting 2 inch thick ,fitted perfect with no edges is more important than the product or the thickness or the name for it ......For You.
Regards
It works for me.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:28 pm
by cjhills
I used 3/4" thick cattle pads that can be cit to fit the kennels Can't remember the size.but I think I got fouror six 22X32 pads. They worked well as far asbeing chewed up. put I still had issues with sore hocks and elbows. Im did also use them in barrels. Same problem.don't know a cure. never seen 2" ones maybe they are softer......Cj

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:44 pm
by gonehuntin'
Marsh hay is one of the best bed dings out there and keeps the dogs smelling sweet.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:55 am
by ckirsch
Where does one purchase marsh hay? How long does it last before breaking down?

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 1:34 pm
by PoorMansWrangler
I thought I had some better pictures of what I use, but I don’t currently. The barrels were off Craigslist, pressure washed them out, cut a hole w/a lip on it, and cut up a 3rd barrel to make the overhang, and drilled hole in the bottom for drainage. I use pack them full of straw on the winter, and I build an insulated frame which the barrel slides into. The barrels are short enough to prevent my dogs from digging, but just tall enough for them to turn around in. I have had them in the barrels outside in 20 degree temps with no issues, I just make sure they have enough bedding. Barrels cost $10 off Craigslist, and nearly impossible to destroy. You could get fancy and add a mat to help block the wind, but my dogs would eat it most likely. Easy to clean,cheap waterproof (I have a roof) and I can slide them in and out of the insulated wood frames easy. Dogs seem to like them and spend most of the day in them while I am gone.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 1:35 pm
by PoorMansWrangler
weimdogman wrote:
Mon Jul 19, 2021 10:13 am
Believe I read somewhere that the Smiths worked hard at finding a perfect dog box / sleeping area. They found dogs preferred the round bed provided by a barrel laying on its side. Maybe get a large heavy plastic barrel and split it in 2 lengthwise.
I was told barrels help their hips as well, not sure if their is any truth to it though.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:42 pm
by ckirsch
Another good idea. I could use the barrels as per weimdogman's suggestion, cutting one in half and laying it in the wooden boxes. Could put some hay in there, I guess I could sweep up whatever they managed to kick out onto the floor.

Appreciate the ideas....

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 6:24 am
by Tenderfoot
I use horse stall mats cut to fit, then throw in grass hay. I’ve been told regular hay breaks down differently if eaten, for lack of better explanation other than it makes little sharp shards when in their stomach but grass hay is safer.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 6:28 am
by Tenderfoot
I’m not sure of they layout or room but if you can find a k9 Kongo dog den there chew proof, or I’ve also had good luck with an up lander dog house which is also “chew proof” though with some hard work, dedication and perseverance I’d guess anything could be chewed.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 1:45 pm
by gonehuntin'
ckirsch wrote:
Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:55 am
Where does one purchase marsh hay? How long does it last before breaking down?
I used to purchase it locally and change it weekly.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 12:22 am
by Roman Nose
I purchase cedar shavings by the bale from LCS. My dogs are chewers and don’t mess with the cedar Its some very nice bedding material and lasts a long time also. Might be worth a look.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:28 am
by weimdogman
I use the cedar bedding also. Available at most farm stores , or pet supply stores. Helps fight odor and has some bug resistance qualities.
Only downside is it clings to the dogs a little bit so it gets spread around some.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 11:59 am
by polmaise
ckirsch wrote:
Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:18 am
My two pointers have outside runs off the back of my attached garage, with dog doors providing access to the interior sections of their kennels, which contain wooden boxes in which to sleep, along with small adjacent areas where they can be fed and watered. The boxes' interiors measure 22 x 32, providing ample sleeping room. I built them with three inches of styrofoam insulation both above and below, and the garage itself has insulated six-inch walls, so the dogs stay pretty comfortable in the winter months, but I suspect they'd enjoy something softer to lay on than the plywood floors of the boxes. Unfortunately, they destroy anything I provide them for bedding. I've tried several types of dog beds, which were immediately shredded. Two or three types of rubber floor mats were quickly chewed up. I've considered wood shavings, but am concerned about them getting outside the boxes and making a mess on the garage floor. The dogs end up with callouses on their elbows and hocks from laying on the hard floors so much.

Anyone found a good chew-proof mat that might work for me?
Concrete they don't chew that . lol
...
In rapid city right now (30+ degrees) I would have 'no bedding' !! So everything is relative. Any bedding that absorbs water , (that could even be from the dogs paws) is going to get damp , and when that happens the dog will scrape ,and if it any material that is not 'loose' like hay/straw etc it will chew. Anyway's nobody is going to Not recommend what they use :wink:
If you have ever visited a veterinary practice in your area that houses dogs overnight or for several, what do they use ?

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:11 pm
by ckirsch
I'm not interested in bedding for warmth - I mentioned that my dogs have access to insulated quarters. My concern is that they are getting sores on their elbows and hocks from laying on the hard plywood.

My vet has plastic trays of some sort in the bottoms of the kennels in his practice, which are for short term use, and in climate controlled rooms, so I'm not sure they are relative to my situation..

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 9:27 am
by RayGubernat
gonehuntin' wrote:
Thu Jul 22, 2021 1:45 pm
ckirsch wrote:
Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:55 am
Where does one purchase marsh hay? How long does it last before breaking down?
I used to purchase it locally and change it weekly.
Marsh grass can be difficult to find. As I understand it, most marsh grass is purchased for use by landscapers and is treated with herbicide, so you don't want that.

If you live in a locale that has wet areas, you might find someone who grows and makes hay from Reed Canary grass. It grows in very long, flexible stems that take a long time to break down. If you can get some first cutting Reed Canary grass, it makes awesome bedding material and one bale goes a Loooooong way especially if you are not using it for insulation. Your county extension agent might be able to point you in the right direction.

I saw an ad, some time back, for red cedar ribbons. It was kinda pricey as I recall, but the stuff looked like it had a lot of spring and loft to it, so it might make a good base layer on top of the plywood.

Lastly, I think horse stall mats might be a good answer, but they are a SOB to cut. Been there, did that. The stuff they use as floooring in trailers is about half that thick and much easier to cut, but you will probably have to glue or screw it down.

RayG

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 10:37 am
by shags
We use a Sawzall or a circular saw to cut stall mats. Just don't plan on using the blade for anything picky again.
Ray, it seems to me I read something a few years ago about the cedar curls being toxic to dogs. I don't know the particulars about if that is true or not, but I'd be Googling before I invested in them.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 6:24 pm
by PoorMansWrangler
I’ve been curious about the cedar bedding Lion Country Supply sells, has anyone used them before? I like use straw currently, buy it always makes such a mess in the garage and gets tracked in the house

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:24 pm
by Coveyrise64
I use kennel flooring in my dog boxes and crates. Cut to fit easily with a sabre saw. The hole spacing helps to distribute their weight and reduces the surface area avoiding pressure points. Being rigid they cant pull up the corners and chew. I use it with bedding in the winter and summer time without bedding. During summer training it helps keep the dog cooler and a wet dog from laying in water after swimming.
Kennel_flooring.PNG
t

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2021 8:59 pm
by ckirsch
Thought I'd provide an update on this in case anyone else's dogs are having issues with pressure sores. I used Coveyrise's suggestion and it has worked like magic. Cut the panels down to fit over the plywood floors of the dogs' inside kennel boxes, and within a couple weeks they are pretty well healed up. I'm not sure if it works due to the plastic panels being smoother and having less friction than the plywood, or if the half-inch open squares provide pressure relief, but either way my dogs are better off.

Those Oklahoma boys know what they're talking about! Thanks Terry!

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2021 10:09 pm
by Garrison
shags wrote:
Sat Jul 24, 2021 10:37 am
We use a Sawzall or a circular saw to cut stall mats. Just don't plan on using the blade for anything picky again.
Ray, it seems to me I read something a few years ago about the cedar curls being toxic to dogs. I don't know the particulars about if that is true or not, but I'd be Googling before I invested in them.
I used my skilsaw a couple times and had the same results, worked but the rubber heats up and melts to the blade. I tried a good straight edge and a fresh blade in a utility knife with some muscle. With a few passes on top of a piece of plywood, I had a nice clean cut.

Re: Kennel Bedding

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 5:27 am
by Coveyrise64
ckirsch wrote:
Mon Sep 13, 2021 8:59 pm
Thought I'd provide an update on this in case anyone else's dogs are having issues with pressure sores. I used Coveyrise's suggestion and it has worked like magic. Cut the panels down to fit over the plywood floors of the dogs' inside kennel boxes, and within a couple weeks they are pretty well healed up. I'm not sure if it works due to the plastic panels being smoother and having less friction than the plywood, or if the half-inch open squares provide pressure relief, but either way my dogs are better off.

Those Oklahoma boys know what they're talking about! Thanks Terry!
Glad it worked out for you....!

t