straw in kennel

[vandeman17]

I was wondering what you guys thought about me wanting to put some straw down in my lab's kennel to help her stay warm during the day. She is out in our fenced back yard and has a 10'x6' dog run with an igloo in it. The bottom of the igloo has carpet but with the temps getting down in the teens I am thinking she might need a little more warmth. Thoughts? She is out all day while at work but sleeps on a pillow on the floor inside at night.

[hrd2fnd]

I have found that cedar shaving works better for the warmth of my lab as well as keeping the flies in check

[bone collector 12]

we have 2 labs that sleep outside at night and we have straw in there dog house.it seems to keep them pretty warm all though its a pain to keep from getting all over the place but a cheap way too keep em warm

[low97ram]

A...

I have one of those kennels out back for my lab, and what i did was built a raised bed (about 6") and threw a big dog bed and blankets on top of it and she stays there when outside in her kennel.  was a good use of spare wood i had in the garage.

hope the season is treating you well.

the "other" pete   

[vandeman17]

A...

I have one of those kennels out back for my lab, and what i did was built a raised bed (about 6") and threw a big dog bed and blankets on top of it and she stays there when outside in her kennel.  was a good use of spare wood i had in the garage.

hope the season is treating you well.

the "other" pete   

That is a good idea. Her kennel is pretty protected but I want to enclose it a little more so that she can stay out of the wind if needed. It is cold right now but lucky for her it is sunny all day so I am sure she is just fine! 

[BIGINNER]

X 2 on the cedar shavings

[vandeman17]

the reason I am thinking straw is I already have a bale in my back yard that I used for when I was shooting my bow.... 

[hrd2fnd]

Unless the kennel is covered, you will have one wet dog and molding straw

[vandeman17]

I did build a roof over it and it is up against the house so it stays dry. I was thinking about building a form so that it would hold most of the straw and give her a place to lay. I envision a little kid's sand pit

[low97ram]

A...

I have one of those kennels out back for my lab, and what i did was built a raised bed (about 6") and threw a big dog bed and blankets on top of it and she stays there when outside in her kennel.  was a good use of spare wood i had in the garage.

hope the season is treating you well.

the "other" pete   

That is a good idea. Her kennel is pretty protected but I want to enclose it a little more so that she can stay out of the wind if needed. It is cold right now but lucky for her it is sunny all day so I am sure she is just fine! 

i took and built basically a roof over the top of the kennel that sort of laid/leaned on top of it, and made 2x4 legs to hold the weight, then tied on tarps to 3 sides with her door down wind.  we call it the DOGGY HILTON.

[Johnb317]

I'd put in a heated pad... not a pad but there are outdoor/industrial type things ..
run about 60 watts... saves on straw etc.etc.  front end more expensive but probably cheaper and better long term.

[dontgetcrabs]

X 2 on the cedar shavings

X3  My Shorthair has a nest of shavings he sleeps on.

[Skyvalhunter]

X3 cedar shavings

[Happy Gilmore]

build a simple square 2"x6" frame. Cedar chips then straw on top. Chips aren't hollow and don't provide a lot of insulation. Use chips down first to absorb moisture and straw on top of it when temps dip down. Makes the dogs a little "nest".

[Stilly bay]

Don't do it. its going to mold and if your lab is anything like mine its going to play hell with her skin.
I have seen a couple dogs that got UTI's from straw.

[Happy Gilmore]

Don't do it. its going to mold and if your lab is anything like mine its going to play hell with her skin.
I have seen a couple dogs that got UTI's from straw.

Never seen it get moldy in a dry kennel. Heck, they say it was good enough for baby Jesus?

[Stilly bay]

the reason I am thinking straw is I already have a bale in my back yard that I used for when I was shooting my bow.... 

Happy, it doesn't sound like the straw is perfectly dry to begin with...and wasn't Baby Jesus in Hay, not straw?

[bobcat]

If you can get an old wool blanket that would be good, and even if it gets damp your dog will stay warm.

[ghosthunter]

It never makes sense to me that guys will spend $500.00 plus on a lab pup and not spend $100.00 on good dog house.

Sorry

I have used straw my dogs entire life. She has a 12X13 kennel 1/2 under my carport roof. With a wood dog house in the dry side. Full of straw. The dogs likes to make beds. She will make a nest in the straw away fro the door. If it gets low 20s i move her in the garadge at night.

[Ridgeratt]

It never makes sense to me that guys will spend $500.00 plus on a lab pup and not spend $100.00 on good dog house.

Sorry

I have used straw my dogs entire life. She has a 12X13 kennel 1/2 under my carport roof. With a wood dog house in the dry side. Full of straw. The dogs likes to make beds. She will make a nest in the straw away fro the door. If it gets low 20s i move her in the garadge at night.

I used Self regulating heat tape that I installed under the floor of the dog house. Comes on around 32 degrees and is rated at 3 watts per foot cords ran out thru the back of the run and they never got to it but they always had a heated house.
Another alternative is to find an old metal coffee can or a large resturant style can. Mount a 4/0 round box in it with a keyless fixture then you can change the bulb as needed the colder the higher the bulb.

15 watt as it starts to get cold then move up to a 25 watt and if it gets real cold or you have a senior pet. They do enjoy a 25 watt lamp. the can is deep enough they can't get to the lamp and if your worried just bend a hunk of expanded metal and stick some screws in it.

[Happy Gilmore]

It never makes sense to me that guys will spend $500.00 plus on a lab pup and not spend $100.00 on good dog house.

Sorry

I have used straw my dogs entire life. She has a 12X13 kennel 1/2 under my carport roof. With a wood dog house in the dry side. Full of straw. The dogs likes to make beds. She will make a nest in the straw away fro the door. If it gets low 20s i move her in the garadge at night.

I used Self regulating heat tape that I installed under the floor of the dog house. Comes on around 32 degrees and is rated at 3 watts per foot cords ran out thru the back of the run and they never got to it but they always had a heated house.
Another alternative is to find an old metal coffee can or a large resturant style can. Mount a 4/0 round box in it with a keyless fixture then you can change the bulb as needed the colder the higher the bulb.

15 watt as it starts to get cold then move up to a 25 watt and if it gets real cold or you have a senior pet. They do enjoy a 25 watt lamp. the can is deep enough they can't get to the lamp and if your worried just bend a hunk of expanded metal and stick some screws in it.

No joking here, I had a friend who put a heat lamp in his dog house. It somehow came loose, landed on the bedding and started smouldering. Never caught fire but, the dog died of smoke inhalation.

[Ridgeratt]

You screw the can to the floor and then it doesn't tip over and they have something to curl up to. It equals Happy pet's!
This will go sideways but right now I have a insulated & heated cat house on the front porch. When I call her all I get is a cat's paw wave letting me know she is ok!
But "she" is one happy cat!

[akirkland]

My labs sleep on our bed while we are at work

[st8uppointers]

All i use is chopped straw, works great in there houses! wood chips [ cedar or pine ] are too messy and absorb way too much moisture, and stick the dogs like crazy.. All dogs need a DRY, WARM place to sleep and straw in their houses works perfect!

[CAMPMEAT]

My wife has heaters under all of the dog/cat houses. They work very well and you don't have to worry about a frozen sail dog/cat in the morning. Been doing it for years.