What Is The Best Bedding For Puppies ?
Bedding for a litter of pups is useful for a variety of reasons. Mom and the babies should be comfortable in their bedding. To keep everyone dry, it must absorb urine and other bodily fluids, and the bedding must retain some body heat. The "best" bedding for a litter of puppies is determined by their age, size, and any special requirements they may have.
Sand, wood chips, and even flat-lay newspaper are all viable options. Healthy dogs will not sleep in a dirty place, and many pups learn where to urinate and defecate very fast. Be prepared to change your bedding multiple times every day, regardless of the type of bedding you pick.
Is There Any Need for Bedding in a Dog House?
In most situations, bedding is probably not absolutely necessary; many dogs have lived for decades lying on the ground. However, I'm inclined to guess that you have a higher standard in mind than survival - you want your dog to feel warm, comfortable, and snug when resting in her home!
This necessitates the usage of high-quality bedding in your dog's home. It will be greatly appreciated by your dog, and it will keep her warmer and more comfortable than if she were forced to lie on the bare ground or on the cement.
Bedding also protects the flooring of dog homes with carpeted floors from scratches and scuffs. Your dog may be unconcerned with the appearance of his doghouse floor, but these sorts of damaged areas can decay fast, causing your dog's home to be destroyed.
It's also worth noting that certain states compel property owners to supply bedding, so double-check your local legislation.
Begin with a box
Consider the bed before you choose bedding. Most puppies will reside in a whelping box until they are able to see, walk, and explore, and they will gravitate to it for the most of the eight weeks or longer that they are in a litter. The size of the box will vary according on the breeds involved, but it should be tall enough to keep the puppies contained for several weeks. To keep the curious infants contained, use an exercise enclosure, pet gates, or other barriers. The whelping box's floor should be sturdy and watertight. If the box isn't watertight, use a rubber bottom liner, such as a floor mat or a carpet runner.
Inside-the-Box Thinking
Many breeders line whelping boxes with shredded newspaper, but others use towels and blankets, wood shavings, or even sand. During your puppy-raising journey, you should evaluate all alternatives and pick materials that meet certain demands at various periods. Breeders' bedding of choice is most likely shredded newspaper. It provides protection while allowing the puppies to move about freely. Newspaper is readily accessible and affordable, but the ink on the pups can rub off. Obtain end rolls, which are clean but not cut, if you reside near a printing press. Call ahead to see when they are available, since they are both free and ink-free.
House-Training for Elementary
When the puppies reach the age of four weeks, they will begin to stand up on their hind legs and walk. During this time, the puppies will require stable footing in order to maintain their balance. The pups' progress is aided by rubber padding under paper or cloth bedding. Some breeders introduce the subject of house-training at this time, and designate a piece of the whelping box for this reason. Some people line the bathroom part of the box with a different material than the sleeping area.
Bedding to avoid
When it comes to bedding for new puppies, avoid wood shavings and straw. Once the pups are 4 weeks old, you may start using wood shavings; if you start using them before that, the shavings may become lodged in their throats. If you're going to use wood shavings, aspen is the preferable choice. Pine and cedar oils are said to cause neurological harm in pups. Straw is hollow and can hold mites and other pests, so it's better to stay away from it when rearing pups.
Good items to use and details
Over the years, people have used a number of various things for dog bedding, with some proving to be more suited than others. The following are some of the tried-and-true materials:
Linens
A simple and effective bedding for your dog can be made from a nice blanket, sheet, or towel. Linens provide some comfort, and they don't make as much of a mess as particle beddings (such as wood chips) do, nor do they attract insects as readily.
Now you don't want to use your beloved duvet in your dog's house since she'll destroy it very quickly. Instead, look for a long-lasting dog-friendly blanket that you won't mind discarding after a few months of use (or years). Wash the blanket on a regular basis to maintain it as clean as possible and to avoid smells from forming.
Because blankets may serve as hiding places for spiders, snakes, and other creepy crawlies, it's a good idea to shake it vigorously once a week or so to avoid these issues. Inspect the blanket on a regular basis to make sure your dog hasn't ripped the seams or chewed the fabric. Dogs who ingest the filler substance (even inadvertently) may develop health issues.
Rugs
A beautiful, fluffy rug may be a great place for your dog to sleep. Rugs have many of the same advantages as linens, plus they usually have a rubberized back that keeps them from sliding about and protects them from dampness. Rugs, on the other hand, aren't as simple for your dog to curl up like a blanket, so they're not as good for really cold weather.
If you have a well-behaved dog who isn't prone to gnawing on things, a rug with a long/high pile (length individual fibres) will give you with more comfort and warmth. Chewers, on the other hand, should be provided with beds with short piles to prevent them from tearing the threads out.
You may use any rug (such as the one you'd put in front of your entrance or in your bathroom), but an indoor-outdoor rug that's made to withstand the weather will last longer.
Beds for Dogs
A dog bed is one of the more expensive alternatives for keeping your dog warm and comfortable at home, but it is far more effective than any other option.
Your dog will appreciate the comfort of a decent orthopaedic mattress (the Big Barker is a fantastic option for those who aren't afraid of the price tag) or the warmth of a heated winter bed, which can be self-warming or electric.
While there are some excellent bed alternatives, few dog beds are intended particularly for outdoor usage, and low-quality mattresses may quickly deteriorate if exposed to the elements for an extended period of time.
If you anticipate on your dog using the bed for numerous winter seasons, make sure it is sturdy - the cheap material won't last. You might also want to consider purchasing a water-resistant cover to protect the cloth.
Chips of wood
Wood chips, particularly cedar or pine chips, are another safe alternative for most dogs. Insect-repellent properties of cedar and pine chips help keep fleas and other pests out of your dog's home, and they also provide excellent insulation and comfort for your dog.
Cedar and pine chips provide a pleasant aroma as well. However, the same volatiles that give the scent are unpleasant to dogs with sensitive noses or respiratory systems, so keep a watch out for sneezing or other indications of lung or nose irritation.
It's worth noting that some cedar and pine beddings contain larger pieces or blocks of wood, while others have fine shavings. The shavings are a better choice since they are more comfortable for your dog - no one likes to sleep on a pile of hardwood pieces.
It's important to note that wood shavings should never be used with pregnant or nursing females, or in dog homes with pups. While bacteria in wood shavings is seldom an issue for people, it may make pups quite sick.
Bad items to use and Details
People have discovered a few wonderful beddings over time, but they've also discovered a few that don't. The following are a handful of the worst options:
Straw and Hay
Although hay and straw are common sleeping materials for animals, they are not good for dogs.
Fleas, as well as other pests, such as the mites that cause sarcoptic mange, love to live in hay and straw. After all, many of these items come from farms, where they are exposed to animal illnesses and other infections.
When hay and similar materials become wet, they decay rapidly and don't provide any of the benefits that wood shavings and other beddings give.
Hay and straw, on the other hand, can be used to add insulation to the exterior and underside of a dog home; however, we don't advocate placing any inside.
Dust from Saws
Fortunately, sawdust isn't a very common dog bedding; nevertheless, it is occasionally used with cattle, and I'm sure more than one owner has pondered if it might also make a nice dog bedding.
That'd be a no-no, ghost rider (am I old enough to make a Top Gun reference?).
While I can see the rationale behind the choice — it's inexpensive and comes from wood – sawdust isn't the best answer. I'm sure most owners who use it once swear they'll never use it again.
Sawdust is far too fine to be utilised as a sleeping material. It will clump together in your dog's wet cracks and crevices, as well as obstruct her eyes, nose, and mouth. It is not a really comfy area for dogs to sleep, and it is quite dirty.
In between options : Newspaper
In a pinch, newspaper can work as bedding, but you'll want to move on to a more permanent solution as soon as feasible.
I've used newspaper for whelping puppies since it's simple to toss and refill when it becomes dirty. If I were in the same circumstances again, I'd choose linens (though I'd consider them disposable as well - whelping was a horrible procedure for me).
Newspaper is quite harmless (although the ink may stain your pup's skin or fur), it's practically free, and it's highly absorbent, despite the fact that it falls apart after only a short time. If you like, you can shred the newspaper into long strips, but it's generally better to leave the pages whole.
To assist trap air pockets between the sheets, crumple the sheets and then level them out a little. This will add a little extra padding and keep your dog a little warmer. To offer as much comfort and warmth as possible, use a large stack of newspapers (imagine multiple Sunday editions).
FAQ
Is it necessary to change the newspaper bedding on a regular basis?
Changing your dog's newspaper bedding 2-3 times a day during birth is recommended. You are not, however, restricted to this number. If the newspaper becomes moist, it should be replaced to avoid it becoming chilly, ink seeping, and germs growing.
Is natural ground suitable for puppies that have just been born?
For a variety of reasons, natural ground is not suitable for newborn puppies. To begin with, the ground is cold, which poses a health risk to puppies who are unable to move well or properly regulate their temperature. Second, it is not a safe environment for your puppy. The ground might be filthy and unclean, allowing germs to spread and infect your puppies. Finally, because your pups' bones and spines are so delicate after birth, the hard ground may cause them to distort.
Can I disinfect the whelping boxes with disinfectant sprays?
It is really advised that disinfectant sprays be used to keep whelping boxes clean. Between bedding changes, clean the area by spraying it with disinfectant and wiping it down. This eliminates any dangerous bacteria and makes it possible to lay new bedding on a clean area. Just make sure the spray has been completely removed, since disinfectant residue may be an issue in and of itself. Your puppy or bitch might lick the wood or flooring, which could lead to ingestion. Although this is unlikely to be a problem for an adult dog, it might poison young puppies. This is why you should spray the area first, then wipe it clean with clear water.To avoid the area becoming damp and chilly, make sure to dry it afterward.
When should I switch from newspaper to towel bedding?
Once the puppies are able to move around freely, you can switch the bedding from newspaper to towels. When they're young, this helps to alleviate the fear of entanglement that comes with towels. However, just because your puppies are able to move around now does not mean your worries are over. Keep an eye on your pups and make sure their bedding isn't causing them any problems.