Owning a pet is a big responsibility. First, you have to make sure your pet has everything it needs, including a safe place to live. You want to make sure your furry friend is as comfortable as possible. You may be wondering if it’s safe to use wood shavings in your dog’s kennel.
Some people use wood shavings for dog kennels, but is this the right choice? Keep reading to find out.
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What is Wood Shaving?
Wood shavings are large pieces of wood that are broken down into smaller pieces or turned into sawdust. The pieces are used for a variety of purposes, including animal litter.
It is not an environmentally-friendly choice because the tree was likely to be cut down to make the wood shaving in the first place.
However, they may be better than clay or corncob litter.
4 Types of Wood Shaving
Wood shavings are made from:
- Pine
- Cedar
- Aspen/poplar
- Eucalyptus
If your pet is sensitive to allergies, you may not want to use wood shavings from cedar or pine because they can irritate your pet’s skin and eyes.
It is also safer to avoid eucalyptus since it’s poisonous for animals.
What are the Benefits of Wood Shaving?
There are several benefits to using wood shavings for your dog’s kennel. They work great as a natural absorbent and soak up any liquid in the area. It also helps control odor, which is excellent for you and your pet.
Wood shavings can be used in kennels, cages, and litter boxes. They are safe to use with any pet and won’t cause irritations or allergies.
Is Wood Shaving Safe for My Dog?
It’s important to do your research before using wood shavings in your dog’s kennel. Luckily, there are many positive reviews online from people who have used wood shavings in their kennel with no problems.
If your dog is not sensitive to allergies, you should be fine using wood shaving.
However, some people have reported that their dog developed an allergy or respiratory infection after using wood shavings.
If this happens to you, you’ll want to remove the shavings and replace them with something else to prevent health problems.
Is it Cheap to Use Wood Shaving for Dog Kennels?
It will depend on where you purchase the wood shaving. If you are buying it directly from a sawmill, you will pay significantly less than buying them through a pet store or online retailer.
You may also find suppliers who give discounts if you buy in bulk.
However, there are some drawbacks to using wood shavings. They can be dusty and messy, so you’ll want to ensure your dog is not exposed. Smooth wood shaving may also mold if they get wet or damp.
How Much Wood Shaving Consumed in a Large Dog kennel?
An average-sized dog house will need 2.5 to 3 pounds of wood shaving per week. If you have a wood shavings supplier in your area, then this is the best option for saving money.
Buying in bulk will also save you money if you use these shavings often or own several pets.
While for a small pet, you might need less than 1 to 1.5 pounds per week.
Is It Safe for Dogs to Chew Shavings?
There are some differences in opinion on this topic. For example, some people say that large animals can eat smaller shaving pieces, and it will come out in their stool.
However, others say that wood shavings can expand inside of an animal’s intestines and cause blockages.
So if you decide to use wood shaving for your dog, make sure they are larger pieces that are meant for outdoor use. You should also monitor them outside, so they don’t eat the shavings.
What Are the Alternatives to Wood Shaving?
There are alternatives to wood shaving that come from recycled products or other natural products.
1. Recycled Paper Products
One option is to use recycled paper products, such as newspapers. It should absorb just as well and will be easier on your dog if they have respiratory problems or allergies.
Newspaper can also be easily disposed of, making cleanup a lot easier for you.
2. Coconut Fiber
This material comes from the husks of coconuts that are ground into a fine powder. It is then compressed into bricks for easy storage and transportation.
Coconut fiber will absorb excess moisture while not becoming too damp or wet, which is great for dogs with respiratory problems.
Coconut fiber is biodegradable, so you can use it outside without worrying about it lasting for a long time. It is also non-toxic, so it can be consumed without causing health problems.
3. Straw
You’ll want to avoid using hay for your dog’s kennel because it can become muddy or damp if left outside. However, straw is another good option that will not foster mold growth.
To educate dog parents for proper bedding of dogs we recently add new educational resources Is Cedar Chips Safe For Dogs? and pine or cedar shavings for dogs these will give you a clear view of whether to use wood shaving for dogs or not.
While our experts also write on pine shavings for puppies as well as discuss solutions if dogs ate cedar shavings. Please read more to know more about cedar and its uses.
Conclusion
Wood shavings are a perfectly safe option for your dog’s kennel if your pet does not have allergies or respiratory complications.
However, shavings from cedar and pine may cause allergies, so make sure you do your research before purchasing these shavings.
However, if you are using wood shaving that does not cause allergies, it is safe for any dog breed or size.
Wood shavings can be found at most pet shops and even hardware stores. However, if you are looking to save money, you will want to purchase the wood shavings from a sawmill or supplier.